Vetting Day 2: High stakes and ballot draws define NPP parliamentary aspirants’ journey in Western Region
The second day of the New Patriotic Party parliamentary aspirants’ vetting in the Western Region brought forth an intense session at the Kingstel Hotel in Takoradi on Thursday, January 4, 2023.
Nine aspirants hailing from four constituencies within the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis faced the rigorous scrutiny of the vetting committee, presided over by the astute Lawyer Frank Davis and the Western Regional executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The Vetting
The vetting kicked off with Kwesimintsim Constituency, featuring incumbent MP, Dr Prince Hamid Armah (1st term MP/Vice Chairman Education Parliament’s Committee) and contender Dr Mrs Yaa Pokuaa Baiden (Former Regional Officer/Deputy CEO, NHIA).
After their appearances, the contenders underwent a ballot, with Dr Mrs Yaa Pokuaa Baiden drawing the first position and the incumbent MP, Dr Prince Hamid Armah, securing the second position.
Moving on to Effia Constituency, incumbent MP Joseph Cudjoe (3-term MP/Minister of State) faced a challenge from Lawyer Isaac Yaw Boamah (Chairman, Regional Finance Committee). Following their vetting, the ballot determined that Lawyer Isaac Yaw Boamah would take the first position, while the incumbent MP, Joseph Cudjoe, secured the second.
Takoradi Constituency also witnessed a dynamic vetting process involving incumbent MP Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah (4-term MP/Regional Minister), Richard Essuman Addison (Entrepreneur), and Frederick Sam-Incoom (Former Youth Organizer).
The subsequent ballot results allocated positions as follows: Richard Essuman Addison – one (1), Incumbent MP, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah – two (2), and Frederick Sam-Incoom – three (3).
Sekondi Constituency concluded the day’s proceedings, with incumbent MP, Andrew Egyapa Mercer ESQ (2-term MP/Deputy Minister) facing off against contender Benjamin Paa Kwasi Moses (Former Constituency and Regional Officer).
The ballot results assigned positions with incumbent MP Andrew Egyapa Mercer securing the first position and his contender, Benjamin Paa Kwesi Moses taking the second.
The vetting marathon is set to conclude on Friday, January 5, 2023, with Mpohor and Shama Constituencies. Six aspirants in total are expected to appear before the vetting committee, paving the way for the highly anticipated elections on January 27.
