By Kodjo Adams
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – Stakes, expectations, and anxieties are high as the country gears towards the Presidential and Parliamentary elections on December 7, 2024.
One of the exciting places to watch is the Ayawaso Central, the very bullseye of Accra’s political dart.
Kokomlemle, Kotobabi, Pig Farm, Ebony, part of Accra New Town form part of this politically enlightened constituency.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has won the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in the constituency since 1996. The NPP electorates are poised to continue with the dominance in the upcoming elections, while the NDC sympathizers are optimistic of changing the narrative.
Supporters of the ruling government are of the view that the stewardship of the Member of Parliament was characterised by development interventions in human capital and infrastructure, while the leading opposition party thinks otherwise.
Presidential Elections
In 1996, the NPP polled 50.3 per cent while the NDC had 47.1 per cent. In 2000, the NPP continued their superiority with 57.0 per cent compared to 39.5 per cent for NDC.The NPP continued their winning spree in 2004 with 57.0 per cent as against 40.2 per cent for the NDC. In 2008, the NPP secured 50.4 per cent and the NDC got 48.2 per cent.
In 2012, the NPP won by a slim margin, claiming 49.9 per cent while the NDC got 49.6.In 2016, the NPP took the lead with 54.9 per cent compared to 44.5 per cent for the NDC.
Parliamentary Elections
In 1996, the NPP won with 44.5 per while the NDC got 43.4 per cent. In 2000, the NPP still dominated with 56.6 per cent as against 37.3 per cent.In 2008, the NPP had 49.7 per cent while the NDC got 47.8 per cent.In 2012, the NPP secured 49.5 per cent with the NDC getting 48.5 per cent.
The 2016 figures were no different, as the NPP led with 55.0 per cent and NDC, securing 44.3 per cent.In 2020, the NPP dropped to 52.89 per cent with the NDC, gaining 45.45 per cent.
Political Analyst
Mr Abdul-Razark Yakubu, former Political Advisor, British High Commission, Accra, believes that Mr Abdul-Rauf Tubazu, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate, is a formidable contender, arguing that he was youthful, had sharpen acumen with profound grasp of local issues.
The Political Analyst said advocates for Tubazu argued that his fresh perspective and deep connection with constituents made him the ideal representative of the interests of the constituency.
Critics of Henry Quartey, the Member of Parliament for the constituency, he said, pointed to allegations of leveraging his ministerial position and financial resources to sway voter sentiment.
They highlighted concerns over his poor handling of longstanding community issues such as persistent flooding in areas like Alajo over the past 24 years under the NPP rule.
Also, despite the MP’s regional efforts to promote Accra as Africa’s cleanest city during his tenure as the Regional Minister, constituents continue to grapple with inadequate infrastructure, including poor street lighting, deteriorating roads, clogged drains, water challenges, and substandard sanitation conditions.
Recent local assembly elections have seen nine pro-NDC assembly candidates secure victory compared to the NPP’s four, signaling a potential shift in voter preferences towards the opposition party.
The sitting MP is considered to have more resources and the advantage of incumbency, which puts him in a strong position. However, the strong youth appeal, local goodwill for Tabuzu and concerns of underperformance and poor representation against Mr Quartey put Tubazu in a position of strength.
NPP Constituency Chairman, Ayawaso Central
Mr Bismark Boateng, the NPP Constituency Chairman, Ayawaso Central, said in an interview with GNA that he was confident that the party would continue to maximize the votes and, by God’s grace, win the upcoming elections.
He said the constituents were happy about development in the area and hoped they would display their acceptance with massive votes for the party.
He stated that the economic situation in the country was a global issue, but with good governance being initiated by the party, things would be better.
If Ghanaians are to be objective and subject the NPP and the NDC to accountability, they will reward the NPP with votes.
The Global Info analytics gave the NDC parliamentary candidate 50 per cent as against 40 per cent for NPP.
Reacting to the figures, the NPP Constituency Chairman welcomed the analysis in good faith, saying, “It will arm us to prepare hard and turn things in their favour.”
Touching on their achievements, Mr Boateng said over 80 per cent of roads in the enclave had been asphalted, including the construction of Alajo astro pitch, infrastructure development at the Panama School, and the fixing of potholes, among others.
NDC Chairman for Ayawaso Central
Mr Harry Otu Hesse, NDC Chairman for Ayawaso Central, said the party had put in place mechanisms to end the dominance and win the impending elections.
He said the NDC suffered defeat over the past decades due to disunity among its members, perpetuated by the NPP.
The NPP, Mr Hesse stressed, normally infiltrated the NDC camp.
“We have brought everybody on board and advised them to be focused devoid of any distraction and work towards winning the elections,” he said.
The constituency, he said, was united after the parliamentary primaries, attesting that Madam Sophia Karen Ackuaku, an aspirant and incumbent Member of Parliament for Obom-Domeabra constituency, picked Mr Abdul Rauf Tongym Tubazu, the Parliamentary candidate, in her own vehicle to file his nomination at the Electoral Commission.
He said the constituency leadership had sensitised its members to receive money from their opponent and vote based on their conscience for the NDC Presidential and Parliamentary candidates.
Residents
Some of the residents have expressed mixed feelings ahead of the polls and called for peaceful campaigns devoid of untoward occurrences.
On what will influence their votes, they said job opportunities, economic issues, education, and sanitation would be key indicators to decide their choice.
Even though some of the residents have declared their stands to support their respective party, others pledged to vote based on manifestos.
Time is ticking, with less than one month to the election day, the political parties intensify their campaign to get acceptance from their members and the undecided.
Will the NPP continue their winning ways or will the NDC put a break to the dominance? Time will surely tell.
GNA