Politics of Friday, 4 September 2015

Source: dailyguideghana.com

Baba Jamal faces stiff competition

Mohammed Baba Jamal, MP for Akwatia Mohammed Baba Jamal, MP for Akwatia

A renowned consultant, Basil Ahiable, has vowed to unseat Mohammed Baba Jamal, the incumbent MP of the Akwatia constituency in the Eastern Region, in the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) slated for 7th November.

Mr Ahiable hinted that Baba Jamal has done his best for the people of Akwatia, but has failed to maintain unity and peace in the area, accusing him of rather creating confusion among the constituents.

Baba Jamal and Basil Ahiable have both picked nomination forms to contest for the seat.

NDC youth and other constituency executives have also accused Baba Jamal of many wrongdoings and have vowed to oust him in the upcoming primaries. Among other things, they faulted his style of leadership, describing it as unattractive and incapable of winning more votes for the NDC in 2016.

Also, some of the party’s bigwigs have thrown their weight behind Basil Ahiable to unseat Baba Jamal.

Mr Ahiable, after picking his nomination forms, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, said that “I have soundly considered the request from my constituents to offer better leadership to give them hope for the future. I have finally decided to heed their cry and have picked my nomination forms to contest and unseat Baba Jamal.”

According to him, with the massive support he has, when given the nod he will make sure the NDC retains its seat by a wider margin, adding that his leadership style would unite the party and the constituents to pursue a common goal.

Mr Ahiable indicated that the constituents are tired of Baba Jamal’s attitude and that he is the only saviour for the youth of Akwatia. He therefore entreated all the party supporters to rally behind him for victory in 2016.

More Pick Forms

Following the opening of nominations for the parliamentary primaries of the NDC, many NDC aspirants have trooped to pick nomination forms in the 33 constituencies in the region to represent the party in 2016.

The Municipal Chief Executive for East Akyem, Simon Peter Asirifi, who could not pick forms in 2012 to contest his former boss, Victor Smith, because he was allegedly asked not to do so, has picked his forms to contest in Abuakwa North. The District Chief Executive of Asuogyaman, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, has also picked his nomination forms to contest in the Asuogyaman constituency.

Akuapem South District Chief Executive, Winston Kojo Afari Djan, has also joined the race at Akuapem South.

The National Women’s Coordinator of Youth for Mahama and immediate past Women’s Organiser of the NDC in Lower West Akyem, Shirley Naana Ampem, also picked and instantly submitted her forms to contest in the constituency primary.

Similarly, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mavis Ama Frimpong, and the Deputy Regional Youth Organiser of the NDC, Haruna Apaw-Wiredu, have also picked forms to contest in the Abirim and New Juaben North constituencies respectively.