My Decision To Withdraw From Akuapem South NPP Race Is In The Best Interest of The Party—OB Amoah Speaks
Honourable Amoah, who also holds the position of Chairman of the Research Committee of the Party, has cited personal reasons, disclosing that his choice to not seek re-election, made just days before the election, was the result of consultations with the party's leadership.
Freeman Koryekpor 
THE MEMBER of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem South Constituency in the Eastern Region, Honourable Osei Bonsu Amoah popularly known as OB Amoah, has stated that his decision to announce his withdrawal from the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for January 27, 2024 is in the best interest of the party.
Honourable Amoah, who also holds the position of Chairman of the Research Committee of the Party, has cited personal reasons, disclosing that his choice to not seek re-election, made just days before the election, was the result of consultations with the party's leadership.
"I have been in Parliament for four terms and have also served in the executive, gathering a lot of experience along the way. I am still active in the party.
“I withdrew for the national interest of the party and personal interest," citinewroomm.com quoted him to have said in an interview.
Despite stepping away from the race, Amoah has also called on delegates in the Akuapem South constituency to ensure peaceful elections, urging them to rally behind the eventual winner to ensure the party retains the seat.
“I meet delegates and speak to them every time, and the most critical thing is on Saturday, we have peaceful elections and rally behind the winner to ensure that we retain the seat,” he added.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development has pulled out from the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primary in the Akuapem South constituency where he serves as the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the area.
His withdrawal from the parliamentary race was contained in a letter he sent to the NPP through its General Secretary dated January 19, 2024.
“I write to inform you that I have decided to withdraw as a candidate for the election of a Parliamentary Candidate for the General Elections in 2024 in the Akuapem South constituency”, part of the letter which was copied the Eastern Regional and Akuapem South NPP Chairmen read.
He added ‘I respectfully request that in accordance with the Public Elections Regulations, 2016, C. I. 94, my name should be deleted on the ballot paper for the election”.
It is immediately not known what informed his decision to quit from seeking a fourth term re-election into the country’s legislature.
However, reliable sources close to Amoah say the former deputy Minister of Youth and Sports’ decision to pick forms and file nomination to contest for the parliamentary primary was very strategic in maintaining the seat for the UP tradition.
Reports had earlier emerged that the Akuapem South Municipal Chief Executive, Frank Aidoo, was lacing his boots to contest the primary, an action which was contrary to the rules and regulation that was set up by the party to guide the conduct of MMDCEs wanting to contest the NPP parliamentary primaries where there is a sitting MP.
This was confirmed when the MCE picked and filed his nomination to contest the primary when nominations were opened nationwide.
However, his hope to represent the party in the 2024 parliamentary elections was dashed when he was disqualified for failing to resign his position two years prior to the contest per the dictates of the guidelines that were set out by the party.
Other aspirants in the Akuapem South NPP primary include Kwame Ofori-Gyau, and Eric Samuel Annor-Mensah.
Some persons familiar with the political dynamics in the Akuapem South constituency say Amoah’s decision to withdraw from the contest puts his boy, Eric Annor-Mensah at a very advantageous position to win the contest to represent the party in the general elections as their parliamentary candidate.
Amoah, who became a lawmaker for the constituency on January 7, 2013, joins other experienced lawmakers such as the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu, MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, MP for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Okere, Dan Kwaku Botwe, and MP for Atiwa West, Kwasi Amoako-Atta.
Others are MP for Sefwi Wiaso, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, MP for Oforikrom, Emmanuel Marfo, MP for Atwima Nwabiagya, Benito Owusu-Bio, MP for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah, MP for New Juabeng North, Nana Kwasi Adjei Boateng, MP for Afigya Kwabre South, William Owuraku Aidoo and MP for Ahafo Ano South-West, Johnson Adu.
The rest are MP Ahafo Ano South-East, Francis Manu-Adabor, MP for Ahafo Ano North, Sulemana Sanid, and MP for Ahanta West, Kojo Kum.
