Pious Kwame Nkuah emerged as the sole candidate to contest the upcoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries in the Akontombra Constituency, as two of his fellow aspirants were disqualified during the vetting process.
The five-member vetting committee, composed of Dr. Tanko Computer (NEC Member), Kingsley Bennie Sq (Legal Team Member), Michael Aidoo (NDC, Western North Regional Chairman), George O. Danquah (NDC, Western North Regional Secretary) and Ofosu Adawia (Council of Elders) meticulously scrutinized the qualifications of the three aspirants: Pious K. Nkuah, Mumuni Issah, and Herod Cobbina.
After deliberation, the vetting committee found the former District Chief Executive of Akontombra, Pious K. Nkuah qualified to contest, while NDC 2020 Parliamentary Candiadte Mumuni Issah and former Member of Parliament for Akontombra Constituency, Herod Cobbina were both disqualified.
George Ofori Danquah, the Western North Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), shed light on the situation, explaining, “The party issued a release last year to organize our party presidential and parliamentary elections in March. However, the Sefwi Akontombra Constituency Elections were put on hold due to some special issues. Just last week, the party gave us the go-ahead to conduct the parliamentary candidate elections on the 28th of October after vetting.”
George Ofori Danquah continued, “We were facing some challenges and had to shift the vetting to the 15th of October. Fortunately, we have successfully concluded the vetting process. Of the four candidates who initially picked forms to contest, only three were able to file their nominations.”
George O. Danquah characterized the vetting process as highly successful, emphasizing that the proceedings were now complete, and the NDC was well-prepared for the upcoming elections in the Sefwi Akontombra Constituency.
According to him, despite the disqualifications, the affected candidates have the right to appeal their cases.
The appeal committee is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, October 17th, to address any appeals.
Following the vetting, Pious K. Nkuah expressed his readiness to represent the NDC in the Akontombra Constituency, saying, “In the NDC constitution, I have been cleared to contest on the premises. The two people who wanted to contest alongside me have been disqualified by the panel’s decision, but our party laws give them the right to appeal within a certain period of time. If they appeal and are disqualified again, then it means I am going unopposed.”
He further added, “I am the NDC parliamentary candidate for the Akontombra Constituency. With this opportunity, I don’t want to be just a parliamentary candidate; it’s a hard-working position, and I will involve everybody because we are one.”
Pious K. Nkuah emphasized his commitment to the unity of the party, stating that he would seek advice and collaborate with his fellow party members, whether he runs unopposed or faces a contest in the parliamentary candidate’s elections.
