NPP rival groups clash at NCCE Sunyani Parliamentary debate
A confrontation between supporters of the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East, Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh and a rival independent parliamentary candidate, Ambassador George Kumi on Tuesday resulted in the cancellation of a scheduled debate for parliamentary candidates in Sunyani.
Advertisement
A scuffle ensued between the supporters of the two candidates even before the programme organised by the National Commission for Civil Education (NCCE) begun.
But for the timely intervention of the police the scuffle would have resulted in bloodshed.
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh and his supporters were already seated before supporters of Ambassador Kumi and his supporters entered the Methodist Cathedral where the programme was being organised.
However, exchange of words among supporters of the two factions ensued in the chapel and continued even after they had been calmed down outside the chapel.
There has been tension between supporters of the two candidates who contested in the New Patriotic Party’s primary for the Sunyani Constituency last year.
Even though Ambassador Kumi lost the primary by one vote he was not satisfied with the results and took the matter to the Sunyani High Court.
When the court ordered a recount of the ballots, the single ballot which was the subject of the dispute was counted in favour of Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh to enable him win the contest by two votes.
After the verdict, Ambassador Kumi declared his intention to contest as an independent candidate and filed his nomination when the Electoral Commission opened the nominations.
Speaking to Graphic Online, the Sunyani Municipal Director of the NCCE, Mr Eric Adu stated that a reinforcement of the police had to be called to ensure that the situation did not degenerate into bloodshed.
He explained that in consultation with the security agencies and advice from the headquarters of the NCCE, he had to cancel the programme.
