The Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, has dismissed concerns over the Minority caucus’s petition seeking to declare his seat vacant. Despite the mounting controversy, Kwakye-Ackah has expressed his indifference to the petition, stating that he remains unfazed and is concentrating on his independent candidacy for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Kwakye-Ackah, who has served as the MP for Amenfi Central under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), recently decided to contest the 2024 elections as an independent candidate. His departure from the NDC stems from what he describes as unfair treatment by the party, specifically citing their support for another candidate in the Amenfi Central parliamentary race. According to Kwakye-Ackah, the party’s endorsement of his opponent without giving him a fair chance led to his decision to go independent.
The discontent began when the NDC declared his opponent as the party’s parliamentary candidate for Amenfi Central, a move Kwakye-Ackah strongly opposed. He claims the endorsement came after his opponent was accused of forging documents, leading to a court injunction that disrupted the parliamentary primary. Despite these allegations, the individual was declared unopposed by the NDC, which Kwakye-Ackah believes was highly unjust.
In an interview with Citi News in Parliament on Tuesday, October 15, Kwakye-Ackah shed light on the series of events that led to his decision to sever ties with the NDC. He recounted feeling betrayed by the party’s actions and noted that he could no longer tolerate the unfairness within the party.
“The announcement went out that I said I had given my support to the person who forged documents, and because of that, the court injuncted it [the parliamentary primary], and the person was declared unopposed. I felt that no, that is not fair. Sometimes they should treat people fairly,” Kwakye-Ackah remarked.
He went on to criticize the NDC’s handling of the situation, arguing that the party had failed to provide him with a level playing field. “If you say you are going to rerun, give everybody a fair chance, and if the person loses fairly, he will understand. Why should you open the nomination and just take my money, just keep my GH¢45,000, which is no small money?” he questioned.
This dissatisfaction with the party’s internal processes ultimately prompted Kwakye-Ackah to pursue his independent bid. According to him, the people of Amenfi Central should have the opportunity to decide whether they still want him as their MP, without the influence of party politics. “So I have decided that if the people want me, I will go independent,” he declared.
Kwakye-Ackah’s decision to run as an independent candidate puts him at odds with his former party, which is now pushing for his seat to be declared vacant. The Minority caucus in Parliament has filed a petition, seeking to remove Kwakye-Ackah from his seat, citing the fact that he is no longer affiliated with the NDC, the party under which he was elected. However, Kwakye-Ackah appears undeterred by this development, remaining focused on his upcoming campaign.
As tensions rise within the NDC and among his constituents, Kwakye-Ackah has made it clear that his priority is to serve the people of Amenfi Central. He emphasized that his commitment to his constituents remains unchanged, regardless of the party’s stance. “I believe the people know what I have done for them, and I trust that they will support me in this new journey,” he said.
Kwakye-Ackah’s decision to go independent has garnered mixed reactions from his constituents and political observers alike. While some have voiced their support for his stance against what they see as party injustice, others have expressed concerns that his decision may split the NDC vote in Amenfi Central, potentially weakening the party’s chances in the upcoming elections.
The Amenfi Central seat is regarded as a stronghold for the NDC, and Kwakye-Ackah’s independent bid could create an unpredictable political landscape in the constituency. However, Kwakye-Ackah remains confident that the people will rally behind him based on his track record and contributions to the development of the area.
As the 2024 elections approach, Kwakye-Ackah’s independent campaign will be closely watched, with many eager to see how the situation unfolds. His defiance against the NDC’s decision and his subsequent independent bid could have significant implications not only for the Amenfi Central seat but also for the broader political dynamics within the NDC.
For now, Kwakye-Ackah remains firm in his decision, stating that he is ready to serve his people without the backing of the party. “At the end of the day, it is the people’s choice that matters. If they want me to continue serving them, I will be there for them, and that is what I am focusing on,” he concluded.
As the battle for the Amenfi Central seat intensifies, it remains to be seen how Kwakye-Ackah’s independent candidacy will affect the outcome of the election. However, one thing is certain: Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah is determined to chart his own path, regardless of the NDC’s efforts to remove him from the political arena.
