Sebastian R. Freiku
12 August 2008
Bekwai-Ash — FIVE COMMUNITIES in the Amansie East constituency have openly banned the sitting Member of Parliament from pasting or displaying his posters in the area, in his bid to canvass for votes for the ruling NPP.
They are Adankranya, Anhwiam, Emenasi, Amoamo and Sesekro. Other communities which have issued a caveat on the beleaguered MP are Ahwiaa, Koneyaw, Asokore, Poano, Abodom and Asankare among others.
The constituents do not want to see his posters neither would they countenance his presence in the communities. They do not want to be part of his dormant attitude towards NPP activities.
Their threat manifested last Sunday 3rd, 2008, when the constituency organizer, Ebenezer Osei Kwadwo, alias Joe Santa, in the company of the constituency chairman, Atta Kwasi Snr., had the shock of their lives as constituents of Koneyaw reportedly assaulted them.
They were there to distribute the MP's 'T' shirts and money to some of the constituents. Even at the offer of GH¢5.00 in addition to 'T' shirts, the people would not want to have anything to do with Mr. Ignatius Kofi Poku Adusei who was re-elected at the May 10, 2008, NPP primary at Kokofu with 70 votes.
The MP's campaign team, however, managed to distribute about 40 T shirts at Essumeja to people who also received GH¢20 for accepting the 'T' shirts.
In 2004, the MP's shirts sold at GH¢1.00 and the people were rushing for it at will.
The MP is accused of destroying the NPP in the constituency because he did not set foot in the constituency to supervise and monitor the 11-day registration exercise.
Last May, known supporters of Mr. Kofi Poku Adusei, the Member of Parliament for Amansie East constituency and Deputy Minister of Fisheries went into self exile shortly after the MP had been declared winner of the controversial May 10 primary held at Kokofu.
All members of the constituency executives, except the Youth Organizer, Nana Yaw Nketia, also had to relocate and distanced themselves from party activities.
Joe Santa, the Constituency Organizer had to relocate to the neigbouring communities only to sneak into Bekwai under the cover of darkness, while the Treasurer, Amankwa, has limited his activities to Huntado, where he resides.
Mr. C. O. Atta Kwesi Senior and Mr. Gyamfi Brempong, the constituency Chairman and first vice Chairman respectively, seldom visited Bekwai
The Chronicle has gathered that the constituents have brought pressure to bear on some of the polling station Chairmen who voted for the MP to undo their decision by whatever means possible, or face their wrath, which has forced most of them into exile to save their dear lives.
Among the polling station chairmen said to have gone into self-exile were Mr. John Addai (Abesewa), Akwasi Addai (Denyase) Margaret Amoah (Essumeja) Mercy Anokye (Mensaase) and one Joyce, who had been imposed as chairperson of Asebu Temporary booth at Abrosanase at Bekwai. Others are Joshua Addai (Subriso), Mike Appiagyei Adams (Asokore), Yaw Frimpong, (Koneyaw) and Mr. Appiah, (Bogyawe).
Mr. Oppong Kyekyeku has openly apologized at a meeting of the polling chairmen at Bekwai on Sunday May 25, 2008, for pitching camp with the embattled MP before the primary.
He told the meeting that he was outwitted to join a car which took him to a hotel at Agona for camping prior to the primary.
According to Oppong Kyekyeku, all cell phones of such "captives" were seized and that his cell phone had still not been returned to him. He said he feels much relieved after he returned to the camp of defeated aspirant Mr. Osei-Owusu and promised never to make the mistake of following MP Kofi Poku Adusei in his life again.
The Chronicle has gathered that the MP intends to change members of his campaign team to win favours with the constituents who are said to be hostile to the current team, made up most of constituency executives.
Meanwhile, The Chronicle can report that the NPP constituency secretariat has been relocated under trees, at the premises of the Amansie East Municpal Assembly.
It follows the closure of the office since May 14, 2008, shortly after the Police brutalities of people of Bekwai.
The landlord, one Mr. Ernest has taken over the office accommodation. It is said that the Secretariat owed unspecified arrears in rent.
The landlord feared his property might be destroyed in the heat of tension surrounding the parliamentary seat at Bekwai.
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