Ernest Yaw Anim kicks against factionalism in Kumawu

The Sekyere-Kumawu delegates of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region have elected Ernest Yaw Anim as the party’s parliamentary candidate for the upcoming by-election.

Mr Yaw Anim garnered 195 votes to win the election contested by four other candidates: Ama Serwaah, Dr Da-costa Aboagye, Kwame Appiah Kubi and Osei Bempah Hwereh.

About 420 delegates, drawn from 25 electoral areas, gathered at the Philip Basoah Community Centre at Besoro to cast their ballot.

The seat became vacant following the death of the sitting MP, Philip Basoah, last month.

No factionalism

Meanwhile, a press statement released by the Communications Directorate of Ernest Yaw Anim campaign has responded to social media postings, press releases and a video of Collins Owusu Amankwah, the former MP for Manhyia South, on the just-ended primaries.

It is alleged that Mr Amankwah claims the contest was won on the strength of NPP presidential hopeful Alan Kyerematen and his surrogates.

“We do acknowledge the support and prayers from all NPP members and sympathizers. However, we want to make it categorically clear this primaries was a local contest among family members and had no national undertones,” the stament stressed.

The statement said the contest was not won on the strength of any personality as claimed by the former legislator and his surrogates.

“His comment in the video is distasteful, unworthy and unfortunate. We, therefore, advise that it should not be taken seriously and should be treated with the contempt it deserves. Our candidate is on record to have made the unity of Kumawu Constituency his top priority during the campaign. It was this message that resonated with the delegates,” the statement noted.

Surprising

It added: “The election was not about personalities or individuals but for NPP as a party. We do not have any scores to settle and are therefore surprised how Hon Amankwah who was just there as an observer could make such spurious comments”.

The statement stressed that Ernest is committed to serving his constituents and not Team Alan or any team for that matter.

“He will work with any duly elected flagbearer of the NPP. We just concluded one leg of the elections and have a by-election to contest. We, therefore, do not have the strength to engage in any meaningless statements and innuendoes. We disassociate ourselves from the social media postings, press releases and the video of Hon. Collins Amankwah,” it concluded.