Chronicle Publisher Eyes Parliament

The absentee publisher of the Ghanaian Chronicle, Nana Kofi Coomson, has set his eyes on Parliament as the 2004 electioneering campaign kicks off. Though an Nkrumahist by family tradition, Mr. Coomson, The Heritage has established, would either contest as an independent candidate or ride on the back of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to political power.

Heritage investigations in the Western Region indicate that he is eyeing either Mrs. Gladys Asmah's Takoradi seat or the Effia-Kwesimintsim parliamentary seat now occupied by Mr. Joe Baidoe-Ansah. Both are NPP MPs. Interestingly, Mr. Coomson, who is keeping his cards close to his chest, has initiated some developmental projects in his target constituency by financing public toilets, The Heritage learnt.

And indications are that should he decide to contest on the NPP ticket, then depending on where he pitches his tent, Mrs. Gladys Asmah and Mr. Baidoe-Ansah would be in for tough political primaries.

His decision to contest Baidoe-Ansah's seat would mean a battle between two journalists who bear a grudge or two against each other at the primary. Contesting against Gladys Asmah could also prove nightmarish for the Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs because Kofi Coomson is arguably a local hero at Takoradi.

On the other hand, Gladys Asmah's popularity in the constituency seems to be fading fast as she, allegedly, had not delivered on her electoral promises. A recent visit to Takoradi confirmed this.

Sources at the NPP Headquarters when contacted feared that should Kofi Coomson go independent he could derail the party's aim of snatching the two seats yet again. They would therefore prefer he joined the NPP.

Talking of cash, Kofi Coomson should have no problem as his palatial three-star hotel at Takoradi alone employs some hundreds, not to talk of his other profitable business interests.