GNA Feature by Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), Nov 13, GNA – As Ghana heads towards the 2024 general elections, anticipation is building in the Volta Region over who will succeed two longstanding Members of Parliament.
Mr. Benjamin Komla Kpodo is the MP for Ho Central and Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, for Ketu North. Both sitting MPs, after more than a decade of service of representing their constituents the august house, have decided not to seek re-election in the upcoming polls.
The elections thus will bring new faces and possibly, new dynamics to parliamentary representation of the Volta Region’s.
Often regarded as the “World Bank” of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Volta Region currently holds 17 out of its 18 constituencies.
The Hohoe Constituency seat is the one seat not occupied by the NDC having been won by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2020, with John Peter Amewu as the sitting MP and the current Minister of Railway Development.
With Kpodo and Avedzi stepping down, their successors will need to uphold the NDC’s influence in this stronghold or, alternatively, open the door to competition.
Ho Central: Kpodo’s Successor Faces a Four-Way Race
Mr. Kpodo, the MP for Ho Central since January 2013, has opted not to run for a fourth term, passing the mantle to Mr. Edem Kofi Kpotosu, the NDC’s candidate and a Human Resource Manager at the Ghana Education Service (GES), Volta Regional Office.
The NDC Parliamentary candidate is expected to bring fresh energy and continuity to the NDC in Ho Central, a constituency, where the party has historically enjoyed overwhelming support.
The contest, however, includes three other candidates-the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has Mr. Divine Richard Komla Bosson, a former Director of Volta Regional NADMO and the current Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ho. Also competing are Mawulorm Kwame Klutse, an independent candidate, and Vide Nelson Kofi from the National Democratic Party (NDP).
Despite the multiple contenders, the race is seen primarily as a two-way battle between Kpotosu and Bosson.
Mr. Kpotosu, who is an educationist and human resource person, is seen as a familiar figure, who has contributed to the advancement of many constituents.
On the other hand, Mr. Bosson, as MCE, has spearheaded various development projects in the Municipality, including roadworks, market construction, worker housing, and recreational facilities funded by resources like the World Bank SDG and the District Assemblies Common Fund. The NPP candidate is optimistic his visible impact on development can help him overcome the challenge of running in an NDC-dominated constituency.
Historically, the NDC has dominated elections in Ho Central. In 2012, Mr. Kpodo secured 88.51 per cent of the votes, a figure that slightly decreased in subsequent elections.
In 2020, he garnered 85.03 per cent, while his NPP rival, Prosper Kofi Pi-Bansah, increased the NPP’s share to 12.73 per cent. With this background, Kpotosu is optimistic about achieving a strong showing, aiming for 90 per cent of the votes, while Bosson is campaigning vigorously to convince voters that his development work warrants a change.
Ketu North: Can the NPP Make Gains in Avedzi’s Absence?
In Ketu North, both the NDC and NPP are fielding fresh candidates following the decision by Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, a longtime MP and former Minority Leader, to retire.
The NDC has chosen Eric Edem Agbana, a former Deputy National Youth Organizer, while the NPP has nominated Enoch Kwabla Amegbletor, former Deputy Communications Officer and Special Aide to the Volta Regional Minister.
Both candidates are traversing the Ketu North Constituency, making significant efforts to appeal to the electorate. Agbana has his focus on creating jobs for the youth and addressing water issues by drilling boreholes across multiple communities.
Similarly, Amegbletor has been active in infrastructure, constructing roads, providing streetlights, and extending the national grid to remote areas.
The political history of Ketu North shows strong NDC dominance, although the NPP has been making gradual gains. In 2012, Dr Avedzi won 77.99 per cent of the votes against Pius Enam Hadzide’s 18.8 per cent.
This NPP support increased in subsequent elections, with Mr. Kofi Dzamesi the CEO of Bui Power, the NPP’s candidate in 2020, achieving 45.74 per cent, while Avedzi won with 53.64 per cent. Building on this trend, Amegbletor believes his groundwork and the momentum built by his predecessor, Mr. Dzamesi, can secure a historic NPP victory in Ketu North.
Mr. Agbana, however, is confident that he can not only retain the seat for the NDC but do so with a significant margin. During his filing, he cited research indicating that he could secure over 95 per cent of the votes. He noted that Mr Dzamesi was the NPP’s strongest candidate in Ketu North, and with Dzamesi no longer in the race, he believes the NPP’s chances are slim.
Looking Ahead to December
As the December 7 elections draw closer, these constituencies highlight the mix of continuity and change within the Volta Region’s political landscape.
The Ho Central’s long NDC tradition will be tested by the developmental achievements of Mr. Divine Bosson, while in Ketu North, the NPP’s steady gains present an intriguing challenge to Mr. Agbana’s confidence in maintaining a large margin for the NDC.
The evolving dynamics of the Volta Region with the entrance of new candidates bring different approaches and priorities to the table.
Whether these seats remain with the NDC or see shifts toward the NPP will not only influence regional representation but could also signal changes in the broader electoral landscape for both parties in the years to come.
The answers to these questions will become clear when voters make their choices on December 7, 2024.
GNA