Dr. Philip Bannor, the Registrar of the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) has picked nominations to contest the vacant Kumawu parliamentary seat, following the demise of the Member of Parliament for the area, Philip Atta Basoah on March 27, 2023.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) closed nominations which was open over four days in search of a new MP for Kumawu, after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, on April 3, 2023 declared the seat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumawu, Philip Basoa, vacant.
The HeFRA boss is among eight contestants aspiring for the vacant position in the forthcoming by-election and has picked nomination forms, alongside Lawyer Edward Kofi Osei, Dr. Dacoster Aboagye, Mr Ernest Yaw Anim, Mad. Ama Serwaa, Kwame Appiah-Kubi, Osei Hweree Kwame Bempah and Yaw Baah, former Kumawu MP, who was unseated by the late MP.
The late Philip Basoah polled 184 votes (49.86%) in the NPP constituency primaries in June 2020 and subsequently polled 14,960 votes (51.1%) in the 2020 parliamentary elections to retain his seat for the second time.
Lawyer Edward Kofi Osei and Robert Kwame Ahomka Lindsey polled 73 votes (19.78%) and 52 votes (14.09%) respectively, while Dr. Philip Yaw Bannor failed in his parliamentary bid when he secured 60 votes (16.26%) in the last primaries.
Vetting of aspirants was slated for yesterday (Sunday April 16) with the primary fixed for April 23, 2023 pending the announcement of a date for the by-election by the Electoral Commission.
Dr. Bannor was lucky to have been cleared by the Vetting Committee to contest in the 2020 constituency primaries.
But he might not be lucky this time round, as a US court has indicted him and accused him of absconding to Ghana with a total of $837,955 in liabilities in the United States of America.
The Judicial Circuit court for Hamilton County in the State of Tennessee in the United States of America has entered judgment in favour of Dora Bannor in a five year old divorce proceeding against Dr. Philip Bannor for “irreconcilable marital conduct”.
The court, presided over by Jeffrey W. Hollingsworth, on January 21, 2022 granted divorce to Dr. Bannor’s estranged wife and indicted him for not dealing fairly with about 14 banks and absconded to Ghana, where he got appointed in the current NPP administration, as the Registrar of HeFRAS.
According to the court, Dr. Bannor is said to be indebted to some US banks, which makes him responsible for paying all debts in his name or in the name of the parties.
The US court explained that Dr. Bannor is indebted to Synovus Bank, Matheney Street and Associates, Sun Trust Bank, the Pinnacle Bank, Cure Star Health Associates, PayPal, Colutta/Synovus Bank, City Bank Credit Card, Chase Credit Card, AMEX Credit Card, Grant, Konvalinks and Harrison, Hayseth Financial Services, LLC, Silverdale Baptis Academy and Lynn Davernport.
According to a verified Statement of Assets and Liabilities filed by Dr. Bannor on September 4, 2020 the liabilities to the mentioned banks totally $837,955 which must be paid by him (Dr. Bannor.)
In the Memorandum Order and Final decree of the court in the case titled – “Bannor versus Bannor”, Judge Hollingsworth noted that Dr. Bannor, the defendant, absconded with majority portions of the parties’ marital assets.
The Judge also noted that the defendant had no credibility, as the petitioner proved inappropriate conduct, which included abandonment of plaintiff and children and fleeing to Ghana.
The court indicated that Dr. Bannor has since January 5, 2018 not honoured a child support of $1,343 per month, which was increased to $1,507.26 per month on March 16, 2018.
As a result, Dr. Bannor was cited for contempt on October 3, 2019 when he failed to honour the said child support.
With regards to marital assets, the Court found out that over $300,000 of marital assets was invested in Menzgold in Ghana.
Dr. Bannor has since appealed the final decree of the Court in the divorce suit in US. It is still pending.
The Chronicle is still glancing through details of the divorce proceedings of the court.
More anon.
