By Laudia Sawer
Prampram, Dec. 6, GNA – The Ningo-Prampram constituency in the Greater Accra Region is a fascinating blend of socio-economic promise and developmental challenges.
Its rich political history and pressing local issues make it a significant constituency to watch in the upcoming elections.
Geographical and Demographic Profile
The Ningo-Prampram constituency, which also doubles as a municipality, is a critical corridor for commuters and international trade between Ghana’s industrial hubs and neighbouring West African countries.
It is bounded by Shai-Osudoku, Ada, Sege, Kpone-Katamanso, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
Socio-Economic and Developmental Challenges
The Tema-Aflao highway, a major international trade route that passes through the constituency, suffers from severe congestion, particularly at sections through the area. Residents, including children, spend hours in traffic daily due to incomplete road construction, trenches left by contractors, and poorly managed diversions.
The Afienya-Dawhenya road, a critical trunk road linking the Aflao road to the Akosombo road, is in an equally deplorable state, riddled with potholes, hilly, and unsafe detours with stones projecting, used by tipper trucks transporting construction materials.
The traffic situation has significant health and psychological implications for residents and children; spending long hours in traffic delays their arrival at school and leaves them fatigued, affecting academic performance; prolonged exposure to vehicular emissions increases their risk of respiratory problems.
Adults, on the other hand, go through prolonged stress from daily commutes, which contributes to high blood pressure, sleep deprivation, and reduced productivity.
The poor state of roads and congestion also hampers timely access to healthcare, compounding health risks for vulnerable populations.
The constituency has a large number of communities that do not have proper drainage systems, leading to some residents channelling their household waste onto roads and pathways, which poses public health risks through waterborne diseases.
Agriculture and Livelihoods
Agriculture remains the mainstay of the constituency’s economy with its large arable land area. The Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme supports farming activities, enabling the cultivation of crops such as rice, maize, and vegetables. Livestock farming is also prevalent in the area.
Housing and Industry
The constituency had become an extension of Tema, as many workers in the industrial hub either rented in Ningo-Prampram or had acquired houses in the many estates developed in the constituency and commuted to Tema and Accra for work daily.
Despite agriculture’s dominance, housing development is the leading contributor to local revenue, underscoring the growing urbanisation of the area.
The abandoned Saglime housing project is located in the constituency as well as the Dawa Industrial City. Some factories under the one-district-one-factory initiative include a pharmaceutical factory producing intravenous infusion and a steel-producing company.
Education / Health
Ningo-Prampram has over 100 public schools and a large number of private schools. Secondary education-wise, it has the Prampram SHS, Ningo SHS, and Prampram Vocational Institute, and the Leadership and Skill Training Institute, Afienya.
The constituency also hosts the Central University College, providing tertiary education to people with diverse backgrounds.
The constituency has a number of public health institutions made up of the Prampram Polyclinic, health centres, and CHPS compounds.
Political History and Voting Trends
Ningo-Prampram is a traditional stronghold of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The late Enoch Teye Mensah held the seat for two decades, and the incumbent, Sam Nartey George, is seeking a third term.
In 2016, Sam George won with 63 percent of the votes, while in 2020 he polled 69.8 per cent, securing 48,661 votes, compared to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 28.56 per cent (19,911 votes).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has changed its candidates for the past two elections and is currently fielding Michael Tetteh Eku, with the aim to improve its performance.
Mr Eku’s grassroots connection as a former constituency chairperson and NADMO director may bolster his appeal.
The NDC’s candidate, Sam George, has gained staunch support not only in the constituency but also nationwide for his advocacy against activities of people aligning with lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer issues.
Conclusion
Ningo-Prampram remains a political fortress for the NDC, with Sam George heavily favoured to retain his seat. However, the election will be a test of how well the incumbent can balance his national prominence with addressing the constituency’s pressing challenges.
The outcome will hinge on voter sentiments around key issues, including LGBTQ+ advocacy, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, reflecting the evolving priorities of this vibrant constituency.
GNA