The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has withdrawn its parliamentary candidate for Kwahu Affram Plains South, Joseph Appiah, 67 days to the elections.

The party is yet to provide official reasons for the action but it is suspected that a pending court case against him may have been the trigger.

Mr Appiah Boateng who is also the incumbent MP for the area is alleged to have been convicted of fraud outside the country.

He was reported to have been deported to Ghana, joined the NDC and went on to represent the constituency in Parliament in 2012, a writ filed against him states.

An Accra High Court last August granted an application for  interlocutory injunction against Joseph Appiah Boateng.

The plaintiff Dickson Adjei Danso prayed the court to restrain the defendant from campaigning for the December polls until a final determination of case.

Lawyer for the plaintiff, Nkrabeah Effah Dartey told the court that Mr. Appiah Boateng does not deserve to represent the constituents in Parliament because of the criminal case.

He asked the court to disqualify him.    

According to the lawyer, "in 1998/99, the Honourable MP, known as Joseph Appiah, run away from a criminal case against him at the Osu Police Station changed his name to Charles Yeboah and travelled to new Zealand. Along the line, he got involved in a case of fraud and was convicted in Auckland and sent home to Ghana,” it stated.

The NDC Afram Plains South Constituency had earlier expressed absolute confidence in the Member of Parliament.

Deputy Communications Officer, Daniel Awute had, in August, rubbished the claims saying it is a conspiracy to tarnish his image.

Mr. Awute said if it was indeed true that the MP was a fugitive, there should be no difficulty for the country where he broke the law to apply to Interpol for him to be arrested and sent back to face justice.

Although the outcome of the suit filed by Dickson Adjei Danson is yet to be determined, the party is being proactive in order not to lose the seat.

The NDC may not want to carry the burden of fielding a candidate who is undergoing criminal trial.

In his stead, the party has directed that it's Eastern Regional Secretary, Oliver Mark-Kevor represents the party in the constituency.

Joy News' Kofi Siaw who is in the area had reported that Mr Mark-Kevor has filed his nomination to effectively bundle the current MP out of the 2016 race for parliament.  

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