Mankessim (C/R), April 9, GNA - A group of supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday embarked on a peaceful protest march to the offices of the party at Mankessim.

The march was to register their displeasure against "skirmish propaganda" by some of the Mfantseman West Constituency executives of the party to unseat Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, the Member of Parliament, for the area.

The protesters, led by Madam Adjoa Nkrumah, Okyeam Budu, Polling Station Women's Organiser and Madam Adagyer-Yena, the leader of Mankessim Market Second Hand Cloth Dealers' Association, threatened to vote "Skirt and blouse" in December general elections.

This means they would vote for NPP in the presidential election and vote for a parliamentary candidate of another party if Mr Asamoah-Boateng, who is also the Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, does not get the nod.

"Our fear is that we may lose the seat to our opponents if we do not field Mr Asamoah-Boateng. He has achieved a lot not only for his constituency but also for the Mfantseman Municipality as whole and we feel the only gratitude that we can show is to return him to Parliament for the second time", Madam Nkrumah said.

They condemned activities of some of the executives who, for personal interests, were frustrating the MP in his attempts to meet polling station executives who would form the Electoral College for the primaries.

The protesters said they were not against other people contesting the primary but the MP should be given fair treatment on account of what he had achieved for the area.

Mr Felix Nyarko Antwi, Constituency Vice Chairman who met the protesters, said everything possible would be done to address their concerns.

...Asamoah-Boateng seeks re-election

Saltpond (C/R), April 9, GNA - The New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for the Mfantseman West, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, has filed his nomination papers to seek re-election to parliament.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng is being challenged by Ms Victoria Florence Awuah, a tourism operator, and Mr Thomas Yamoah Paintsil, a lawyer who have both filed their papers.

Addressing supporters of the party at the fore-court of the constituency office at Saltpond shortly after presenting his papers Mr Asamoah-Boateng, who is also the Minister for Tourism and Diaspora Relations, said he was seeking re-election to enable him to pursue some uncompleted programmes he had initiated for the constituency and Mfantseman Municipality as a whole.

"I have come to you for the second time to seek your mandate to represent you in parliament because I want to pursue further some programmes I have initiated, some of which have reached advanced stages of realization," he said.

He called for unity among the rank and files of members and supporters so that they could embark on the big task ahead with undivided attention. The MP appealed to those who are 18 years and above but have not registered to do so when the voter register was opened in May.

Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Municipal Chief Executive, cautioned supporters against complacency since December general elections could only be won through hard work.

"No one should be deceived that the election will be won on a silver platter," he said and appealed to them to rally behind Mr Asamoah-Boateng because he had achieved a

lot for the area.