Accra, June 17, GNA – As the build-up to the New Patriotic Party’s Parliamentary primaries enters the home-stretch, things are looking good for the sitting MP for Tema West and Deputy Minister of trade, Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah.
Majority of the party’s delegates in Tema West have endorsed Ahenkorah for a second term, scattering further, the meager chances of two non-heavy weights contesting him.
“We met, had a frank discussion and the unanimous consensus was that, you do not change a winning team. Therefore, for 2020, the Tema West election ticket will carry President Akufo-Addo and our MP, Carlos Ahenkorah again,” Mr Jeremiah Quarshie, Polling Station Secretary for Dzata-Bu electoral area told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.
According to him, delegates from around the constituency felt it would be a great idea for Mr Ahenkorah to go unopposed, “so that it would re-inforce his winsomeness, but the NPP is a democratic party and so everyone must be allowed to exercise their right to stand for election even if it is a complete waste of time.”
Mr Ahenkorah is being challenged by Keku Amquasia Armuzuah, Secretary to the Junior Staff Association of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and Kwesi Poku Bosompem, Assembly Member for Sakumono Estates Electoral Area.
The two, though not as strong as the incumbent may also be using the opportunity to market themselves to delegates for possible future contest.
“What they are doing has really annoyed many delegates because we wanted to go into this election with a united front, but they have spoilt the plans with the contest that is giving our opponents, the NDC, the opportunity to do propaganda that even within his own party, people want Carlos out,” Mr. Quarshie said.
According to him, “there is no way anybody will reject Carlos for any other Parliamentary Candidate.
“Compare others to Carlos, who has been funding this party since its inception. As MP, the roads that he has built, the jobs his company like Carloking gives people…you just ask around the Constituency and the women that he has trained in bakery, soap making and other employment skills, will testify, the students he has supplied books and mathematical sets to, will testify,” Mr. Quarshie said.
He touted Carlos’ achievements as MP; “As Deputy Minister, he never ceases to defend the President and our party in the media. In our Constituency, the youth adore him because of his openness and resourcefulness; he is constructing an Astro-turf for them, he is beloved by the Zongo communities because of help and development; there are many Muslims for instance, who are Alhajis because Carlos helped them to go to Mecca.”
“Look, when we the delegates met, the meeting did not take long, majority of us agreed that our MP and President Akufo-Addo are our winning formula. The few who did not go with the majority also said they were only sitting on the fence.
Meanwhile, Ms Mariama Offei-Kwakye, Polling Station Women’s Organizer of the NPP confirmed the delegates’ decision to re-elect Carlos Ahenkorah.
GNA