By James Esuon
Swedru (C/R), August 23, GNA- Some women at the Swedru Market have protested the decision by the Agona West Member of Parliament (MP), Mrs Cynthia Mamle Morrison to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections as an independent candidate.
The women described the move by the sitting MP who lost the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primary as “diabolic, wicked, selfish and a betrayal” to the ruling NPP.
They also see it as an attempt to disrupt and disorganise efforts of the party to retain the seat in the December 7, polls.
Addressing a press conference at Swedru in the Agona West Constituency to register their displeasure, Madam Charity Dankwa, spokesperson of the women said the decision was “sad” saying she was being “ungrateful.”
She said the women were not comfortable with the step taken by MP to go solo and called on the national, regional and constituency executives of the party to intervene to salvage the party from losing the seat to the opposition NDC in the December 7, polls.
On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the MP broke the news about her decision to contest the parliamentary elections as an independent candidate when she interacted with some supporters of the party at Upper Bobikuma.
The MP also said she had unfinished work to satisfy the people of Agona West, hence the decision.
According to Madam Dankwa, they were baffled because per the constitution of NPP, the National Executive Committee (NEC) fixed April 13, 2024, to conduct a parliamentary primary to elect a Parliamentary candidate (PC).
She said the constituency executives therefore conducted a free and fair primary which the sitting MP contested but lost.
Madam Dankwa said the women were highly disturbed and disappointed in the MP because in the 2016 and 2020 elections, market women at Swedru supported her candidature and that of President Akufo-Addo and they both won massively.
The spokesperson said the MP was appointed by President Akufo-Addo as Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection and served as a Cabinet Member who had enough benefits from the government, and it was unfortunate that Mrs Morrison was trying to stab the party in the back.
Madam Dankwa urged the MP to throw her weight behind the parliamentary candidate of the party and stop being mischievous because when she won, her opponents did not contest as independent candidates.
The spokesperson expressed optimism that the Presidential Candidate and the national executives of the party would swiftly intervene by persuading the MP to stop her move.
Mr Chris Jojo Arhin Arthur was elected as PC after contesting four people including Mrs Morrison.
GNA