Amenfi Central Independent Candidate endorses NDC’s Joana Gyan-Cudjoe

Dr. Karl Mark Arhin, an independent candidate for the Wassa Amenfi Central parliamentary seat, has publicly thrown his support behind Joana Gyan-Cudjoe, the parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a surprising move, Dr. Arhin, who once served as a caretaker for Gyan-Cudjoe, revealed a personal connection to her. Following her recent court case victory, Arhin’s endorsement has taken on greater significance. His supporters, who have followed his campaign, may now align with Gyan-Cudjoe, potentially influencing the outcome of the election.

Arhin, a respected senior lecturer at a prestigious institution, where he works alongside notable academics such as Prof. Pradeep Sharma, Nana Osei Bonsu, and Dr. Kojo Opoku Aidoo, holds considerable influence within the community. His endorsement of Gyan-Cudjoe could be a major boost to her campaign, strengthening her position as a strong contender for the parliamentary seat.

During a mini rally in Kyeikrom, part of the Amenfi Central constituency, to welcome NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketsiah, Dr. Arhin made a pivotal announcement. “I’m stepping down from the parliamentary race in Amenfi Central. The ‘landlady’ has returned, and it’s none other than Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe! As her former caretaker, I’m proud to endorse her and pledge my support, along with my family’s. I urge you all to do the same,” Arhin stated.

He added, “If you see my name on the ballot, don’t vote for me—choose Joana Gyan Cudjoe, number two, and John Dramani Mahama, number eight. Let’s unite behind them.”

Asiedu Nketsiah also provided insight into Dr. Arhin’s candidacy. He explained that Arhin’s run as an independent candidate was a strategic decision by the NDC, made to maintain the party’s competitive edge while awaiting the outcome of Gyan-Cudjoe’s court case. Asiedu Nketsiah emphasized that this move was not due to internal party conflict but rather a response to the prolonged legal delays, which many believe were orchestrated by the NPP to weaken the NDC’s position in the constituency.

“In our party, it’s rare for someone to run as an independent, but we made an exception this time. We supported Dr. Arhin’s candidacy because we believed the NPP was using the delays in the court process to their advantage. Our strategy was to have Dr. Arhin in place as a backup option, ensuring the NDC remained a strong contender in the race,” Asiedu Nketsiah said.

Dr. Arhin, who has been involved with the NDC in the past, including serving as the party’s Deputy Director of International Relations and on the National Election Steering Committee in 2016, has faced some controversy regarding his party affiliations. However, his competence was consistently prioritized over partisan politics, a stance affirmed by the National Service Secretariat at the time.

This unexpected endorsement from Dr. Arhin has certainly added an intriguing dynamic to the race for the Wassa Amenfi Central parliamentary seat, with Gyan-Cudjoe’s campaign now poised to gain even more momentum.