Offinso (Ash), Oct 2, GNA - Dr Owusu Achaw Duah was on Sunday given the nod to contest on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Offinso South parliamentary by-election scheduled for October 24. Dr Duah, a medical practitioner, had the nod when his other contestants withdrew their candidature during a constituency congress to elect one of them to represent the Party in the election.

The other contestants were Mr Kwame Duodu Bonsu, Immediate Past Chairman of the Party in the Constituency, Mr Yaw Amanpame and Mr Kwabena Konadu-Yiadom, both legal practitioners. The election became necessary following the death of Mr Kwabena Sarfo, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency on august 11, 2006.

When the three made their intentions known at the congress, Mr Kwabena Asante-Boahen, the Offinso District Electoral Officer, told the delegates that the turn of events had rendered the elections to choose one of them unnecessary.

He said by-election was one of the most difficult activities of the Electoral Commission (EC) due to the short nature of its organisation and called on them and the other parties that would contest for the seat to co-operate with the EC to ensure a successful and peaceful election.

Addressing the Congress, Dr Kofi Konadu-Apraku, MP for Offinso North, said victory for the Party in the by-election was not only to honour the late MP but also to rekindle the prowess of the Party after losing the by-election at Asawase and Odododiodoo constituencies.

'We are hopeful that you are going to mobilise the electorate to vote massively for people to know that the Party is still on its feet', he said.

Mr Peter Mac-Manu, National Chairman of the Party, said the Party had succeeded in ensuring peace and unity in the country and was sure that everybody would turn out to vote during the by-election to prove to the whole world that the NPP was the greatest party in Africa. He said the smooth and peaceful congress was an indication that they were going to have an overwhelming victory over the NDC.

Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, MP for Asokwa, called on the polling station chairmen, secretaries and all members of the Party to campaign vigorously for overwhelming victory for the NPP.

Mr Lord Commey, National Organiser of the Party, said he was not going to be pushed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to go on the defensive of their propaganda and that he would do everything possible to meet their aggressiveness.

He called on the security agencies to work professionally to facilitate peaceful atmosphere for a successful free and fair elections. Dr Duah in his acceptance speech thanked the delegates and those who withdrew, for the honour done him and said he would work hard to help to provide the felt needs of the people.

He urged them to support him in the campaign to ensure massive victory and success for his efforts.