OCTHERE DARKO TO CONTEST AYAWASO EAST NDC PRIMARIES

A trained forensic expert and investigative psychologist,  Mr. Kwadjo Octhere Darko has disclosed  that he will put his name forward to contest the Ayawaso East Constituency NDC primaries when the party opens nominations for parliamentary aspirants.

Mr.  Octhere Darko pointed out that this is  the right time for him to made his intentions known  to the NDC delegates in the constituency.

” It’s not a misplaced priority that I ready myself to contest the primaries to represent Ayawaso East at parliament on the ticket of the great NDC party” .On why he wants to contest   at Ayawaso East and now that the party is in opposition, the hopeful Octhere Darko noted that he believes in fighting during the hard and trying  times to prove his worth for the party and the people.

He further explained that he choses East Ayawaso because that’s his constituency since childhood and has close ties with the people there, adding that “the NDC constitution doesn’t discriminate against any eligible candidate ” .

Speaking exclusively to this reporter in Accra during the weekend , the MP hopeful was of the view that the time has come for Ghana and Africa at large to change its ways of doing politics.

He said gone are the days when the masses worship the elected leaders or politicians and that  the triangle has now change to the elected leaders worshiping or carrying the electorates or the masses.

Mr. Octhere Darko noted that most politicians especially parliamentarians do not go to the legislative house to serve but to enrich themselves.

” It is time the elected ones reorient themselves with modern trends of doing politics which is to serve rather than to enrich themselves “. 

Even though Mr. Okyere Darko admitted that it would be difficult to change and adopt the modern political trends, he was adamant ” it can still be achieved through rigorous sensitization and leading by example”.

On what unique things he would bring on board when giving the nod to lead the NDC in the constituency,  he mentioned among other things that his focus would be on how to re-equip the weak branches of the party within the constituency.

Most  branches per my research are very weak due to the fact that most of the executives are jobless and can therefore not spearhead  both the respective  resource and human  mobilization process of the party at the grassroots.

To make the branches vibrant and work again, I  will put in place lucrative self sustaining ventureship for the branches to be manned by the  same branch executives.

He mentioned that as an MP he will negotiate with all corporate bodies within the constituency on job placement.  ” The first point of call for vacancies at this corporate bodies should be to the MP’s office where qualified indigenes of the constituency can be employed . This he said will help lessen the unemployment burden on both the MP and the government.

He indirectly applauded NPP National Chairman Mr. Blay for the initiative of providing buses to all the constituencies prior to the NPP ‘s national delegates congress .  Even though the timing for that gesture was wrong , I believe it’s a laudable initiative worthy of emulation as it will help resource and generate incomes for the constituencies.

He mentioned among other things high unemployment ,low education and sanitation as some of the challenges bedeviling the constituency that if he is given the nod or not will help address.

He said it’s time the NDC in general as well as  the Ayawaso East   takes a second look at aspirants they present to parliament. We need to present people who are formidable and  proactive who can Champion the causes of the people.

He however advised that the aspirants for the MP slot engage in decent ,free and fair campaign devoid of insults, allegations and counter allegations. The primaries should be a won on ideas and not the other way round.

The present general outlook of the NDC he said looks good and bright.  We have recovered from the shock  2016 election loss and have put things in places . Some recommendations of the Kwesi Botchwey led committee report are been implemented and  that  branch ,constituency , regional and national elections have also been organised successfully .
” This indicates that the party is on the right track and poised for victory come 2020″ he said.

He  however expressed his discontent on how certain internal issues of the party were handled in the past with regards to the founder Jerry John Rawlings.

He was of the view that even if Rawlings had made a mistake, the party should have chosen some elders to dialogue with him instead of the incessant attacks from both younger and older members of the party.

He cautioned the youth to desist from been used by politicians as political thugs to cause troubles during electioneering periods in the country. ” Any politician who wants you to act as a thug for him or his party ,ask him where is his children ” he posited.

Mr. Octhere Darko used the opportunity to wish Ghanaians and  more especially the people of Ayawaso East Constituency a merry Christmas and a prosperous Happy New Year.

Mohammed Saani Ibrahim