Abeiku Santana declares to contest NDC Mfantsiman seat (audio)
Radio Presenter, Abeiku Santana of Okay FM, has declared his intention to contest the parliamentary primary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Mfantsiman constituency of the Central region.
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Known formally as Gilbert Aggrey, he said he took his inspiration from Messrs. Kennedy Agyapong and P.C. Appiah Ofori and that his 18 years experience as a radio broadcaster makes him more competent to become a Member of Parliament (MP).
Central Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr Bernard Allotey Jacobs, on Wednesday revealed on Accra-based Peace FM that Abeiku Santana who had played a major part in the campaign that got President John Mahama elected in 2012 by forming the group, Youth for Mahama (YFM), had intentions of becoming an MP on the ticket of the NDC.
Confirming his intentions on Atinka FM in Accra Thursday morning, Santana said he was competent enough to run for the position and that he would be going to Parliament as a social activist to champion issues that would bring about unity.
He said his work has given him the opportunity to identify the needs and challenges of the citizenry and therefore wants to help address some of them.
“I think that if the nominations are open, with the experience that I have had in public service, I will be a right candidate to contest,” he said.
The Mfantsiman seat is currently held by Central Regional Minister, Acquinas Tawiah-Quansah. The NDC is yet to open nominations for the contest.
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Santana, who currently hosts the drive time show on Okay FM, told Kwame Adinkra of Atinka FM that his father has his roots from Kromantse, Akyemfo and Ekumfi and his mother hails from Gomoa Kumasi all of which are in the Mfantsiman constituency.
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He said for 15 years, he has been spearheading the organisation of festivals in the area for the traditional authorities for which he has been honoured.
Asked about his motivation, Santana said his work as a broadcaster was similar to what parliamentarians do and that even when he succeeds in his endeavour, he will continue to be a broadcaster.
According to him, he thinks Parliament was losing a certain flare of its culture on how to do business in the House
Comparing it to the South African Parliament where he said he visited recently, Santana said Members in that House write their statements before they speak on the floor and don’t just speak extempore. Debunking arguments that he had no experience as a politician Santana said, “there was no parliamentary school for people to learn neither was there any political school. Politics come from people and people are public. I have been in public service for 18years and what I intend doing is an extension of what I’ve been doing.”
“I am a grass root person, I interact with people and know how people want things to change. I like talking so I want to talk. I have taken a lot of inspiration from P.C. Appiah Ofori, Kennedy Agyapong and so many other people and when I get the nod, I will make a difference.”