Member of African Union Advisory Board against Corruption, Edem Senanu has dismissed calls for Former Ghana Football Association Boss, Kwesi Nyantakyi to pull out of the Ejisu by-election race over allegations in the ‘Number 12’ exposé.
The New Patriotic Party opened nominations for Parliamentary hopefuls on Tuesday, April, 2 following the passing of the Ejisu Member of Parliament (MP) and Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah.
Mr. Nyantakyi is among the nine individuals who have so far picked up nomination forms to contest the seat.
The decision by Mr. Nyantakyi to contest in the NPP primaries has been greeted with mixed reactions. Some anti-graft persons believe the decision by the ex-GFA boss to venture into politics is not proper.
But Edem Senanu thinks otherwise.
Speaking to Starr News, Mr. Senanu stated that no court had proven the former GFA boss guilty, nor had the GFA boss admitted guilt, which is why he is qualified to pick a form and contest the election.
“This is a citizen of the state and has his right. As long as he makes the legibility criteria, he is allowed to stand. It will now be up to the people of Ejisu to decide whether they want him to be their representative in parliament. I think it would have been unfair if the position was once somebody has been found to be guilty of something, there is no opportunity to assume that they can reform or improve or subsequently play functional role in society”.
“I think that the people that matter to take the decision is the good people of Ejisu,” he added.
“They should look at criteria for people in the constitution. It talks about high morality and integrity. The challenge is not putting yourself forward but the real issue is that at the end of the day between the processes at the constituent level and the electoral level, somebody finds a fact from a court of competent jurisdiction that come be taken against you”.
Mr. Nyantakyi faces competition from notable contenders such as Abena Pokuaa Boaitey, known as ‘Ejisu Bronii,’ and Portia Acheampong Abronye, wife of NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe ‘Abronye’.
Other contenders include Helena Mensah, Kingsley Karikari Mensah, Kwabena Boateng, Dr Evans Duah, Aaron Prince Duah, and Maame Yaa Aboagyewaa.
The ex-GFA boss earlier in the week also revealed he was open to accepting ministerial appointment should the ruling NPP retain power in the 2024 general elections.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Benjamin Sackey
