NPP Losing Grip on Essikado-Ketan Seat, ‘Missing’ PC Returns To Constituency After Primaries

…As ‘Missing’ Parliamentary Candidate Returns To Constituency After Primaries

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), appears to be losing grip of the Essikado-Ketan Constituency in the Western region, to its arch rival National Democratic Congress (NDC) following some disturbing developments unfolding in the constituency.

The Anchor, has picked up reports that, the party’s recently elected parliamentary candidate for the 2024 general elections, Charles Bissue, has been allegedly missing from the constituency soon after winning the primaries over a month ago.

Insiders told this paper, Mr Bissue, only returned to the constituency just last weekend, where he held few meetings with some party executives.

He is yet to officially embark on any ‘thank you’ tour to express appreciation to the delegates and all those who matter, in a bid to unite and bring the rank and file together for the crucial December 7 elections.

Sources say, the parliamentary candidate, has also not initiated any move for reconciliation, in spite of their acrimonious campaign prior to the primary, even though Mr Bissue, had promised to bring all on board and unite their front in earnest, before the December elections.

It is unclear, what might cause the former Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM)long absence from his constituents, given the herculean task ahead of him.

Some have also suggested that, the embattled candidate’s inability to be visible in the constituency, could be linked to his ongoing court cases with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) which may be taking a toll on his schedules.

Those familiar with the development have said, the absence of any serious political activities, has left the NPP Essikado-Ketan constituency, as though there is no a parliament candidate.

But some party members and sympathizers who expressed worry said, the behaviour and actions of the candidate, are making the party unpopular in the area and giving the NDC and its candidate a brighter chance of annexing the Seat.

They stated that during the 2020 election, the NDC’s Parliamentary Candidate, Professor Grace Ayensu-Danquah, did well by closing the margin of votes between her and the NPP candidate, Mr Joe Ghartey, who was even the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP).

Per the official parliamentary results declared by the Electoral Commission (EC) for Essikado-Ketan, the NPP pulled a total of 26,701 votes, while NDC garnered 24,527, losing with a little of over 2,000 votes margin.

The fear of many is that, considering the reality that there are divisions in the constituency, coupled with the fact that NDC, had maintained its candidate, Professor Ayensu-Danquah, it would have been proper for their candidate, Mr Bissue, to step up his games to bring everyone onboard, rather than turning himself into an invisible candidate.

The January 27, primary of the NPP saw Mr Bissue beating two other contenders over who succeed the veteran legislator, Joe Ghartey.

Mr Bissue, who won the keenly contested internal election garnered 333 votes out of 766 valid votes cast to beat Mr Giovanni Aggyeman, who had 199 and Madam Hornaa Akesi Miezah, a deputy Director General of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) who bagged 234 votes.

The contest also saw two rejected ballots, making the total votes cast 768, as declared by the officer of the Commission.

Mr Bissue, comes on the heels of 20 years of an unopposed and popular acclamation anecdote for the sitting MP, who had decided to give up the race.

More To Come…

Source: Anchorghana.com