Poku-Adusei seeks to succeed Joe Wise in Bekwai 

Ralph Poku-Adusei, a prominent lawyer and Managing Partner at Trent Legal Amansie Chambers, has officially announced his intention to vie for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidacy in the Bekwai Constituency parliamentary seat in the Ashanti Region during the upcoming December 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

The Bekwai seat is currently held by the NPP, and the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Joseph Osei Owusu (Joe Wise), has decided not to seek re-election after representing the constituency for sixteen years across four different parliamentary terms (2008 to 2024).

NPP’s Parliamentary Primaries

The National Executive Committee of the NPP, in a statement issued on Friday, 10 November 2023, has set the date for the party’s Parliamentary Primaries in constituencies with sitting MPs.

The primaries are scheduled for 20 January 2024, with nominations opening on 20 December and closing on 22 December 2023.

Vision for Amansie

Ralph Poku-Adusei, a British-trained lawyer with thirteen years of experience in corporate and commercial practice, land acquisition, and criminal law, aims to leverage his extensive experience to represent Bekwai in Parliament. Having spent his formative years in the constituency, he is committed to transforming the municipality.

As an indigene of Bekwai, Poku-Adusei has undertaken several socially impactful projects in the area, demonstrating his dedication to the well-being of its residents.

His vision for Amansie revolves around key thematic areas, including job creation, poverty alleviation, agriculture, infrastructure development, youth employment, education, and pensions.

Education and livelihood

Poku-Adusei places a strong emphasis on education to break the cycle of poverty, proposing improvements in infrastructure, scholarships, and programs to enhance educational outcomes. Additionally, he aims to create sustainable livelihoods by fostering entrepreneurship, skill development, and job creation, offering vocational training facilities and support to local enterprises.

Infrastructure development

Infrastructure development is a top priority for Poku-Adusei, focusing on transportation, water and energy supply, toilet facilities, and sustainable housing programmes.

He envisions attracting local and foreign investors to establish recreational centers, shopping malls, manufacturing companies, and tertiary institutions, ultimately addressing youth unemployment.

Advocacy and policy reform

As a lawyer, Poku-Adusei plans to use advocacy and policy reform to address structural issues contributing to poverty.

He aims to collaborate with governmental institutions, civil society groups, and local authorities to establish laws and policies promoting social justice and reducing inequality in the Bekwai Municipality.

Healthcare and social welfare

Recognizing the importance of a strong social welfare system and accessible healthcare, Poku-Adusei plans to improve social protection programs, healthcare infrastructure, and preventative healthcare practices.

He intends to build healthcare facilities closer to constituents, reducing the strain on Bekwai Hospital.

Pensions and community support

Poku-Adusei intends to address pension issues in the constituency, advocating for improved pension education and encouraging constituents to contribute to SSNIT.

He also proposes setting up a cooperative society to benefit the community.

Additionally, he emphasizes the shared responsibility of caring for the aged, disabled, and vulnerable, promising value-adding programs and interventions.

Political and municipal support

Poku-Adusei’s involvement in the NPP and Bekwai Municipality includes financial support for party activities, a donation of GH₵100,000  and 1,000 bags of rice to NPP Bekwai delegates, and various contributions to constituency executives.

His municipal support extends to distributing clean cooking stoves, sponsoring events, and providing financial aid for sports competitions, police visibility, community centers, and youth employment projects.

As Ralph Poku-Adusei enters the political arena, his comprehensive vision and commitment to the people of Bekwai signal a transformative approach to governance and community development.

Profile of Ralph Poku – Adusei

Ralph Poku-Adusei has established an illustrious career as a legal practitioner, offering expert counsel to both local and international clients operating in Ghana.

 He holds memberships in prestigious legal bodies such as the Ghana Bar, the Bar of England and Wales, and the International Bar Association.

Ralph’s educational journey includes institutions like The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, UK; Manchester Metropolitan University; University of Law, UK (formerly The College of Law of England and Wales, UK); Ghana School of Law, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana.

In addition to his legal prowess, Ralph is a seasoned entrepreneur with 15 years of experience in business leadership.

He serves as the founder and chairman of the Board of Directors of First Cedi Investment Ltd, a real estate development company based in the Greater Accra Region.

 Furthermore, he is the proprietor of FirstCedi Micro-Credit Enterprise, extending lending services to communities in and around the Bekwai municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

A relentless optimist and effective communicator, Ralph Poku-Adusei excels in motivating teams and leveraging their strengths to achieve organizational goals.

Beyond his academic and entrepreneurial achievements, he wears the hat of a philanthropist.

 In 2018, he founded the Poku-Adusei Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to providing humanitarian support to the less privileged in society.

The foundation has made significant contributions to orphans, widows, widowers, and the elderly in the Bekwai community of the Ashanti Region.

Hailing from the Oyoko family of Kokofu in the Ashanti Region, Ralph is not only dedicated to his professional and entrepreneurial pursuits but also to his family.

He is married to Mrs. Gloria Poku-Adusei, and they are blessed with two children, a daughter, and a son. Ralph Poku-Adusei’s multifaceted contributions underscore his commitment to excellence, community development, and the well-being of those less fortunate.