Dr. Ato Quarshie, an independent candidate for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) constituency, has launched his campaign and pledged to continue to be the good shepherd he had been to the people over the years.
Dr. Quarshie, who was the Member of Parliament for the area for three consecutive times, met a huge crowd from all the four traditional areas in the constituency, who pledged their support to secure him the seat.
The enthusiastic crowd many of them spotting National Democratic Congress (NDC) 'T' shirts, thronged the Nana Kobina Gyan Square at Elmina to give Dr. Quarshie a rousing welcome.
Women spread cloths on the floor for him to walk on as he struggled through to make his way to the grounds through the thick crowd.
Addressing them, Dr. Quarshie said he was not contesting to seek personal gains but to ensure that the developmental agenda as well as projects he initiated but had been stalled or in deplorable state were continued and or repaired.
Among the projects were the Elmina Bridge that links the town to the fish market, the castle and roads in Elmina and other areas in the constituency and the re-siting of the Edinaman Senior High School at its present location.
He regretted that all the roads constructed during his tenure were in deplorable state whilst the bridge was fast deteriorating posing danger to lives.
He said that he was compelled to contest the polls because opinion leaders and chiefs from the four traditional areas appealed to him to do so and as a good shepherd, he had to heed to the calls of his people to lead them and not to abandon them.
Dr. Quarshie said he was the best candidate, who could save the decline of developmental projects in the area and pledged to work to ensure that Elmina was given the needed facelift to befit its status as one of the glorious ancient cities in the country.
Mr. Michael Nkrumah, the Communications Director and Personal Assistant to Dr. Quarshie appealed to the electorate to give Dr. Quarshie the mandate to represent them in Parliament as they would not regret doing so.
He explained that the symbol of Dr. Quarshie comprising a canoe, machete and a book represent the fishermen, farmers and the educational sector respectively and therefore his agenda would cover all aspects of livelihood.
Dr. Quarshie, an NDC stalwart, contested the NDC 2012 primary with the incumbent MP, Dr. Joseph Annan and lost.
Some grassroot party supporters had accused Dr. Annan of being disrespectful and insensitive to them and had threatened to vote 'skirt and blouse' if Dr. Quarshie failed to heed to their calls to contest.