Koforidua, April 29, GNA - Three Ministers in the ruling Government were among four sitting New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Eastern Region returned unopposed to contest Election 2004 on the Party's ticket.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Abuakwa South; Minister of Finance and economic Planning, Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo, Oda; Minister of the Interior Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman, New Juaben North. Mr Kwabena Adusa Okerchire, Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee was also returned unopposed from the Nkawkaw Constituency.

A statement released by the Eastern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Nana Adi Ankamah, at Koforidua on Wednesday, said a total of 49 candidates filed nominations papers in the 18 constituencies where the NPP had sitting MPs.

The release said Mr Yaw Barima, MP for New Juaben South (formerly Koforidua), Minister of Employment and Manpower Development is being challenged by the Presiding Member of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly, Ms Beatrice Bernice Boateng, while Mr Felix Owusu-Agyapong, MP for Akim Swedru and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, has two opponents to contest with.

They are Mr Robert Kwasi Amoah and Mr Joseph Ampomah Bosompem. The Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Francis Osafo-Mensah and MP for Mpraeso is been challenged by a Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiatives (PSI) Mr Kwadwo Asiedu Afram while the Deputy Minister for Works and Housing and MP for Atiwa, Dr Charles Bempong-Yeboah also has a Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah to contest with.

In the Akropong constituency where the two-term sitting MP, Mr Agyare Koi Larbi, has decided not to run again, three aspirants, including the Government Spokesman on Finance, Nana Ohene Ntow, the NPP Press Officer, Mr Kwadwo Afari and Mr William Ofori Boafo, are to contest the seat.

The release indicated that there were five contestants for the Kade seat currently held by Mr Ofosu Asamoah.

Four each for Akwatia held by Mr Kiston Akomeng Kissi; Abetifi under Mr Eugene Atta Agyapong, Suhum under Mr Ransford Yaw Agyepong, Ayensuano held by Mr Godfred Otchere and Okere by Mr Bradford Daniel Kwame Adu.

Three contestants are vying for the seats in Lower West Akim with Mr P.K. Amoabeng as sitting MP, Akwapim South under Mr Seth Dankwa Wiafe and two for the Abirem held by Dr William Boakye Akoto. Nana Adi Ankamah said the new Ayirebi-Ofoase constituency's seat would be opened for grab when the Party's Executive and Office were in place by early May.

On the Lower Manya seat, he said two contestants including the District Chief Executive, Mr Andrews Teye, have had their nominations withdrawn for fresh ones on the orders of the National Executive due to the "rivalry between the two contestants", saying nominations there would close on May 7. 29 April, 04