By Amoako Kwame
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has expressed disappointment that there was no female candidate contesting the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election.
Speaking at a Political Inclusion and Consensus Building Forum organised by the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) on Wednesday, February 18, Bagbin expressed his concern over women not being represented in parliament and pledged support for women candidates willing to take the baton.
“I was waiting for any party to have fielded a female candidate in the Ayawaso East by-election. I will personally support the candidate because we need more of our women in Parliament. Unfortunately, the parties have disappointed me,” he said.
Five candidates are in the race. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is represented by Baba Jamal, who drew number one on the ballot paper. The Liberal People’s Party (LPP) candidate, Ibrahim Iddrisu, picked number two. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Yussif Baba Ali, secured the number three position, while independent candidates Alhaji Mohammed Umar Sanda and David Kannor will appear in the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
The by-election was prompted by the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Mahama Naser Toure, in January while receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
