By Dennis Peprah, GNA
Sunyani (Bono), July 1, GNA – Mr Maxwell Mahama, one of the aspirants who was disqualified from contesting the New Patriotic Party (NPP) constituency elections in Sunyani East has petitioned the Bono Regional Steering Committee of the party.
Mr Mahama who filed nominations to contest for the Sunyani East Constituency Secretary position, asked the committee to recuse Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, as the Chairman of the Constituency Appeals Committee.
Mr Mahama was among the five aspirants who were disqualified by the vetting committee from contesting the NPP’s constituency elections, scheduled for July 11 and July 12, 2026.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA) learnt that the party set up the Appeals Committee, chaired by Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh, also a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East to address concerns emerging from the vetting of the aspirants.
Copies of the petitions were sent to the General Secretary and the Constitutional and Legal Affairs of the NPP, Accra.
“My application is founded on the well-established principle of natural justice that no person should be a judge in his own cause and that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done,” it stated.
A copy of the petition made available to the GNA in Sunyani indicated that: “The reasons for my disqualification were among other reasons, that I had allegedly insulted Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh”.
“He therefore becomes a central figure in the very allegations forming the basis of my disqualification and in these circumstances, his participation as Chairman of the Appeals Committee gives rise to a reasonable apprehension of bias,” it added.
The petition stated that: There has been a long-standing history of disagreements between Ameyaw-Cheremeh, and me.
Around 6th October 2020, he publicly accused me, through Nimdee FM 95. 1, Sunyani, and a publication carried by GhanaWeb, of stealing timber from Sunyani to Burkina Faso”.
He subsequently volunteered a statement before the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) concerning my alleged involvement in the seizure and illegal sale of lumber”, the petition stated.
It added that: “Following independent investigations, CHRAJ exonerated me of those allegations, and I intend to tender the Commission’s report before the Appeals Committee for its consideration”.
The petition stated that: “In addition, I recently initiated reconciliation efforts by sending two respected individuals to meet Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh with the objective of restoring cordial relations between us, unfortunately, those efforts were unsuccessful”.
It stressed that: “These circumstances, viewed cumulatively, create a reasonable perception that I may not receive a fair and impartial hearing if Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh presides over my appeal”.
The petition added that: “My request is therefore made not out of disrespect for his office but solely to preserve the integrity, fairness, and credibility of the Party’s internal appeals process”.
It prayed for the steering committee’s intervention by directing Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh to recuse himself from “hearing my appeal and that another impartial person be appointed to preside over the Appeals Committee” in the interest of justice and fairness.
The petition assured that the petitioner remained dedicated to the ideals, unity, and democratic principles of the NPP and expressed the confidence that the petition would receive favourable consideration.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo
Reporter: Dennis Peprah
Email: [email protected]