Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Wontumi, the Ashanti regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged party delegates to take a tough stand against Members of Parliament (MPs) who have lost favour in their areas.
The call to action comes ahead of the party’s next primaries, which will determine candidate selection for the 2024 general election.
Speaking to press Wontumi emphasised the importance of delegates endorsing candidates who resonate with voters in order to prevent the governing party from losing votes ahead of the important election.
“Even if you know that as an MP you reduced [NPP] votes in the 2020 elections then it is better you thank your people and leave the scene because we don’t want to endorse an MP who will go and lose a seat again”, the known party stalwart said even though he refused to name some of the ‘unpopular’ lawmakers in question.
“[As a delegate] if you know your MP has become unpopular, vote him out because this is not about money or friendship. Just vote for the popular candidate because we need majority MPs in parliament”, he further stressed.
Asked about the exit of at least nine Ashanti MPs from parliament in 2025, Wontumi said: “These MPs have done extremely well. They are moving forward to support the party in diverse ways…And as a chairman, I know that any assistance I need I will fall on them for an intervention”.
“I will miss all of them, especially Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, he is an institution”, he said.
The NPP parliamentary primaries will be place on 27 January 2024 in seats with sitting MPs. It is the party’s final internal poll as it prepares for national elections in December.
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