According to him, though he had doubts about his chances, he hoped the delegates would change their minds and vote for him. 

The former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Mayor said he knew from the onset that beating Mr Mahama was an uphill battle. 

“To be honest, I didn’t believe I could beat former President Mahama from the start, but I was hoping that maybe people would change their minds and vote for me,” he said in an interview with Citi TV on Tuesday, May 23. 

Former President John Mahama won the flagbearer primaries to lead the National Democratic Congress into the 2024 presidential election.

Mr Mahama polled an overwhelming 297,603 votes representing 98.9% of the total valid votes cast at the end of the NDC primaries on Saturday, May 13. 

His only contender, the former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu, polled a paltry 3,181  representing 1.1%.

The other contender in the NDC flagbearership race, former Finance Minister in the Mills regime, Kwabena Duffuor, pulled out on Friday, May 12. 

This is the fourth time Mr Mahama will be leading the NDC into an election.

ALSO READ:

• Amasaman: 12-year-old boy brutally killed, tongue removed; Neighbours arrested [Video]
• Sam George reveals family connection with Rebecca Akufo-Addo [Audio]
• Five burnt to ashes in crash on Techiman-Kintampo Highway

The aspirant, who spoke to JoyNews at the election venue at Vodza, said Keta needs a servant-leader to bring the needed development to the constituency.

According to him, once he has carried out several developmental projects with others ongoing, he expects the voting to go his way to enable him to do more for the constituency.

He says a servant-leader should be able to make sacrifices for his or her people by spearheading the needed development.

He noted that he has changed the narrative in the constituency by getting important projects like construction of bridges, water infrastructure, and health facilities among many other projects to the Keta constituency instead of promising to do such projects only after he is voted for.

“A servant leader must be able to help grow the community by bringing developmental projects and not just promising the people. I have changed the narrative and I am sure of victory today,” he said.

ALSO READ:

• Doe Adjaho, Asiedu Nketia saved me – Prof Frimpong-Boateng [Audio]
• NDC primaries: Kojo Bonsu backs Duffuor’s call to postpone elections
• Spio-Garbrah’s son joins NDC parliamentary race

Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle , Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, received loud cheers from NDC delegates when she showed up at the polling station to cast her vote. This will be her third term if she wins the primary and subsequently the 2024 general election.

According to him, despite Team Duffuor’s claim that the suit is for the benefit of the delegates, many of them have already made plans ahead of the primaries and believe they will be greatly affected should the injunction be granted.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, Mr Amaliba said “Indeed the delegates are livid at the action brought by Dr Duffuor. Our phones have been ringing all day and delegates have started moving to their centres. Those in island communities, who have to travel by river for a day and then go sleep over, have started moving, so, if you look at the combined effects and hardship, surely it is the party that will suffer.”

He added that “the delegates know how to resolve their issues so if they were excluded from any of the planning they would have petitioned the party. So this action is for their (Dr Duffuor and his team’s) benefit alone. This action is mischievous, frivolous and meant to thwart the effort of the NDC.”

This comes after Dr Duffuor, an aspirant of the presidential primaries on Tuesday, filed a suit against the party following what he says are some discrepancies his team has identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.

In a writ filed at an Accra High Court, Dr Duffuor indicated that the party failed to provide the required photo album register five weeks before the elections in accordance with the party’s rules.

Dr Duffuor added that despite his request for a postponement of the elections until a full photo album register is secured, the party has failed to heed his request.

Thus, he is asking the court to grant an interlocutory injunction to restrain the party and sued persons – General Secretary, Election Director, co-contestants John Mahama and Kojo Bonsu, and the Electoral Commission – from holding the elections scheduled for May 13.

Following the suit, Electoral Commission (EC) said it will not supervise primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 13, until all legal issues associated with it are resolved. 

According to the EC, going ahead to organise the primaries will be disrespecting the judiciary since it amounts to contempt of court.

Meanwhile, Mr Amaliba said that the party’s application or abridgement of time has been granted. Thus, the hearing of the injunction case that was initially scheduled for Monday, May 15, has been moved to Friday, May 12.

“We actually wanted Thursday but the registry indicated to us that that is difficult because of some issues relating to scanning of the processes that will have to take place. And the judge who is going to preside must have fore knowledge of the process, so the available time has been fixed for Friday,” he noted.

READ ALSO:

• NDC primaries: Kojo Bonsu backs Duffuor’s call to postpone elections
• Spio-Garbrah’s son joins NDC parliamentary race
• Dad calls it a curse, mum thinks pastors will help, I believe there’s something wrong somewhere

As it seeks to capture power and take over the administration of the country, there is a huge focus on the Volta Region, where its electoral fortunes dwindled in last two elections despite being a stronghold.

The party also lost the Hohoe parliamentary seat to the governing NPP in 2020, a historic occurrence, considering that the party had occupied all parliamentary seats in the region since the inception of the 4th Republic.

The opposition party, however, hopes to win back the seat with the launch of its “Operation 1 million votes and 18/18”, that seeks to capture all 18 seats, and also secure one million votes gap in the presidential election between the two parties.

Here are the identified hotspots in the region ahead of the primaries:

Ketu South 

The Ketu South Constituency is expected to witness a fierce contest between Dzifa Gomashie and Foga Nukunu. Mr Nukunu lost the 2019 primaries with just 31 votes, and so he is expected to pull a surprise on the incumbent. Madam Gomashie, on the other hand, is sure of securing the mandate of the delegates, as Jim Morti, who had issues and was disqualified from contesting Fifi Kwetey in 2015, joins the race.

Ho West

Three aspirants are contesting against Emmanuel Bedzrah’s bid to serve a fourth term in Parliament.

Samuel Dzidulali Kofi Danku and Eric Delanyo Alifo are staging a comeback after they were beaten by the incumbent in 2019, with Edwin Kweku Adae, a former Constituency Treasurer, being a new entrant. 

Many believe that Mr Bedzrah, who is seen as the ‘people’s choice’, would sail through, while a section of the constituents also believe the NDC needs a new face to represent the party in 2024, and subsequently the constituency in parliament.

They have, therefore, objected to Mr Bedzrah’s intention to continue his works in parliament for the NDC and Ho West Constituency. 

Kpando

The prospects of Della Sowah winning the primary in the Kpando Constituency look gloomy as Sebastian Fred Deh is making inroads with some constituency and regional executives backing his bid. 

Danso Archie Martin and Divine Selase Agbeti entered the race as underdogs, with hopes of truncating Della Sowa’s bid to represent Kpando in parliament in five straight terms. 

She’s engaged in a rigorous campaign to convince delegates to give her the nod for a fourth term, as she identifies herself as an important asset in parliament for the NDC. She serves on the Mines and Energy, Standing Orders, and Business Committees.

Keta

The incumbent, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey’s desire to represent the Keta Constituency for a second term in parliament is threatened by the quest of socialist and businessman, Emmanuel Kojo Jones-Mensah, and acting Volta Regional Director of Health, Senanu Kwesi Djokoto. 

Both aspirants have made solid statements after declaring their intentions to contest the NDC primaries.

Some believe Mr Jones-Mensah would use his influence, money, and philanthropic work to win the election. 

Others are also convinced that Mr Djokoto, a two-time Keta NDC Chairman and failed aspirant in 2019, would garner the votes of the delegates. He earlier indicated his disappointment in the approval of Mr Jones-Mensah to contest, despite issues of the latter’s eligibility to partake in the primaries.

The camp of Mr Jones-Mensah, however, refuted the allegations that their aspirant is not a registered member in the constituency among other accusations. 

Hohoe 

The NDC shockingly lost the Hohoe seat to NPP’s John Peter Amewu in 2020, and would be looking forward to electing a solid candidate to recapture the seat in 2024. 

Six candidates including two women have been approved to contest the primary. 

Frank Selorm Ankutse hopes the introduction of his self-funded health insurance policy for NDC executives in the constituency coupled with other philanthropic works would convince delegates to elect him. 

Meanwhile, Christine Afi Fiakpoe believes she has what it takes to wrestle the seat from the NPP’s John Peter Amewu, describing herself as the tsetse fly that would kill the elephant in Hohoe. 

Theophilus Kodjo Dzimega, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, Condobrey Victor Herman, and Vera Hayibor are making frantic efforts to contest the parliamentary election on the ticket of the NDC. 

The results of the primary would determine the NDC’s fate in recapturing the Hohoe seat from John Peter Amewu, who has become a household name in the constituency with some residents labeling him as ‘The Messiah.’ 

Ho Central

Benjamin Kpodo retired from parliament on the grounds of old age, adding that he is the first parliamentarian to have served three terms representing Ho Central. 

This gives the NDC an opportunity to put forward a fresh parliamentary candidate.

Seven members of the party have been approved to contest the primaries, with Stanley Nelvis Glate, Emmanuel Kafui Dzamefe, and Edem Kofi Kpotosu making a second attempt.  The three aspirants were beaten by Benjamin Kpodo in the 2019 primaries. 

Raphael Korda, Kasu Delali Kofi, Selorm Dey, and Robert Kofi Doh are new entrants who are making inroads with their campaign messages to delegates.

The Ho Central primary is crucial for the NDC because the governing NPP is keen on winning the seat. 

Ketu North 

There would be an interesting contest in the Ketu North Constituency as the NDC is tasked to replace the incumbent, and a former Deputy Minority Leader for the NDC in Parliament, James Klutse Avedzi, after he announced his retirement from the legislature.  

A former NDC National Deputy Youth Organiser, Edem Agbana, faces competition from seven others in the Ketu North primary. 

Among the seven is Donald Cog Senanu Agumenu, who hopes to win the mandate of the delegates in Ketu North, after failing to beat Peter Nortsu Kotoe in the Akatsi North Constituency in two attempts.

Francis Seglah, John Kwabla Adanu, Prosper Yao Ledi, Gabriel Kwabla Adovoe Tanko Kwamiga-Atokple, and Leonard Kwabla Nyakpo would contest for the Ketu North slot on 13th May 2023.  

Afadzato South 

The hopes of the incumbent MP for Afadzato South, Angela Alowu-Tay, winning the primary hangs in the balance as a former Constituency Chairman and Presidential Staffer, Frank Afriyie, is threatening to give her a run for her money. 

Delegates in the constituency are divided between the two aspirants.  Some are preaching for change with the explanation that Madam Alowu-Tay had been redundant during her two terms in parliament. 

They asserted that the constituency has seen very little development under her watch and less parliamentary participation hence the need for a change. 

However, the other divide of the delegates want Madam Angela to be given the nod to serve a third term.

READ ALSO:

• Dad calls it a curse, mum thinks pastors will help, I believe there’s something wrong somewhere
• Spio-Garbrah’s son joins NDC parliamentary race
• When Ras Nene met soldiers and police officers [Watch]

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi Central constituency in the Western Region, Peter Kwakye-Ackah has explained why a contender, Joana Gyan Cudjoe was disqualified.

He said Ms. Cudjoe who was an active NDC member in the Bantama constituency and decided to moved to Amenfi Central to enable her fulfill her parliamentary ambition has two party cards.

“Madam Cudjoe used to be at Bantama and transferred to my constituency. We realised that in Bantama the party card she was using was for someone called Sherita Mensah. All these issues came up during vetting and trust me, this is criminal” the incumbent MP stated.

Mr. Kwakye-Ackah said it later emerged that, the said Sherita Mensah is the daughter of the constituency chairman in Bantama.

“Apparently, the constituency chairman is the father of the said Sherita Mensah so he appeared before the vetting committee to testify that is why her name was expunged during balloting” he said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Thursday.

Mr. Kwakye-Ackah said he will be very surprised if Ms. Cudjoe is allowed to contest.

“This issue is pure forgery and should not be entertained in our party. If she is passed, the NPP will take her[Joana] to court so it’s better we prevent such acts” he noted.

Ms. Joana Cudjoe is one of five aspirants contesting the Amenfi Central parliamentary primaries.

NDC primaries: Ambition of Keche’s wife in limbo as party ‘disowns’ her

Empress Gifty’s ex-husband prophesied we will be great – Keche [Video]

Keche blesses fans with new single, Life [Video]