Don’t Contest Agyarko’s Seat – Mubarak to NDC

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak has called on the National Democratic Congress and all opposition parties not to field a candidate for the Ayawaso Wuogon parliamentary by-election.

His statement follows the death of the MP for the Constituency, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko which occurred on Wednesday, October 21.

In a post on social media yesterday, the former boss of the National Youth Authority wrote; “I do not think the NDC or any other party should put up a candidate for Hon. Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko‘s vacant seat.”

Article 112 (5) of the Constitution accords that a by-election should be held when a seating MP passes on.

This allows contestants from the opposition parties contest for the seat.

However, the Kumbungu MP has asserted that there should be an agreement which prevents opposition parties from contesting in the by-election when a sitting MP passes on, but rather allows the deceased’s political party select a new candidate.

This according to him saves the country and the parties resources, adding that “democracy can be made less expensive. It all depends on us.”

Mr. Agyarko who was formerly the Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Board now Authority (FDA), hailed from Odumasi-Krobo in the Eastern Region.

Born on December 10, 1957, the deceased was a pharmacist, a medical doctor and a politician.

He had a Bachelor in Pharmacy which he obtained at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in the year 1982.

Before his demise, he was the Chairperson of the Environment, Science and Technology Committee in Parliament. He also served on the Government Assurance and Health Committees.

The late MP was a Fellow of the Ghana College of Pharmacists and was the brother of former Energy Minister, Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko.

He was married with seven children.

By: Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum