There was a wave of shock across the country last Saturday when the governing New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primaries produced some results least anticipated by political pundits.
As many as about 40 sitting MPs lost in their bid to lead the party into the 2020 general elections.
In the New Juaben South constituency, Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah, Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, who is seen by many as a ‘national asset’, lost with 200 votes, against his only contender, Michael Okyere Baafi, Chief Executive Officer of Free Zones Authority, who polled 372 votes.
In the Akyem Oda constituency, a former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, William Agyapong Quaitoo, lost to the Chief Executive Officer of Community Group of Hospitals, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, in an election in which the former polled 169 as against the latter’s 215.
In the Akwatia constituency, Mercy Adu Gyamfi, popularly known as Ama Sey, who had snatched the seat from the NDC’s Baba Jamal in 2016, lost marginally to Ernest Yaw Kumi with just four votes.
In the Kade constituency, the incumbent Kwabena Ohemeng Tiyase lost to the US based Alexander Kwadwo Agyarko, garnering 107 and 305 votes respectively, while the MP for the Achiase, Robert Kwesi Amoah, lost Kofi Ahenkora Marfo, a former constituency chairman.
Surprises
The Eastern Regional Minister and MP for Nkawkaw, Eric Kwakye Darfour, lost to the party’s constituency organiser, Joseph Frempong, who had been ruled out of the contest.
Many pundits had tipped the Managing Director of Ghana Publishing Company, David Asante, and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Middle Belt Development Authority, Joyce Opoku Boateng, as the potential winners in the absence of the Minister.
Also in the Suhum constituency, Frederick Opare Ansah, a four-time MP, known in the area as Suhum Mugabe, was dethroned by a new entrant and less known politician, Kwadjo Oboafo Asante.
Another shocking result was in the Mpraeso constituency, where Davis Opoku Ansah polled 402 votes to oust the incumbent Seth Kwame Acheampong, who obtained 180 votes.
More incumbents fall
In the Greater Accra region, five sitting MPs lost their seats. They are Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh, Ablekuma North; Vincent Sowah Odotei, La Dadekotopon; Ahmed Arthur, Okaikwei South; Kofi Brako, Tema Central; and Alhaji Habib Saad, Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro.
Two MPs in the Central region, Abraham Odoom, Twifo Atti Morkwa; and Anthony Effah, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, also lost.
The Ashanti Region had the likes of Daniel Okyem Aboagye, Bantama; Collins Owusu Amankwah, Manhyia North; Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, Ejisu; Kwame Asafu-Adjei, Nsuta/Kwamang/Beposo; Kennedy Kankam, Nhyiaeso; and Ben Abdallah Banda, Offinso South also losing.
In the Western Region, Ato Panford, Joe Mensah, Alex Agyekum and Patrick Bogyako Kwame Saime, of Shama, Kwesimintsim, Mpohor and Amenfi East constituencies, respectively, lost their seats.
Upper West Region had three incumbents, Godfred Bayong Tangu, Wa East; Patrick Adama, Sissala West; and Ridwan Abass, Sissala East, losing their seats.
Northern Region also produced some shocks after Charles Bintin, MP for Saboba, and Alhaji Wahab Wumbei, Tolon, also lost their seats.
In the Bono Region, Dr Kwabena Twum Nuamah and Kwasi Sabi, of Berekum East and Dormaa East, respectively, also lost.
North-East Region recorded one casualty in the person of Dr Sagre Bambangi, Walewale, whilst in the Upper East Region, Joseph Kofi Adda, MP for Navrongo Central, also lost.
Source: Daily Statesman
