The governing NPP’s parliamentary candidate for Bantama says his party is not threatened by the selection of Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang as vice presidential candidate for the NDC's John Mahama.

Francis Asenso-Boakye is certain that Ghanaians will reward the Akufo-Addo administration for its good work, therefore, the party is not moved by the former Education Minister’s nomination.

“We believe Ghanaians will renew our mandate considering our sterling record in government. We are not taking her and John Mahama for granted at all. We will work extra hard and ensure a resounding victory for President Akufo-Addo and the NPP in the 2020 election.”

“Based on our record in government, I can say Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang will not be a threat to the electoral fortunes of NPP. We have significantly improved the living conditions of Ghanaians through the various interventions implemented by this government like Free SHS, Planting for Food & Jobs, NABCO, among others”, he added when he participated in the ongoing voters’ registration exercise in his constituency.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s nomination in his view gives the governing party an opportunity to rather make a realistic assessment of what he described as her below average record in public office, especially as Education Minister.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye reiterated his party’s accusation that it was during her tenure as Education Minister that teacher trainee allowances were cancelled.

“…teachers who had worked for over two years were paid only three months salaries; and left the education sector debt-burdened which affected the supply of teaching and learning materials including chalks.”

Commenting on the voters’ registration exercise, the deputy Chief of Staff observed that the exercise was being conducted in an orderly manner.

He was also impressed with the adherence to social distancing and other Covid-19 safety protocols put in place by the government and Electoral Commission at the registration centre.

He stressed the need for all the safety protocols to be adhered to because “the fight against the pandemic is a shared responsibility that requires every citizen to take personal responsibility to avoid further spread of the virus.

“Government has demonstrated its commitment to fight the virus by providing leadership and the needed resources since the outbreak of the virus in Ghana. What is left is for the citizenry to also do our part by following these protocols”, he added.

The Electoral Commission (EC) commenced the compilation of a new biometric voters register on Thursday, June 30. The exercise, which is being held at all registration centres and district offices of the EC throughout the country, is scheduled to end on August 7.

In all, there will be five phases during the registration period, with each registration team working for a period of six days in each phase within the cluster.