General News of Monday, 7 July 2014

Source: The Informer

Akufo-Addo files at 4pm today

As the clock ticks signaling the deadline for the filing for nomination for the flagbearership position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Akufo, the twice defeated presidential candidate of that party, is expected to file his nomination by 4pm today.

Even though Doctors observing Nana Addo advise him to step aside, the 'Olele' of Ghana politics is hell bent on appearing on the Electoral Commission (EC) ballot paper for the third time.

Also, information gathered by The Informer indicates that Mr. Joe Ghartey, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Essikado Ketan Constituency in the Western Region will also be filing his nomination around midday.

However, insider information picked up by this paper has it that, Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, a former Minister for Information, may not be filing his nomination to contest as NPP flagbearer, after all; as he had earlier made well meaning Ghanaians believe after picking his nominations forms at the Party Headquarters.

It was not readily available the reasons Mr. Asamoah- Boateng may have assigned for not being able to file in spite of the noise about he being the David to defeat Goliath. But a source close to him has cited the recent decision by President John Dramani Mahama to send Mr. Aquinas Quansah, the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman West to the Central Region as a Minister, may be the cause for the sudden u-turn by his boss (Asabee).

“My boss believes that with Ghc75,000 he can campaign effectively to regain the seat to become an MP, rather than going for a position the party delegates will not vote for him to,” the source stated; adding, it will be a miracle if Asamoah Boateng files by close of day to contest the flagbearership slot of the NPP.

However, information picked up from the party head office in Asylum Down, Accra, has it that Mr. Alan Kyerematen, a former Minister for Trade and Industry and twice-defeated flagbearer aspirant, has filed his nomination to contest the December 2014 flagbearership slot of the party.

Editors Note: We will not be surprised at all that Mr. Asamoah Boateng, in pleasing his fans can go ahead to waste his money; but must be mindful of the axiom of “town gentility; home cry”.