Trade and Industry Minister Fails to Disqualify Opponents Over Party Membership Allegations
The National Executive Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has turned down a petition from the Trade and Industry Minister, KT Hammond. In the petition, Hammond sought to disqualify his opponents in the party's Adansi Asokwa parliamentary primary.
Hammond alleged that his opponents—Samuel Dakwa Binfoh, Dr. Enoch Acheampong, and Kwabena Nkansah Asamoah—lack party membership cards and have not actively worked in the constituency, making them ineligible to represent constituents. He cited Articles 12(4) and (7) of the NPP's constitution to support his claim.
However, during its meeting on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, the National Executive Committee rejected Hammond's petition, thereby allowing the three opponents to participate in the January 27 primaries.
In a surprising turn, 33 NPP Members of Parliament are set to go unopposed in the upcoming primaries, highlighting the dynamics within the party as it prepares for the internal electoral process. The decision by the National Executive Committee signals the party's commitment to a competitive and democratic selection of candidates within its ranks.