As the clock ticks and counting days for the 2024 NPP parliamentary primaries, the youth of Asante Akyem North has advised the constituency chairman, Edward Asadu to stay neutral.
According to the Asante Akyem North Patriotic Youth Association group, the constituency chairman who is a relative of one of the contestants, has been meeting delegates and inciting them to vote against the sitting MP.
It could be recalled that, in June 2020, some concerned delegates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Asante Akyem North Constituency in the Ashanti Region rejected the album for the primaries.
According to the group at that time, the album as they had seen it, was in favour of the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Andy Appiah Kubi.
At a press conference held in Agogo in June 2020, the leader of the then group, Kwabena Frimpong, accused the then Constituency Chairman, Mr Samson Agyei of being the brain behind the act.
For reasons that cannot be clearly described as a retaliation or payback, the current chairman Edward Asadu has been exhibiting characteristics of favouring Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, his nephew and one of the five aspirants.
In the upcoming 27th January 2024 elections, five candidates has succesfuly filed to contest the Asante Akyem North Seat, the incumbent MP (Andy Appiah Kubi), a former MP (Kwadwo Baah Agyeman), Dr Samuel Kwadwo Frimpong (an economist at the office of the vice president), a contractor (Stephen Obeng Saka), P.R.O for Ministry of Education (Kwasi Kwarteng).
The youth group in a press release has issued a strong communication to Chairman Asadu, informing him of the fact that the youth in the constituency are tired of vandalism, disunity and disrespect.
Therefore they will support a candidate who is ready for unity and development. They stated that they will not support anything that repeats what happened in 2020.
Below is the full press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chairman Edward Asadu: Stay Neutral and Professional
Accra: 17-01-24 – The Asante Akyem North Patriotic Youth Association is deeply concerned about recent developments leading up to the NPP parliamentary candidate elections scheduled for January 27, 2024.
Our attention has been drawn to the alleged involvement of Chairman Edward Asadu, the Asante Akyem North Constituency chairman, in influencing delegates to support a particular contestant.
It is disheartening to note that Chairman Edward Asadu, who is a relative of one of the contestants, has engaged in meetings with delegates, potentially inciting bias towards a specific candidate. Such actions are not only in violation of the principles of neutrality and fairness but also pose a threat to the democratic values of the NPP party. A recent utterance that has triggered our swift response is a meeting held between Chairman Asadu and Coordinators on Wednesday 16th January 2024. Chairman Asadu repeated his regular behaviour of inciting delegates to vote for a particular candidate and interestingly quoted the Chief of Staff, Hon Frema Opare as the one who has engaged him to do so. A false statement.
We must learn from the past to shape a better future. In the parliamentary primaries of June 2020, similar issues arose with the then chairman of the constituency. Unfortunately, the aftermath of those incidents has impacted the unity and development of the constituency negatively. As responsible members of the NPP party, we cannot afford to repeat history.
With one of the strongest independent candidates emerging in the Constituency, this is the time the party needs unity to face him, and now looking at how Chairman Asadu is fuelling disunity in the party, it is awful. This is because Chairman Asadu’s actions may gain votes for the independent candidate.
The Asante Akyem North Patriotic Youth Association is unequivocally advising Chairman Edward Asadu to stay neutral and professional as the constituency chairman. The youth of the constituency will not tolerate any actions that jeopardize the integrity of the upcoming elections. We urge him to prioritize peace and fairness over divisive tactics that could hinder the progress and unity of the constituency.
Furthermore, we call on the national executives of the NPP party to ensure that all rules and regulations governing the elections are strictly followed. The constituency is ready for development and requires a unifying leader who prioritizes the interests of the community over personal allegiances. We emphasize our strong desire for a peaceful, transparent, and fair electoral process.
As the NPP party prepares to usher in a new era with the eight-year term rule, let us come together as one, rejecting hooliganism and arrogance. The Asante Akyem North constituency deserves leaders who will work towards the betterment of the community and foster an atmosphere of inclusivity and progress.
About Asante Akyem North Patriotic Youth Association
The Asante Akyem North Patriotic Youth Association is a community-driven organization committed to promoting the values of the NPP party and advocating for the development and well-being of the Asante Akyem North constituency.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Agnes Kwarteng (Email: akkteng30@gmail.com)
