Mr Asenso-Boakye filing his forms
Francis Asenso-Boakye, a deputy Chief of Staff, on Saturday filed his nomination forms to contest the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primaries in the Bantama constituency of the Ashanti region.
Mr Asenso-Boakye will be contesting the incumbent, Daniel Okyem Aboagye, who ousted Henry Kwabena Kokofu, the former MP, in the last primaries.
Third time lucky?
The deputy Chief of Staff said it is a privilege to have yet another opportunity to make himself available to represent the people of Bantama constituency.
“This will be the third time that I submit myself to be considered by the dutiful delegates of the constituency. I do so with a humble heart and an unwavering conviction that there’s nothing more fulfilling than the honour to represent and serve your people.
“I’m hopeful that, this time around, I would have sufficiently earned their trust and confidence to merit an endorsement,” he said in a statement.
Recalling some fond memories of the constituency, he said he owes the person he is now to Bantama.
“It has nurtured me into becoming a person of value by instilling in me, a sense of purpose and identity. When by good fortune I got a Rotary scholarship to study in America, I took with me the virtues of kindness, compassion and communal spirit that permeates life in Bantama. I know of no other home than Bantama,” he stated.
Party work
Chronicling how he started with the party, and rose through the ranks, Mr Asenso-Boakye said he first started as a foot soldier in the Bantama area till he founded the Tertiary Institutions Confederacy of the NPP (TESCON-NPP).
“Together with colleagues like John Krugu, Sefa Dwamena and Steve Amoah, we led a massive drive to mobilise over 2000 tertiary students in the Ashanti region who served as polling agents in the three Northern regions during the 2000 elections.
This is a feat unparalleled in the history of student mobilisation. I’m proud to see how TESCON has become: a vibrant and dynamic students’ arm of our party. Aside TESCON, I also had the honour to serve as a youth organiser for the then North America branch of the party,” he said.
He also said that he has no shred of doubt that President Akufo-Addo appointed him as his political assistant due to his commitment and dedication to duty.
“In appointing me as a deputy chief of staff, I believe His Excellency the President has affirmed me as a person of tact, good judgment and discretion. This position, with its heavy responsibilities, has enhanced my capacity and prepared me adequately to serve the people of Bantama, both as a legislator and as an agent of development. I hope to discharge my duties diligently if and when given the nod,” he said.
“In this regard, I intend to continue the dialogue I started some few years ago with party functionaries and voters in the constituency about priority challenges that we can collectively tackle. With inspiring and purposeful leadership, Bantama will shine,” Mr Asenso-Boakye said.
