Sekondi, May 5, GNA - Delegates of the Sekondi and Takoradi constituencies of the NPP held separate meetings at Sekondi and Takoradi on Saturday to elect their parliamentary candidates for the December general election.

Papa Owusu Ankomah, the Member of Parliament, pulled 45 votes to beat Mr Gad Cobbinah a lawyer, who had 18 votes to be retained as the party's candidate for Sekondi.

A third contestant, Mr. Kweku Sam Amoah, withdrew from the race in favour of Mr. Cobbinah.

At Takoradi 35 of the 78 delegates voted for Mr Kwabena Okyere-Darko Mensah, a businessman, to be the NPP candidate for the constituency.

His closest rival Madam Janet Edina Nyame, Western Regional Director of the Women's Department of the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, pulled 25 votes.

Three other contestants Mr. David Okruw Aidoo had 15 votes, Mrs. Ellen Sweetie Sowah, Regional Rirector Legal Aid Board, 2 votes, and Mr. Patrick Amoateng, 1 vote.

Mrs. Gladys Asmah, who had been the MP for Takoradi for 3 conservative terms, decided not to contest in the upcoming election. The election was conducted by the Electoral Commission and supervised by some leading members of the party led by Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Minister of Ports and Railways. She thanked the delegates for comporting themselves to ensure a smooth and peaceful elections and advised supporters and sympathizers of the party to remain loyal and prepare for the task ahead to ensure that the NPP retains power.

She urged losing contestants not to feel bitter but close their ranks, unite and plan for victory in the December elections. Mrs. Asmah thanked delegates and constituency executives who stood behind her as the MP for the area and asked them to extend the same to Mr. Darko-Mensah to enable the NPP to retain the seat.