Wife of murdered Mfantseman NPP MP nominated as replacement

The late Ekow Quansah Hayford’s wife has been proposed as the likely replacement for the murdered NPP MP for Mfantseman constituency in the Central region.

Ophelia Hayford’s name has been tabled for approval by the national leadership, Accra-based Asempa FM has reported.

Her supporters say the woman is a striking resemblance of her late husband’s mannerisms and character.

‘She is as affable as her husband’ the Asempa FM correspondent reported in Twi.

Ekow Quansah Hayford was killed by suspected armed robbers last Friday while returning from a campaign at Abeaze Dominase.

Photo: Quansah Hayford picked nominations forms to contest Mfantseman primaries in February.

The 49-year old lawmaker is survived by his wife and two children.

While the constituency and the nation mourns, the NPP is keeping an eye on the seat they snatched from the NDC in 2016.

The NPP won the seat by 726 margin, which the NDC would feel they could win it back.

The party is required by the Electoral Commission to name a replacement of a candidate within 10 days of the vacancy.

In accordance with the party’s regulations, a name has been submitted pending an approval.

Sources within the party say, that approval of Ophelia Hayford is imminent.

The widow who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police and has reportedly submitted her resignation to the Ghana Police Service.

She holds a Masters’ degree and an LLB.

According to reports within the constituency, Ophelia Hayford was publicly involved in her late husband’s work within the constituency.

‘Every important program in the constituency, the late Ekow Hayford attended the function with his wife’

She followed him to funerals and social events and is as affectionate as her late husband, the Asempa FM reporter said.

‘She is really on the ground….if they bring her, she will win, he said.

If endorsed Ophelia Hayford, it becomes the second consecutive time a bereaved spouse had been chosen as replacement following a bereavement.

Following the death of NPP MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in the Greater Accra region, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko in November 2018, one of his wives, Lydia Alhassan was elected as the successor.

Photo: Emmanuel Agyarko and Lydia Seyram Alhassan

The widow won the primaries by a landslide, secured 441 votes to beat four other contenders.

She won the by-election in January 2019 to retain what remains a safe seat for the NPP.