A Deputy Chief Executive officer [CEO] at the National Youth Authority has emerged as the people’s choice to represent the New Patriotic Party [NPP] in the upcoming by-election at Ayawaso West Wuogon, following the death of the MP, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko.

Mr Richard Joojo Obeng, who is known in the political circles as ‘Rocky’ is largely seen as a ‘unifier’ in his constituency whose leadership will retain the Ayawaso West Wuogon seat for the ruling NPP.

Before Joojo’s intention to contest the seat, a group calling itself the Concerned Constituents of Ayawaso West Wuogon, have already declared their unflinching support for him to become their next Member of Parliament [MP].

Ayawaso West Wuogon is seen as a safe seat for the governing NPP since it first took the seat in 2000.

Three successive NPP MPs – George Isaac Amoo, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare and Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko have all won the seat.

Big wigs and kingmakers within the constituency are believed to be backing 'Rocky' Obeng, a former student leader from the Commonwealth Hall of the University of Ghana.

'Rocky' according to some bigwigs in the NPP is the ‘perfect’ candidate in a constituency that can win the hearts of two big universities in Ghana, the University of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) – both located in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency.

His youth appeal in a predominantly youthful constituency with one of the most highly concentrated levels of literacy, is expected to work in favour of Mr. Obeng if he is presented by the party in the by-election.

In an interview with Peacefmonline.com, the deputy NYA CEO in charge of Finance and Administration said “I am ready to unify the people of Ayawaso and strengthen the grass root for victory 2020 if I get the nod to represent the people in parliament.”

“For now, we should all be together as family to give our late MP a dignify burial,” he added.

The late Hon. Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko

As a member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Agarko has been the MP for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency since 2012, after he replaced the current Chief of Staff, Frema Opare as MP for the area.

A pharmacist by profession, he was once the Chief Executive of the Food and Drugs Authority, during President Kufuor's time in office.

In Parliament, he served on the Environment, Science and Technology Committee, chaired the Government Assurance Committee, and also served on the Health Committee.