The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary aspirant for the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections, Delali Kwesi Brempong has denied stating the New Patriotic Party (NPP) made a mistake by electing a woman (Lydia Seyram Alhassan) as their candidate.
It is alleged that Mr Delali Brempong, in a video circulating on various media platforms, said by selecting a woman to represent the NPP, it gives him an upper hand for victory in the elections.
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In a statement signed by the aspirant, Delali Brempong, he explained he writes to “emphatically deny the above-stated story being circulated on various media platforms by officials, assigns and surrogates of the NPP”.
“Confronted by imminent defeat in the upcoming by-election, the NPP has resorted to a campaign of lies and calumny all in an attempt to smear political opponents but I believe that electorates of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency are discerning and will not fall for these fabrications and manipulative antics of the NPP,” his statement read.
Mr Brempong further stated he has so much respect for women and appreciates their active participation in every societal discourse.
“I have always worked with and respected women as capable representatives of the Ghanaian society. As such, I wish to place on record that at no occasion in the said interview did I make any statement attacking women as incapable of leadership roles whether in politics or in any other field of endeavour,” Mr Brempong’s statement said.
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The statement, however, stressed that the signee had problems with the status of the aspirant in the life of her husband Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko who was the MP for the constituency till his death in November.
“What I am against is an impostor parading as a widow when she is not; a person who disrespects the customs and traditions of Ghanaian. Since the death of my long-time friend, Mr Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko, a lot of people who are infuriated and have come to love the late MP have raised concerns.”
“I wish to state without equivocation that as a Ghanaian brought up according to our customs, I abhor the open disregard for the dignity of the family and children of the late MP of the constituency,” he added.
“His death has seen my opponent openly parade the under-age children of my long-time friend on the streets to solicit for votes at the time they were grieving the sudden and painful death of their father. No one can excuse such predatory behavior; and it is that which I have condemned and will always condemn.”
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“The people of the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency continue to turn up in their numbers everywhere my campaign team and I go; they have shown wide acceptance and incredible support for my message of change and policies for development and effective representation for the people of Ayawaso West Wuogon.”
“Hence, no last-minute gimmickry will change the victory that approaches for the National Democratic Congress on whose ticket I stand in this by-election.”
“It is too late in the day for the desperate NPP to pitch the women of the constituency against me through emotional blackmail. The die is cast and it is clear that the people of Ayawaso West Wuogon will not fall for the deceptions of the NPP.”