The National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has described the experiences of the late Ernest Kumi, former parliamentary candidate for Akwatia, as an emotional ordeal rather than a mere political matter.
Speaking at the ongoing Akwatia by-election, Mr. Mustapha recounted the alleged mistreatment of the young politician, who he said was subjected to harassment and humiliation during his time as an NPP parliamentary candidate. According to him, there was a point where Mr. Kumi had to be smuggled out of parliament and even out of his own constituency under heavy pressure from state security agencies.
“At a point, Ernest Kumi had to be put in the back of a car and smuggled out of parliament, smuggled out of his own constituency like a criminal, because he was being chased by BNI and National Security. That is how they treated the young man. And today, he has lost his life. You cannot tell me this is not an emotional matter. It is,” Mr. Mustapha emphasized.
He argued that no Ghanaian, regardless of political party, deserves to be treated in such a manner. He added that if members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had been subjected to similar treatment, they would not have tolerated it.
Mr. Mustapha also used the platform to highlight the NPP’s philosophy of inclusive governance, stressing that development must reach every corner of the country irrespective of political affiliation. He pointed to the Volta Region as an example, noting that despite being a stronghold of the NDC, the NPP has continued to invest in development projects there.
“Whether a constituency votes for the NPP or not, nobody has the right to deny them development. The preamble of the Ghanaian constitution says development is a shared responsibility, and the people of Akwatia deserve their fair share,” he added.
Expressing confidence in the NPP’s chances, Mr. Mustapha said he was optimistic that the party’s candidate, Ernest Yaw Kumi Isumidu, would win the by-election and bring meaningful progress to the constituency.
The Akwatia by-election, which follows the untimely death of the NPP’s Ernest Kumi, has become a hotly contested race between the governing NPP and the opposition NDC, with both parties intensifying their campaigns in the constituency.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
