VERDICT ON NDC VOLTA PARLAIMENTARY VETTING

A joint vetting committee of selected Party Executives from the Constituency, Regional and National levels chaired by Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the National Vice Chairman of the NDC, have given the green light to 86 candidates in the Volta region to run the parliamentary race of the party on 7^th November.

This followed a two day vetting conducted for parliamentary aspirants in the region. Out of the 96 parliamentary aspirants drawn from the 25 constituencies in the Volta region, 86 aspirants including 12 females from 24 constituencies have been cleared to contest the primaries on the ticket of the NDC.

Clearance for five aspirants from the Nkwanta South has been put on hold for further consultations. The clearance of two aspirants from Ketu South, Hon Albert Zigah and Mr Jim Morti as well as that of Mr Christopher Eleblu from North Tongu has been referred to National for redress of some legal issues surrounding their candidature. Meanwhile speculations are that Hon Albert Zigah may suffer similar fate as Ahmed Muniru the aspirant from the Akan constituency who was disqualified for going independent in 2012 after losing the primaries.

An aspirant from the Nkwanta North Constituency, Solomon Kwame Bachabori who crossed carpet from the opposition New Patriotic Party have also failed to meet the four-year membership requirement to contest as an MP. The third unsuccessful aspirant, Anthony Selorm Morrison who was eyeing the Kpando seat have been disqualified for misrepresenting his academic qualifications. Prior to the vetting, two aspirants, Isaac Agyane from Krachi Nchumuru and Harry Adjololo of Biakoye Constituency withdrew from the race at 11th hour.

Two sitting MPs, Hon Dr James Klutse Avedzi,Mp for Ketu North and Hon Fifi Kwetey could not appear before the vetting committee because they were outside the country on official duties. Their vetting according the Volta regional secretary of the party Mr Simon Amegashie Viglo would be conducted on their return.

However two sitting Members of Parliament, Madam Helen Adjoa Ntoso, MP for Krachi West, also the Volta Regional Minister, and the MP for Ho Central, Mr Benjamin Kpodo, are going unopposed.