In the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primary elections held in the Eastern Region, only two out of nine women candidates emerged victorious, securing their positions to represent the party in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Mrs. Abena Osei-Asare, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Atiwa East and Deputy Finance Minister, along with Mrs. Lauretta Korkor Asante, Deputy Director of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), clinched victories in the Atiwa West constituency primary.
Mrs. Asante will be succeeding Mr. Kwasi Amoako-Atta, the current MP and Minister of Roads and Highways, who opted out of the 2024 parliamentary race.
However, the remaining seven women, including incumbent MPs such as Mrs. Gifty Twum-Ampofo, Deputy Education Minister for Abuakwa North, faced defeat in their bids for re-election.
Madam Gloria Ofori-Boadu, a legal practitioner and women's rights advocate, also did not secure victory in the Abuakwa South election, where Mr. Kingsley Agyemang emerged as the chosen candidate.
Other unsuccessful candidates included Madam Benedicta Biamah Adom in the Achiase constituency, Gifty Obeyaa Asare in aviation, Madam Louisa Boakye from the NPP New York branch, and Madam Grace Akosua Amoabeng, a businesswoman and deputy communications director for NPP Loyal Ladies.
Overall, out of the 75 men who competed in the primaries in the Eastern region, nine women, including the two incumbents, were selected to run in 25 out of the 33 constituencies.
