In the Amenfi Central constituency of Western Region, members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have issued a stern warning concerning the upcoming 2024 general election. The party’s parliamentary candidate, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, is at the center of rising tensions, as constituency members have threatened to boycott the election if the Electoral Commission disqualifies her. This announcement came during a press conference held in Suroso, where Mr. Obed Amissah, the Constituency Communication Officer, shared alarming claims. He alleged that Dr. Bossman Asare, the Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission, in cooperation with Fuseini Adonis Kweku, is plotting to undermine their candidate’s eligibility in favor of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr. Amissah vehemently asserted that there is no valid justification for disqualifying Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, who had rightfully gone through the re-election process overseen by the Electoral Commission. This process occurred after NDC leadership annulled the initial primaries amid allegations claiming that she was not duly elected. He emphasized that the subsequent electoral process had been fair, with all original candidates participating in the re-election, which reaffirmed Madam Joana’s candidacy. Mr. Adonis, who is involved in the alleged conspiracy against the NDC, was reportedly responsible for supervising the election that confirmed her nomination.
The NDC members expressed their confusion and anger over what they believe is a politically motivated maneuver aimed at disenfranchising their candidate. According to Mr. Amissah, Madam Joana was properly nominated, filed her candidacy effortlessly, and was announced by the Electoral Commission’s Returning Officer as the party’s valid candidate. He insisted that the NDC is dedicated to ensuring a fair electoral process and will not tolerate any actions that would jeopardize their candidate’s position or undermine democracy.
The tone of the press conference suggested a deep level of frustration and distrust towards the Electoral Commission’s leadership, particularly targeting Dr. Bossman Asare and his alleged affiliations with the NPP. Mr. Amissah announced a readiness to mobilize party members and resist any attempts at disenfranchisement fiercely. He emphasized the seriousness of their stance, signaling that any actions taken by the Electoral Commission that seem unjust would lead to significant backlash in the form of a boycott, thereby impairing the electoral process in the constituency.
Moreover, the constituents conveyed a strong desire for peaceful elections, albeit not at the expense of allowing self-serving interests of the Electoral Commission to compromise their democratic rights. Underlining the responsibility of electoral officials, they asserted that their actions must reflect fairness and transparency to uphold the integrity of the elections. Mr. Amissah warned that any perceived divisive tactics aimed at bolstering NPP’s interests would be met with staunch resistance from the NDC.
In conclusion, the NDC’s message was clear: they believe in executing their democratic rights and are prepared to take drastic measures if necessary to ensure that Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe remains a candidate for the Amenfi Central constituency in the approaching December 2024 elections. The constituents are demanding accountability from the Electoral Commission and guarding against what they view as attempts to manipulate the electoral process for partisan gain. The situation highlights the heightened political tensions in the region and the critical standoff between the opposition and the electoral authority, with potential implications for the election landscape in Amenfi Central.
