Some gurus of the ruling New Patriotic Party, NPP, on Sunday stormed Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region for a unity walk.
Among the dignitaries were Kennedy Ohene Agyapong – MP Assin Central, Sammy Awuku -National Organizer of the NPP, and National Women’s Organizer Kate Gyamfua
Also, some Eastern Regional Executives including, Eastern Regional Organizer – Kwame Appiah Kodua, and Regional Youth Organizer – Jerry Osei-OPoku, were present.
The NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Akwatia Ernest Yaw Kumi who organized the walk was also present.
The New Juaben South MCE – Ike Appaw-Gyasi, and Former Akuapem North MCE – Dennis Aboagye were also at the event which saw a multitude of teeming supporters of the NPP participated.
However, conspicuously missing was the embittered Member of Parliament for Akwatia Mercy Adu Gyamfi popularly call Ama Sey who was expected to participate in the event to demonstrate reconciliation and unity.
It is not clear why Ama Sey did not show up.
Political firebrand- Kennedy Ohene Agyapong addressing the supporters said they had gone to the house of the MP to talk to her and the husband hence was expecting them to partake in the unity walk.
Nonetheless, Kennedy Agyapong, advised the Parliamentary Candidate, Ernest Kumi, to personally going to the MP to beg her for advice on how she managed to gain grounds in Akwatia and learn from her if he wants to be successful in his Political career in a “hot” constituency such as Akwatia.
On October 10, 2020, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Mercy Adu Gyamfi popular known as Ama Sey officially announced her withdrawal from the parliamentary race as Independent Candidate.
The MP was expected to file her nomination form but rescinded her decision stating that she has been spoken to by many dignitaries including President Akufo Addo and wife Rebecca Akufo Addo, Okyenhene, and some Pastors.
“I petitioned the NPP for recounting after the Primaries but they ignored it however they did recounting for a candidate at Asamankese, my supporters got angry and decided to support me to contest as Independent Candidate because the party was not fair to me. My supporters were angry. I agreed to go Independent because I was bitter however many people called me” she said at a press conference Friday at Akwatia
She added “President Akufo Addo called me, his wife called me, Chief of staff called me, Okyenhene, Juaben Chief, Pastors and many other dignitaries called to speak to me. So I have decided not to file my nomination form as EC closes filing today.”
“It is painful to be cheated and if pains are afflicted on you and you don’t take the decision to prevent it will continue but because I have been spoken to I have decided to remain calm and rescind my decision. I know many are still angry in Akwatia I beg them to let bygones be bygones.”
The Member of Parliament for Akwatia Mercy Adu Gyamfi similarly boycotted a rally held last month during a visit by President Akufo Addo as part of his four-day campaign tour of the Eastern region.
Her supporters chanted war song to demonstrate their disaffection for the NPP Parliamentary Candidate as soon as he mounted the platform to address them in presence of President Akufo Addo and his entourage.
Many supporters of the NPP in Akwatia were rallying behind the MP who lost to the Parliamentary Candidate by four votes during the NPP primaries held June this year to contest the 2020 parliamentary election as Independent Candidate.
The MP suspected rigging during the Parliamentary Primaries hence called for a recount of the ballots cast but was rejected.
President Akufo Addo called on the NPP supporters in Akwatia to remain calm and bury all their differences and support the NPP Parliamentary Candidate of the party Ernest Yaw Kumi.
President Akufo Addo acknowledged the hard work of the MP but urged the supporters to reconcile and support the Parliamentary Candidate promising that Ama Sey will be given an appointment in his next government.
“In our party, we elect leaders through the ballot. I have contested many times in the NPP. Ama Sey is the MP she has done a lot of work to help develop Akwatia but during the primaries, she lost the election to Ernest Yaw Kumi. For NPP we serve a political party, not individuals so everyone must make the mind to support the elephant family” President Akufo Addo Said.
He added “I have heard a rumor about the intention of Ama Sey to go Independent but I don’t believe it. I know her to be a true member of NPP and have the party at heart. It saddens me that she is not around but that’s okay. I am hopeful she will not go independent. In my next Government, I am going to make her an integral part of my government policy on apprenticeship”
The Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Marfo Said “If you are a true NPP member you don’t have to rally support for anyone to go Independent. I called Ama Sey on phone to ask her if indeed she was going Independent but she told me it is not true.so I want to entreat everybody to forget about the fact that Ama Sey is going Independent. Ama Sey is not going Independent. Being an MP is not the only work one can do to serve the people. I assure you that Ama Sey will get her share of appointment in the next NPP government”
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
