A total of 70 National Democratic Congress (NDC) aspirants are contesting in today’s parliamentary and presidential primaries of the party in the 26 constituencies of the Western Region.
Although 83 NDC members initially picked nomination forms to contest in the primaries, 73 completed and presented the forms at the close of nominations on September 10, 2015.
Two out of the 73 aspirants were disqualified during the vetting process, and one contestant also stepped down at the eleventh hour.
They comprise 67 males and three females.
Some notable names that will face stiff competition in their constituencies today include the Western Regional Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo and Member of Parliament (MP) for Sefwi-Wiawso, who is being challenged by three aspirants-Dr. Amoako, Thomas Armah and Adansi Bondah.
Former Metropolitan Chief Executive for Sekondi-Takoradi, Captain (Rtd) Anthony Cudjoe, is also being challenged by Betty Busumtwi-Sam, former Deputy Regional Minister, Emmanuel Assifuah, Armah Nyamekye and Charlotte Odum in Sekondi Constituency.
Alfred Ekow Gyan, the Deputy Regional Minister, is facing stiff competition from Janet Ansah, a businesswoman in the Takoradi Constituency.
In the Ahanta West Constituency, George Kwame Aboagye, the incumbent MP, is being challenged by Sam Pee Yalley, who is the current Ghana’s Ambassador in India, while Kwabena Mintah Akando, MP for Juaboso is facing stiff competition from John Orwell Mmeh.
The Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Wing Commander (Rtd) Francis Anaman did not pick nomination forms.
Five persons-Samuel Armah Ndeblay, Ellamoh Yankey Thomas, Leo Kofi Armah Amelemah, Francis Aketsia Kwadu and Henry Woku Alimah filed nominations to vie for his post.
Other parliamentary aspirants include Joseph Kofi Mensah, Henry Abbey Harts and Patrick Harley for Essikadu-Ketan.
In Amenfi Central, three persons-Kwakye Ackah, Emmanuel Intiakoh and Alfred Amuah are vying for the post.
In Mpohor, two persons-Awortwi and Eric Kwaku Kyeremeh would face each other while in Amenfi West, Eric Afful had already been elected.
In Aowin, there are six contestants-Patrick Cobbinah, Kwame Ntow Mathias, Dr. Joseph Nyensu, Nana Meisu Adu, Frank Kwakukyi Ackah and Oscar Ofori Larbi, the District Chief Executive for the area.
Seth Kwame Dzokoto, a renowned radio presenter, is challenging Thomas Otchere in the Tarkwa constituency, while Stephen Ackah and Emmanuel Assiako are contesting in Suaman.
In Bia West, the incumbent MP Michael Boampong is being challenged by Kobina Tweneboah Koduah, the immediate-past DCE, Mustapha Abudu, Augustine Tawiah and Alexander Senwu.
Mohammed Ali and Michael Otoo are contesting in the Effia constituency race.
Three persons-Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, Kwesi Blay and Seidu Essilfie are contesting in Prestea Huni/Valley.
Some MPs-Gabriel Kojo Essilfie, MP for Shama, Isaac Adjei Mensah, MP for Wassa East and Deputy Minister for Transport and Michael Acheampong, MP for Bia East, are also going unopposed.
The rest are the Minister of Petroleum, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ellembelle, Oppong Fosu, former Minster for Local Government and Rural Development in Amenfi East and Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing and MP for Sefwi-Bodi, Sampson Ahi.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi