An aspiring NPP parliamentary candidate for the New Juaben South constituency in the Eastern Region has been cited for impersonation and forgery in the party’s ongoing vetting process.
A Koforidua-based radio station, Afeema FM, can report that Yaa Ansaa Safori, who was contesting the incumbent member of Parliament, Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi, allegedly presented fictitious documents to the party’s vetting committee.
This came to light during the party’s vetting of 85 Parliamentary aspirants at Koforidua Residency.
Madam Yaa Ansaa Safori was disqualified on evidence of forgery and impersonation based on a petition received by the vetting committee from a complainant on Thursday for allegedly falsifying a polling station executive’s signature for endorsement.
To this end, the Eastern Regional Vetting Committee has declared the Member of Parliament for New Juaben South who doubles as a deputy minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi, to go unopposed following the disqualification of his sole contender, Yaa Ansaa Safori.
Rumours have it that Madam Yaa Ansaa Safori will be reported on criminality to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations.
Addressing the media after vetting on Thursday, the Eastern regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Jeff Kunadu Addo, said individuals desiring to occupy the office as a member of Parliament must demonstrate that they are beyond reproach.
Mr. Jeff Kunadu Addo who confirmed the situation said, that forging signatures to hoodwink the members of the vetting Committee of the Party to accept one’s forms is a crime and that is worrying.
Meanwhile, aspirants and their followers have been cautioned against campaigns of political ‘blackmail’ in their bid to lead their constituencies in the 2024 elections.
The regional chairman told Afeema FM that, a more decorous campaign was required from the aspirants to maintain unity within the rank and file of the party.
Again, all the aspirants are urged to get their supporters to appreciate the fact that the real struggle begins after 27th January thus, Mr. Jeff Kunadu Addo has underscored the need for unity within the party after the contest, as it would be essential to prevent the National Democratic Congress from winning 2024 elections.
For his part, the unopposed Parliamentary candidate, Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi expressed strong confidence in retaining the New Juaben South seat after successfully going through the vetting process.
According to him, his campaign team and the constituency executives will launch an unprecedented campaign in the constituency as he anticipates a resounding victory for both Parliamentary and Presidential slots.
Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari, Afeema FM