Mr. Kwaku Duah, the Independent Parliamentary Candidate for the Kumawu By-Election, has described claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that he is sponsored by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a distraction and an attempt to divert people's attention away from pertinent issues in the region.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as 'Chairman Wontumi' while addressing NPP members after a successful primary at Kumawu Besore, said: "As the regional Chairman leading the party into this by-election, I can confirm that as of now, the NDC candidate and the former NPP member who has rebelled against us to contest as an independent candidate sponsored by the NDC behind the scenes is now powerless and weak".
In an interview on Angel FM Kumasi, Mr. Kwaku Duah refuted this claim, characterizing it as a distraction and a strategy to derail discussions on the real development issues that must be addressed in the Kumawu constituency.
According to him, he is running for the office in order to bring development to his constituents, as he believes the New Patriotic Party (NPP)-led government has failed them.
He stated categorically that he decided to run for office because the youth in his constituency demanded that he do so as their preferred candidate.
Mr Kwaku Duah also disclosed that the NPP leadership has begun calling him to convince him to resign, but he insisted that he will not alter his mind regardless of what the party leadership offers.
In terms of development, the Independent candidate also accused the current administration of the NPP, led by President Akufo-Addo, of ignoring the constituency for far too long.
Mr. Kwaku Duah will compete against Mr. Ernest Yaw Anim of the NPP and Mr. Kwasi Amankwah of the NDC.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has scheduled the elections for Tuesday, May 23, 2023.