147 Parliamentary candidates contesting seats in Greater Accra
One hundred and forty-seven (147) parliamentary candidates from five political parties and eight independent candidates are contesting the 34 seats in the Greater Accra Region in the 2016 elections.
Out of the number, 119 are males and 28 females.
Ablekuma West Constituency recorded the highest number of contestants – three males and three females from five political parties and an independent candidate.
Six constituencies also recorded the lowest number of three candidates each – Weija Gbawe, Amansaman, Ablekuma North, Dadakotopon, Tema Central and Sege.
The Weija Gbawe constituency stands out as gender active constituency as all the three Parliamentary Candidate representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) are women.
Mr George Kwame Amoah, Greater Accra Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), who disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said Gbawe Weija and Ablekuma West constituencies registered three women each, the highest in terms of women who filed their candidature to contest.
The analysis formed part of “GNA Tracks Election 2016 project”, which sought to sensitise the electorate on the various issues raised by political parties, elections management body (EC) and other governance institutions.
The project also sought to ensure gender and social inclusion in national politics, provide voice for the youth, vulnerable groups, opinion leaders and the broader spectrum of the society, to achieve a peaceful poll on December 7.
It also aimed at creating a platform to dissect the manifestoes of all political parties and provide in-depth analysis of each thematic area to the electorate to enable them to make an informed judgment.
Mr Amoa said 10 constituencies namely: Domeabra Obom; Anyaa/Sowutuom; Okaikwei Central; Korley Klottey; Dadekotopon; Ledzokuku; Tema Central; Ashaiman; Adentan and Ada registered a woman each, representing the least.
He said no female has filed to contest in 16 constituencies. Those constituencies are Bortianor/Ngleshie Amanfro; Amansaman; Madina; Ayawaso East; Ayawaso North; Ayawaso Central; Ayawaso West; Okaikwei North; Ablekuma South; Odododiodoo, Tema East ; Tema West; Kpone Katamanso; Shai- Osudoku; Ningo Prampram, and Sege.
Mr Amoa said the NDC and the NPP filed parliamentary candidates in all the 34 constituencies; Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP), which filed 30 candidates; Progressive Peoples’ Party, 24 candidates; eight independent candidates; the Peoples’ National Convention (PNC), six candidates, National Democratic Party and All Peoples’ Congress filed four candidates each.
He said Great Consolidated Peoples’ Party, Democratic Popular Party and United Progressive Party filed a candidate each, while the United Front Party, Independent People’s Party and Ghana Freedom Party did not file any candidate in the Region.
Source: GNA