The Western Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has released a list of 20 parliamentary aspirants to contest in the 20 June primaries in constituencies where the party has sitting Members of Parliament.

In all, 28 parliamentary aspirants including seven females from 13 constituencies were vetted, out of which 20, including four females qualified to contest the primaries.

A press release issued and signed by the Regional Secretary Mr Charles C.N.O Bissue and copied the GNA, said the elections would not be conducted in constituencies where candidates were unopposed but there would be an acclamation by the delegates.

Mr Bissue said in the Sekondi, Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Jomoro, Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira, Prestea-Huni Valley and Essikado-Ketan constituencies the candidates were going unopposed.

The Regional Secretary said Mr Andrew Egyapa Mercer was going for the Sekondi seat unopposed; Mr George Mireku Duker for Tarkwa-Nsuaem; Mr Paul Essien, Jomoro; Mrs Catherine Abelema Afeku, Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira; Mrs Barbara Oteng Gyasi, Prestea-Huni Valley; and Mr Joe Ghartey, Essikado-Ketan.

He said in the Takoradi Constituency two candidates, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah (Western Regional Minister) and Madam Jane Edna Nyame would be contesting for the seat; Mr Ato Panford and Mr Samuel Erickson Abeka would be battling for the Shama constituency; and Mr Joseph Cudjoe and Madam Adwoa Kwegyiriba would vie for the Effia seat.

The Mpohor seat would be contested by Mr Alex Agyekum and Mr John Kobina Abban Aboah Sanie, while the Ahanta West Constituency would have Mr Ebenezer Kojo Kum battling with Mr Kwesi Binney.

He said the Kwesimintsim Constituency would have Mr Joseph Mensah and Dr Prince Hamidu Armah vying for the seat with Mr Patrick Bogyako-Saime and Mr Edward Amo-Acquah contesting for the Amenfi East seat.

Mr Bissue gave the assurance that the elections would be conducted in strict compliance with the COVID-19 Pandemic safety protocols.

He called for violence free and peaceful primaries.
The primaries would be conducted on Saturday 20 June 2020.