Ofosu Ampofo Battles Medie
Political Monitoring Desk
As the ruling National democratic Congress opens the leeway for parliamentary primaries in “Orphan Constituencies,” keen and robust competition is expected in most areas.
One of such hotspots is Tema West Constituency where current Local Government Minister, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo comes face to face with Mr. George Medie, a man described by many as NDC’s veteran soldier, having stood on the thicket of the party in both the 2004 and 2008 elections.
Though two other candidates are considering joining the race, political pundits in the constituency have labeled the show-down a tw-horse race between Messrs Ampofo and Medie.
The two camps are said to be jostling for power among the delegates in all the branches though party gurus are yet to issue a date for vetting and special congress for the vote.
In a political news write-up in the Daily Dispatch, self-acclaimed pollster Ben Ephson sounded the alarm bell that the event of a Samuel Ampofo victory is not a complete guarantee for NDC to snatch the seat currently in the hands of Lawyer Naa Toshie Addo of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The camp of Mr Ampofo has claimed to be very resourceful, saying that the Minister is the only deserving candidate ready to snatch the seat for the NDC.
Many are those who have questioned the move by Mr. Ampofo on the premise that he is relatively unknown in Tema West.
However, the Minister maintains that as a party person who has helped a lot, he is more than deserving to stand on the ticket of the NDC.
Parrying concerns that he should go back to Fanteakwa Constituency where he lost out miserably on the NDC ticket, Mr. Ampofo said his hard work for the party in general and for the Tema West is eloquent testimony which lends credence to his desire to stand in Tema.
His challenger, Mr. George Medie insists Mr. Ampofo does not have the high ground to rescue the seat for the NDC.
“I am already marketed. I am with the people, they believe in me, they know me. So Mr. Ampofo is welcome but I will deal with soundly on voting day,” he told Ghana Daily.
Mr. Medie also claims his work in the constituency is there for everybody to see.
He quipped, “I am therefore definitely qualified to go for the third time.”
In an interview with this paper, Mr. Medie admitted that Mr. Ampofo has contributed his bit to the party but described him as “a total stranger and foreigner when it comes to Tema politics.”
“I have the key to unlocking the door to parliamentary victory in Tema West. If you look at 2008 elections, we won this seat but the NPP stole it. This time we are going to be on guard. I am going to win,” he said.
351 delegates including constituency executives are expected to cast their ballot to determine who gets the nod to lead NDC in Tema West.