Ghana: NDC Bows Out Of Abuakwa North By-Election

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has decided not to contest the Abuakwa North Constituency by-election scheduled for this month. The Electoral Commission has fixed March 29 for the by-election in the Abuakwa North Constituency. The primary became necessary following the demise of the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu.
The NPP MP was murdered in cold blood a couple of months ago. The by-election will be held in accordance with Article 112 (5) of the Constitution. According to the NDC National Executive Committee (NEC), they “were stunned by the death of the late Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu of the Abuakwa North constituency, particularly circumstances surrounding his gruesome murder that brought the nation to a standstill.” “The NDC is of the opinion that the scar of grief and sorrow emanating from such ‘barbaric act’ would take a longer time to heal; hence, it would be appropriate to desist from any act that has the tendency to aggravate the pain that J.B’s family has been subjected to.”

 A statement signed by the NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said “we wish to indicate that we share in the grief and trauma the late Member of Parliament’s family, constituents and indeed the nation are going through. Therefore it would be insensitive, unsympathetic on the part of the NDC leadership and followers to actively participate in such by-election.

 “The NDC does not want to be beneficiaries of a criminal act and, we are aware of the disaffection this decision will bring among our supporters, because the Abuakwa North happens to be one of the constituencies which NDC considers winnable. We wish, however to urge our supporters to channel their efforts towards winning the seat in the November 2016 elections. The NEC wishes, on behalf of the party to extend our condolences to the bereaved family of the late J. B. Danquah Adu and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a whole.”