‘You can’t call me senseless, apologise’ – Dumelo to contender

A debate between the aspiring candidates of the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary elections ended abruptly after the NPP candidate, Lydia Alhassan, called her contender, John Dumelo, senseless.

Lydia Alhassan’s comments infuriated the NDC candidate, actor John Dumelo, who demanded an apology.

Earlier the actor had claimed that the distribution of free laptops to tertiary students by his team in the constituency is by far the largest single initiative in education.

“We have done a lot for the constituency. I’m a youth, an entrepreneur, and a farmer. I know how it feels to be a youth in this constituency.

“I promised to distribute over 5000 laptops so far we have done over 500 and I can say that the laptop policy is the single largest initiative in education in this constituency”.

Earlier this year, John Dumelo was stopped by the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly from dredging a big gutter at West Legon.

According to him, the decision to dredge the gutter was informed by a promise he made to the community when he paid a visit to assess the discomfort residents face whenever it rains.

“I suspect it’s an attempt to frustrate my efforts. The people have complained over the years for the gutter to be desilted because when it rains it floods, and when it floods, properties and lives are lost. I can’t sit there unconcerned. I must listen to my people and take action.” He said.

Reacting to Dumelo’s claims at a debate organized by Accra-based TV3, Lydia Alhassan, the NPP candidate and incumbent member of Parliament for the constituency said “The thing is you don’t just get up and do anything if you are sensible before you do something you have to think about it” she said in Twi.

Her comments infuriated the NDC candidate who demanded an apology

“You cannot come here late and insult me; we were given 8;30am as an incumbent MP you came here at 10:15 am and you want to insults me? …I demand an apology” he said.

To avoid an escalation of abuses from the supporters of the two candidates, the organisers ended the debate abruptly.

Ms Alhassan won the seat on January 31, 2019, after a by-election to replace her dead husband, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko.

Ayawaso West Wuogon is a stronghold of the NPP as it has won five out of the seven parliamentary elections in the constituency since 1992.

The NDC has won it twice– 1992 and 1996.

Although there are for aspirants in the race, it is considered a two-horse between Ms Alhasan, a pharmacist and Mr Dumelo, an actor and businessman.

The two have been involved in shadow-boxing ahead of the December elections. They have been trying to outdo each other in the dishing out of gifts to the constituents ahead of the December polls.