A former Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong, on Monday morning submitted his nomination forms to contest the Nhyiaeso Parliamentary ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries.
Accompanied by over 500 supporters, Mr Sarpong who is currently the Managing Director of the State Housing Company walked about four miles through some principal streets of Kumasi before submitting the forms.
Although the NDC closed nomination last week, it extended the Ashanti Regional deadline for an extra one week due to delays in the compilation of its biometric register in the region.
Addressing his supporters, many of whom were clad in branded t-shirts with inscription “Edwumapa Ntoaso” to wit, “the continuance of the good work”, an elated Mr Sarpong stated “the NDC primaries is not my target. My focus is snatching the seat from the NPP. I promise that I will do exactly that”.
He, therefore, urged others who have expressed interest to contest the primaries to stop wasting resources and throw in the towel and join forces with him to take the seat from the NPP and also increase President Mahama’s votes in the constituency.
According to Mr Sarpong he was calling on others to stop wasting resources because he was going to win the primaries hands down.
He told the excited supporters at the Nhyiaeso NDC party office that he joined the race in response to series of calls from members of both the NDC and surprisingly some leading members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who believed that he has the qualities to bring development to the area.
He explained that after consultations with family, party executives and some elders in the region, he took the bold step to pick the forms.
“I have been overwhelmed by the show of support and good counsel from people from both sides of the political divide to ensure that I lead them as their Member of Parliament (MP) in 2016”.
Mr Sarpong said just as his tenure as regional minister and Mayor of Kumasi saw unprecedented development in the region, same will occur in the constituency.
Mr Sarpong who worked as Ashanti Regional Head of the then Serious Fraud Office (SFO) now Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) was appointed Kumasi Mayor in 2009 by late President J.E.A. Mills.
In 2013, President John Mahama appointed him as Ashanti Regional Minister, transferred him to Central region and later moved back to Ashanti regional but was sacked over disagreements between him and his deputy, Joseph Yammin.
