By Richard Kofi Attenkah
Some political heavyweights of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), especially those occupying important positions, are likely to face stiff opposition from virtually fresh faces in the upcoming November 7 parliamentary primaries of the party.
While some are likely to be uprooted from their positions against the backdrop that they have become unpopular with the rank and file, as well as the grassroots people, others will be given a run for their monies.
One such personality is the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency, as one of his boys, Joseph Tettey Akuerteh, has picked up forms to contest against him.
Confirming to the paper that he has picked his nomination forms to contest the Kpone-Katamanso parliamentary seat, Mr. Tettey Akuerteh said he has already been working quietly on the ground to ensure that he is accepted by the delegates. According to him, a large number of supporters of the party in the constituency have been calling on him to contest the seat, hence his decision to pick the forms.
Tettey Akuerteh, who holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) certificate from Sikkim Manipal University, is a strong member of the party, who worked under the MP for the area for a very long time. From 2005 to 2014, he has been a member of the Tema District Coordinating Committee of the party, and also the Youth Organiser in the constituency.
He was the Ward Coordinator at Gbetsile, Nsrehu and Sebrepor, all in the Kpone-Katamanso constituency, from 2002 to 2005, and also the Branch Chairman of Sebrepor. Between 2008 and 2012, he was a member of the Election Directorate of the party in the constituency, and a government appointee of the Kpone-Katamanso District Assembly (KKDA).
He also served on the Finance and Administrative Sub-Committee of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) from 2009 and 2012. Political watchers in the constituency are of the opinion that the situation puts the Regional Minister, who has a huge stature in the party, in a rather awkward position, but the two-term legislator thinks otherwise.
Speaking in an interview with the paper about the issue over a week ago, the Regional Minister said he had nothing to be afraid of, because he has worked so hard for his constituents, so much that they know what he is capable of.
According to him, both party and non-party members in the constituency can attest to all the good things he has done since he became MP for the area, adding, he has worked selflessly towards improving upon the lives of people in the constituency, and, with that, he knows the delegates will vote for him.