Nine persons, including three women who are members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region are eyeing the vacant Ejisu Constituency seat.
They have declared their intentions to contest the parliamentary primary election scheduled for April 13, 2024.
The Ejisu Constituency seat became vacant after demise of the incumbent, Dr John Ampontuah Kumah. Dr Kumah died aged 45 after short illness.
Former President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi is among the nine aspirants. He was also spotted at the Ashanti Region campaign launch of the ruling party and even made his intention clear in an interview with a section of the media.
Four-time contender, Abena Pokuaa Boaitey, popularly known as ‘Ejisu Bronii’ is also staging her fifth come-back.
Wife of Bono Region Chairmen of the NPP, Portia Acheampong Abronye has made her intention known as well as the current Presiding Member of the Ejisu Municipal Assembly, Helena Mensah ia also eyeing the NPP ticket.
Former Presiding Member of Ejisu Municipal Assembly, Michael Owusu, has expressed interest too.
The current Constituency Chairman, Kofi Agyapong is also expected to battle it out with his 2nd Vice, Kwabena Boateng as both executive members have expressed interest in the race.
Finally, a lecturer at the Akenten Appiah Menkah University of Skills Training and Entreprenuerial Development (AAMUSTED), Dr Evans Duah also has his eyes on the ball.
Whoever emerges winner on the side of the NPP after April 13, is likely to face competition from three-time MP, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi as a deep throat source has indicated his come-back, albeit not on the ticket of the ruling party.
The former Roads Minister took over from Akwasi Osei-Adjei (former Foreign Affairs Minister) in the lead-up to the 2008 election after the latter lost the parliamentary primaries.
Mr Aduomi also lost his fourth bid to the late Dr John Ampontuah Kumah in 2020.
In November 2023, the former lawmaker described leader for the Movement For Change, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten as “a good politician with a legal and economic background.” His public endorsement during an MFC event at Ejisu has further deepened speculations that he has severed ties with the ruling party.
NDC already has a candidate, in the person of Jerryne Asante. However, it is not certain that the party will contest the Ejisu by-election. According to an insider who disclosed this on condition of anonymity, “we have advised that we pull out and prepare well for the December general election.”
The NPP has held the Ejisu seat since 1996.