Takoradi, March 9, GNA 97 A total of 45 New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirants in the Western Region have picked up nomination forms to contest the party's parliamentary primaries slated for April 30

The Western Regional Secretary of the party, Mr. K. K Sam, told the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday that the number included four women. Some of the MPs in the region who have picked nomination forms are the MP for Sekondi, Papa Owusu Ankomah, MP for Takoradi, Mr. Kobena Okyere Darko Mensah, Mr. Joe Ghartey, MP for Essikadu-Ketan, Madam Catherine Affeku, MP for Evalue Gwira, Mr. Samuel Johnfiah, MP for Ahanta West and Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, MP for Amenfi East. Mr. Sam said if by the close of nominations on March 18 no other aspirant pick up nomination forms at Essikadu-Ketan, Evalue Gwira and Amenfi East, the candidates would be returned unopposed. Mr. Sam noted that four parliamentary aspirants had picked nomination forms at Shama Constituency.

They are the former MP, Madam Angelina Baiden-Amissah, Mr. Samuel Erickson Abakah, a lawyer, Mr. Joseph Cantamanto Gabrah, a Human Resource Manager at the Ghana Rubber Estate and Mr. Ato Panford. At Sekondi, apart from the Papa Owusu Ankomah, two other aspirants had picked up forms. They were Mr. Andrew Mercer,a lawyer and Kwaku Sam Amoah.

At Takoradi the MP, Mr Kobena Okyere Darko Mensah, would battle it out with Madam Edna Nyame, a gender advocate. At Ahanta West constituency the MP, Mr Samuel Johnfiah, has four other contenders to battle with. They are Mr. Ebenzer Kojo Kum, Mr Charles Bissue, Mr John Kwesi Nyankey and Madam Henrietta Mary Eyison, a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast.

Mr. Sam appealed to the aspirants to conduct decent campaigns devoid of acrimony, mudslinging and bickering. He said the primaries would be conducted on a level playing field to ensure that the outcome of the result is accepted by all. Mr. Sam appealed to aspirants who might be disqualified to use the appropriate channel to address their concerns rather than resorting to the court.

He said the party had instituted Vetting and Appeals Committees to deal with issues that might crop up during the vetting and after vetting.