Twenty-five key polling station executive members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Awutu Senya West Constituency have defected to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
They explained that their reason for joining the NDC was to express their displeasure at the actions of the parliamentary candidate and the constituency executive which had affected the chances of the NPP in the constituency.
According to the leader of the group, Mr Paa Tawiah, who is a polling station executive member at the Bawjiase Presby Polling station, their decision to cross carpet to the NDC was due to disrespect shown to them.
Constituency meeting
Speaking to the media after being introduced during an expanded constituency executive meeting of the NDC at Awutu Beraku last Saturday, Mr Tawiah indicated that apart from the executive members there was massive exodus of NPP members to the NDC from all the polling stations.
The meeting was attended by polling station executive members from all the 103 polling stations to deliberate on pertinent party issues in the constituency. It also had the objective of strategising on how to prosecute an effective campaign towards winning the presidency as well as the parliamentary seat.
One-term MP
According to him, the situation where the MPs in the area were changed every four years was an impediment to the progress of the area and that it was important that the incumbent MP for the area, Ms Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, was given a second term to enable her to build upon what she has started.
He explained that the MP, who doubles as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, had lobbied for numerous development projects and that she needed to be supported to complete such projects for the benefit of the people.
He stressed that he and his comrades would help the NDC to execute a vigorous campaign towards winning the presidential and parliamentary seat in the constituency.
Regional chairman
The Central Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr Bernard Allotey Jacobs, who welcomed them and subsequently swore them into the party, said the defection of notable executives of the NPP to the NDC was a good omen for the NDC in its quest to retain power in the November polls.
He explained that the NDC was battle ready to win the upcoming election and would, therefore, welcome members of opposition political parties into its fold to brighten its chances in the 2016 election.
He urged them to make themselves available and play active roles in the campaign to propagate the achievements of the Mahama-Amissah-Arthur administration.
Essence of meeting
Mr Allotey Jacobs stated that the meeting was intended to touch base with the executive members in the party in all constituencies in the region so as to mobilise them to prosecute an effective campaign in the run-up to the November polls.
He stressed that the meeting would be replicated in all the constituencies so as to resolve any differences in the party to ensure victory in November.
He expressed optimism that the NDC government (led by President John Mahama) had justified the confidence reposed in it by Ghanaians four years ago and would, therefore, be given another term to complete its good works.
MP
Madam Tetteh called on all party members to be well poised and rally behind the government to retain power.
She pointed out that the area had had its share of development which could be seen in several communities in the district and, therefore, called on the people to vote massively for the NDC in this year’s election.
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