Accra, March 31, GNA - Hundreds of supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ayawaso West Wugoon Constituency on Monday defied the early morning rain to march through some principal streets to demonstrate their support for parliamentary candidature of Mr George Isaac Amoo.
The supporters dressed in "T" shirts with the portrait of Mr Amoo in front with the caption "Sankofa George Isaac Amoo," danced and sang as they marched with the backing of brass band music to the designated centre for the filing of nomination papers to officially complete the process for contesting the primaries.
Elated Mr Amoo pledged to donate 2,000 Ghana Cedis towards the organisation of the Constituency primaries and 10,000 Ghana cedis and a pick-up for the general elections to ensure that the party won both the presidential and the parliamentary polls by a wide margin. In accordance with the NPP Constitution, Mr Amoo submitted the nomination form attached with photocopy of his passport, voter identification card, NPP membership card and certificate of being a founding member and payment of cash of 1,000 Ghana cedis being nomination fees.
Mr Amoo, former MP for the Constituency from 2001 to 2004, assured the supporters and sympathizers of the party in the constituency that; "I have learnt my lessons; I am ready to join hands with all our foot soldiers for total development." He assured the electorate that the stakes for Election 2008 were different, therefore the party needed a new messenger to carry their message.
"We must adopt a new campaign strategy for annexing power in the constituency.
"The ground rules have changed from the electoral realities of 2000 and 2004, from an opposition party to a governing party with the aim of winning power for the third consecutive period. "This is a history making election that demands a well thought out campaign strategy based on issues and not mere political rhetoric and noise. People are fed up with promises and assurances." Mr Amoo therefore appealed to all the electorate to support his candidature for victory in the general polls. He also apologised to all constituency executive members, foot soldiers and rank and file whom he might have wronged. According to officials from the Constituency, only Mr. Amoo and Mr Abraham Obeng Amoakohene picked nomination forms at the Constituency Office.
It was not certain whether the incumbent MP, Mrs Akosua Frema Opare would seek re-nomination. According to Article 11 of the NPP Constitution the qualification for contesting parliamentary primaries are that the aspirant must be a known and active Member for at least two years and be a registered Member and voter in the Constituency which he or she seeks to represent. Other yardsticks are that the aspirant must have a good character, be in good standing, have paid the prescribed fee for Parliamentary Candidates by the deadline set by the National Executive Committee, qualified under the electoral laws to be a Parliamentary Candidate for the Constituency and have signed the Undertaking for Parliamentary Candidates.