Mireku Duker, MP for Tarkwa Nsuem
Destruction of political campaign posters and billboards has hit the Tarkwa-Nsuem constituency in the Western Region, with supporters of George Mireku Duker, the incumbent NPP Member of Parliament, and Joy Joycelyn Andoh, an independent candidate from the NPP, being culprits.
Dubbed “You tear, I tear” campaign, this shameful practice follows the use of NPP colours and symbols by the independent candidate.
Provocation
Angry NPP youth who could not fathom why their party’s colours and symbols should be used by Ms Andoh, after cautioning her, went on the rampage by destroying her posters and billboards.
Their action provoked supporters of the independent candidate who also started destroying the MP’s posters and billboards.
Reports indicate that the exercise started in Tarkwa, the constituency capital, about a month ago, and is gradually spreading to other communities in the constituency.
At a durbar of the chiefs and people of Nsuem during President Nana Akufo-Addo’s recent tour to the Western Region, the NPP youth sought to portray Mr Duker’s popularity by destroying his opponent’s posters.
Paa Kwesi Simpson, a member of Ms Andoh’s campaign team, angrily told Daily Statesman that members of the team would not allow themselves to be cowed, but would also destroy Mr Duker’s posters.
“When they tear, we will also tear. You tear, I tear!” he screamed.
Condemnation
Many social and political commentators have condemned this unhealthy development, with some of them calling on the police to intervene before the inevitable happens.
Joy Joycelyn Andoh is gaining popularity with her vigorous house-to-house campaign and support from some NPP constituency and regional executives.
Loyalists of Gilbert Kennedy Asmah, the dismissed Municipal Chief Executive, strongly believe his dismissal was orchestrated by Mr Duker, and have also resolved to unseat him by supporting the independent candidate who was disqualified from contesting the NPP primaries.
Fears
There are fears that Ms Andoh’s involvement in the race may either reduce the NPP’s votes in the constituency or give the opposition NDC a chance to snatch the seat. Nana Kojo Tokuh, NDC Regional Chairman, claims the ground is fertile for his party, and has been drumming into the ears of his executives to work harder for the Tarkwa-Nsuem seat this year or forget about any hopes of snatching that seat in subsequent general elections.
The Tarkwa-Nsuem constituency recorded the highest number of votes for NPP in the Western Region in 2016, but questions are being asked whether these votes will once again be obtained on December 7.
Source: dailystatesman.com.gh/Yaaba Yamikeh
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