It is one thing picking a form and an entirely different matter getting the’ balls’ to submit the forms.

These were the happenings after the National Democratic Congress closed the filing of nominations for Parliamentary aspirants in the central Region.

70 persons picked the party’s nomination forms throughout the entire Region. Out of this number, 66 duly satisfied the requirement and filed their nominations waiting to be vetted by the party’s vetting committee. 10 of the 66 that have successfully filed are women.

Those who filed are 13 incumbent MPs, 6 Metropolitan, Municipal Chief Executives,  4 former MMDCEs, 2 former MPs, 2 Regional Executives and 4 constituency Executives.

The battle promises to be a tighter, interesting and a keener one as the party seeks to establish its dominance in terms of the seats its holds in the Region.

In the 2012 Parliamentary elections, out of the 23 seats that were up for grabs, the NDC swept 16 leaving the NPP with 7 seats.

Starting from the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem Constituency, a constituency many consider a stronghold of the NDC judging from the historical background of the parliamentary seat and how the NDC has been performing during elections. 4 aspirants successfully filed subject to the approval of the vetting committee of their party; Dr. Samuel Attah Mills (Brother of the late president, John Evans Attah Mills), Mrs Doreen Ewuraba Mansa Manieson (she stood on the ticket of the PPP in the 2012 Parliamentary elections), Lawyer Francis Asmah (a thorough-bred party man) and Mathew Kwoffie (Constituency Secretary of the Party).

In spite of the dominance of the NDC in the constituency, the seat is being held by an NPP MP, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur. While many believe he benefitted from the confusion in the NDC party during the 2012 elections, the incumbent MP and his supporters believe the dominance of the NDC party in the constituency is a thing of the past and thus he will discharge the burden of beating whoever wins the NDC primaries.

Of the 4 persons, Dr. Samuel Mills is tipped to be on top of the race if given the nod by the vetting committee and would seek to play into a much speculated notion that is gradually becoming a truism that it is only doctors that win seats in the KEEA constituency. ((Dr. Ato Quarshie, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, Dr. J.S. Annan and Dr. Nana Ato Arthur). If he is successful in his campaign to be elected the Parliamentary candidate, he would be welcomed by another doctor, the incumbent, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur.  Having grown in the Constituency together with his brother, the late president, many believe he might benefit from the political legacy of his brother and also strive for unity, the core of his message when he submitted his form.

To the Cape Coast North Constituency, another hotbed, 5 strong personalities were successful; Anthony Egyir Aikins ( Former Mayor of Cape Coast), Kobby Acheampong (Former deputy interior Minister and now  head of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication), Charles Kojo Walker (perceived as a local boy and the CEO of Cape FM, a Radio Station situated in the constituency), Justice Boison a.k.a Alabo ( A well-known figure in Cape Coast) and Kakra Yalley ( another big wig of the NDC party in the Central region). These five notable personalities are seeking to fill the shoes of the incumbent MP and First deputy Speaker, Ebow Barton Oduro, who announced his intention not to contest again after becoming MP for two consecutive times. This race is quite open as the party’s Electoral College has been widened but some pundits perceive it is a straight battle for the former mayor, Charles Kojo Walker and probably Kobby Acheampong- But anything can happen.

Another Constituency to watch is the Ekumfi Constituency, where three personalities filed successfully; Abeiku Crentsil (incumbent), Kuntu Blankson (Former MP) and Chief Hamilton Biney (A constituency executive). With the insinuations, rancor, acrimony, backbiting and ‘the business of allegations that rages between the incumbent MP (Abeiku Crentsil),  and the former MP (Kuntu Blankson), the battle will certainly be fit for the gods if the Party’s vetting committee gives all three the nod.

In the Twifu Atti-Mokwaa Constituency, the contest will be very interesting as two other persons filed their forms to contest the incumbent, Samuel Ato Amoah. The two are Elizabeth Amoah Tetteh (a former Member of Parliament) and David Vondee (a party stalwart in the constituency). The incumbent, Samuel Ato Amoah is highly tipped to be on top of the race as of now.

In the Mfantsiman Constituency, many were held spellbound as Popular Radio presenter, Abeiku Santana, failed to pick a form let alone submit the forms after his posters went viral that he was going to be one of the key contestants in the parliamentary primaries. With the incumbent, Aquinas Tawiah Quansah hanging his Parliamentary boots, many felt Abeiku Santana would have left the microphone to try his hands at becoming a legislator. Nonetheless, three persons filed successfully; Henry Kwaku Hayfron (MCE for Mfantsiman), James Essoun (Constituency Chairman) and Kobena Mensah Mannor. Pundits believe that it is a fierce contest between the Constituency Chair and the MCE.

Agona East Constituency saw the incumbent, Queenstar Pokuaa Sawyer, and Efua Bram-Larbi filing their nomination forms. It is a battle of two women but certainly ‘a David and Goliath’ battle. Of the two, connoisseurs predict the incumbent stands tall.

Efutu Constituency saw broadcaster, Eric Don Arthur, Ambrose Entsiwah and Kweku Bortsie Ghartey filing successfully. The eyes of many people would be fixated on this constituency to see  if the broadcaster would be able to pull through to stage a bigger contest with the incumbent NPP MP, Alex Afenyo Markin in the 2016 Parliamentary elections.

Gomoa West saw Francis Kojo Arthur (incumbent) and Samuel Kwesi Fletcher (VRA spokesperson). This is certainly going to be a difficult contest that will generate an interesting outcome- too close to call.

Assin North saw Samuel Ambre (Incumbent), James Quayson Jnr. and Augustina Amoakoh filing successfully.

In the Assin Central where NPP’s Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is the incumbent MP, Dr. Richard Kofi Asiedu, Alex Dewise Antwi Boasiako (Former DCE) and Dr. Kofi Blankson (DCE) submitted their forms.

Assin South: Nana Kwabena Anomafo (DCE) and Sabina Appiah-Kubi (Former DCE)

Gomoa Central: Rachael Appoh (incumbent), Ekow Dampson, J.E.Adams and Arthur Duncan successfully filed their nominations.

Gomoa East: Theophilus Kofi Ampah, Desmond De-graft Paitoo and Bruce Amissah

Upper Denkyira West: Ambrose Amoah Ashyia, Alex Dorman and Lawyer Darko filed successfully.

Upper Denkyira East: Emilia Ankomah (MCE), Sekyere Koi Thompson and Paul Boateng were able to submit their forms.

Hemang Lower Denkyira: Foster Joseph Andoh (incumbent MP) and Bright Amankrah.

Ewutu Senya East saw 4 persons file their nominations successfully. Daniel Awer, Robert Amissah, Lawyer Kanga Kerse, Rev. Quansah and Adams Nuhu (MCE).

Ewutu Senya West: Hanna Serwaa Tetteh (Incumbent MP) and Captain Asuako Wiredu. Many eyes will be on this constituency as we wait which of the two faces NPP’s George Andah.

Abura Asebu Kwamankese: Six people filed their nominations; Dr. Samuel Kweku Hayford, Kweku Ansrow,  Ekua Swanzy (Regional Women Organizer), Eric Akosah, Anthony Christian Dadzie ( incumbent MP) and William Attah Mends ( former DCE).

Cape Coast South: Incumbent, Kweku Ricketts-Hagan and Thomas Hughes Amissah aka skillful.

Asikuma Odobeng Brakwa: Georgina Nkrumah Aboah (Incumbent) and Alhaji Alhassan Ghansah.

Two Incumbent MPs might qualify to be acclaimed if they are given the nod by the vetting committee. Cassiel Ato Forson of the Ajumkao Enyan Essiam Constituency and Lawyer Obeng Inkoom of the Agona West Constituency.