Opare-Ansah runs for NPP General Secretary

Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Suhum Constituency, Frederick Opare Ansah would be contesting for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) national executive position of General Secretary when the party opens nominations, the New Publisher has confirmed.

Opare-Ansah, mostly known as ‘Fred’, served as Deputy Minister for Communication under the John Agyekum Kufuor-led Government and represented the Suhum Constituency in Parliament for four terms in a row.

The New Publisher has gathered that Fred Opare-Ansah has concluded all consultations, negotiations and the necessary ‘ways and means’ ahead of when the party would formally open nominations for national elections.

His topmost priority for wanting to become General Secretary is to ensure the NPP is retained in government come next general elections and that the party is organized into a formidable and well structured political force where members are well motivated to develop their dreams in freedom.

Fred, the paper gathered has gone on a national tour across the 16 regions more than thrice, speaking with key decision makers and relevant stakeholders after which he firmed up his mind to agree to calls on him to contest for the Chief Scribe post.

Opare-Ansah, who started as a student leader during his University days at the KNUST has the hallmark of a meticulous planer and skillful organizer.

He raised eyebrows in 2004 after he floored the then MP for Suhum, Ransford Agyapong at a keenly contested internal party-primaries which may thought he had a slim chance of winning.

He was to face an even tougher and more dramatic internal party contest when he slugged it out with Bryan Acheampong, the now MP for Abetifi, in what became known as the never ending ’51-51’ tie.

In Parliament, Fred won the admiration of Members from both sides of the House and he eventually rose to become the Minority Chief whip from 2009 to 2013.

He was a member of the ECOWS Parliament from 2011 till he left Parliament and served as Ranking Member for Communications from 2013 to 2017.

Fred also served as a member of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee and later as a member of the Finance Committee.

After serving for four terms as MP for Suhum, Fred lost the parliamentary primaries to Kwadwo Asante and immediately called on his supporters to start campaigning for the new candidate.

After bowing out from Parliament, Opare-Ansah wrote a rather touching commentary on some of his great moments during his tenure as MP and Deputy Minister.

He wrote:

16 years ago today, I was sworn in as the Member of Parliament representing the good people of Suhum. Yesterday, I officially ended my role as the MP for Suhum after years of committed service.

During the period, I had the opportunity to serve as a Deputy Minister of State at the Ministry of Communications. I served as the Minority Whip for the Party and was part of Ghana’s delegation to ECOWAS for over 8 years. I also had opportunity to serve on very important committees of the House and Chair the Communications committee both in my premier and final terms.

Some of my good moments in the House include:
– Supporting the late Hon Baah Wiredu to introduce the Communication Service Tax bill;
– Sponsoring an amendment that saw the creation of the common platform (currently operated by Kelni-GVG);
– Sponsoring an amendment that effectively blocked the operator of the Interconnect Clearing House from operating the common platform
– Sponsoring an amendment which led to the debate that resulted in delaying the implementation of the Right to information Act after its passage.

For my work in the Constituency I believe my record will speak for itself and constituents will remain my witnesses. I believe I sincerely contributed my quota in making Suhum Constituency a better place.

Let me use the opportunity to thank my Constituents and the Party for the opportunity to serve and for the confidence they reposed in me for all these years! Until my election in 2004, no MP, had survived more than a term and the seat had never belonged to the opposition in Parliament.

Suhum has been good to me and for that I shall forever remain thankful. I pledge to continue to support the people and communities in our developmental efforts.

To my family members I say thank you all for the support and advice over the period.

I also give thanks to the traditional leaders led by my own senior brother Osabarima Ayeh Kofi for the support and advice over the years. Thank you Nananom!

Special thanks goes to my friend and confidant the Senior former Member of Parliament for Suhum, the Hon Ransford Agyepong, who after losing to me in the 2004 primary has become like a Senior brother and political advisor. I hope we can continue on this journey together.

I use the opportunity to congratulate the fresh Member of Parliament for Suhum, Hon. Kwadjo Asante for his successful investiture and to reiterate my pledge to support him as he embarks on this journey and begin to take his baby steps today. Congratulations Honourable!

Finally, I thank God for giving me the needed strength, resources and wisdom over the period of my service to Suhum Constituency. I pray for His continued guidance in my future endeavors.