NPP, NDC set for Ayawaso West Wuogon showdown
As the clock ticks towards the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections, all eyes are firmly fixed on the Ayawaso West Wuogon (AWW) Constituency, a crucial battlefield in the country’s political space.
It can be described as a swing constituency to some extent, having seen fluctuating fortunes between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since 1992.
However, the NPP has won the seat seven consecutive times between 2000 and 2020, with NDC winning it twice in 1992 and 1996.
The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, is the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency.
Located in the Greater Accra Region, AWW is home to a predominantly affluent and middle-class population.
A portion of the Flower Pot — Ofankor road
The constituency, which is one of the oldest in the country (established in 1992) covers East Legon, the Airport Residential Area, Dzorwulu, Abelenkpe, parts of Tesano and Roman Ridge.
Its boundary constituencies are Ayawaso North, Ayawaso East, Ayawaso Central, and Okaikoi North.
Performance
In the last 32 years, six MPs have represented AWW, with three of them serving a term each, two serving two consecutive terms, while the incumbent, who is contesting on the ticket of the NPP for the 2024 parliamentary election, has served a full term and a year after winning a by-election in 2019.
Francis Napoleon N. Kumah, who won the seat on the ticket of the NDC in 1992, was the first MP for the constituency. He was succeeded by another NDC representative, Rebecca A. Adotey, in 1996.
After that, NPP’s George Isaac Amoo rode on the back of the wind of ‘Positive Change’ to snatch the seat in 2000. The current Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, then took over for two consecutive terms in 2004 and 2008.
The late Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko also won two conservative elections before passing on in 2019 and was succeeded by his widow, Ms Alhassan, who has held the seat until now.
As the December 7 polls draw closer, Ms Alhassan appears ready for a showdown with an old foe, John Setor Dumelo, an actor and a politician.
The previous contest in 2020 saw the incumbent securing 39,851 votes, representing 51.36 per cent, while the main contender of the NDC, Mr Dumelo, managed 37,478 votes, representing 48.30 per cent.
Historical data
Historical data from the Electoral Commission showed that Ms Adotey secured victory for the NDC in 1996 with 46.1 per cent of the votes, defeating the NPP candidate who had 45.2 per cent.
During his tenure, Ms Adotey represented the constituency in the Second Parliament from 1997 to 2001. However, in the 2000 elections, the NDC lost to NPP’s Amoo, with 36.5 per cent and 56.6 per cent respectively.
Front view of the University of Ghana Medical Centre
In 2004, the NPP presented a new candidate, Mrs Osei-Opare, who earned 52.1 per cent of the votes, to beat the NDC candidate who secured only 37.9 per cent.
Although she won her bid to the Fifth Parliament in 2008, Mrs Osei-Opare’s votes dipped to 48.2 per cent, while the NDC candidate’s vote appreciated to 42.3 per cent.
To help increase their votes in 2012, the NPP presented the late Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko, who garnered 50.3 per cent of the votes, leaving the NDC candidate with 47.6 per cent.
Unlike the current Chief of Staff, Mr Kyeremateng Agyarko appreciated further in his bid for a second term, gathering an impressive 57.3 per cent of the total votes cast.
However, the NDC dipped to 39.6 per cent.
Lydia’s political background
Lydia Seyram Alhassan — MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency
Ms Alhassan seamlessly transitioned into her late husband’s role as an MP in 2019, winning the by-election, followed by her re-election in 2020 against Mr Dumelo.
Since then, Ms Alhassan’s impressive trajectory has led to her appointment as the Deputy Majority Chief Whip in Parliament.
In January 2024, she returned unopposed in her bid to remain the NPP parliamentary candidate for the constituency after Samuel Owusu Amankwa was disqualified. Her hard work and dedication also earned her a Cabinet position as Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration following a reshuffle in February 2024.
Dumelo’s political background
John Setor Dumelo — NDC aspiring candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency
On the other hand, Mr Dumelo’s journey into politics began when he picked up a nomination form to contest in the NDC primaries on July 19, 2019. He eventually emerged victorious in the primaries on August 24, 2019, making him the NDC parliamentary candidate for AWW in the 2020 elections.
Unfortunately, he lost the parliamentary election by 2,073 votes.
Dumelo’s foray into politics was not just a one-time thing; he had been involved with the NDC since 2016 when he campaigned for the party. He was even appointed as the Director of Operations for a pro-NDC youth group.
Constituency visit
A Daily Graphic visit to the constituency showed that despite hosting an affluent population, AWW has some pressing needs that require immediate attention.
Most of the constituents complained about youth unemployment, housing, and environmental and sanitation challenges.
Aerial view of University of Ghana Medical Centre
Emmanuel Nii Armah, a constituent at Abelenkpe, said unemployment was a persistent issue in AWW, with many young people struggling to secure stable jobs; hence, settling for casual work.
He said housing also posed another challenge, exacerbated by an influx of migrants seeking construction jobs, leading to a shortage of affordable housing options and resulting in overcrowding.
“The urgent need for improved urban planning and housing policies is underscored by these challenges,” he said.
Another constituent at Dzorwulu, who gave her name as Tina, stated that environmental concerns, particularly waste disposal, also needed urgent attention as inconsistent waste management services had led to indiscriminate dumping in some areas.
As the elections approach in a few weeks, the incumbent MP’s performance and responses to these socio-economic challenges will play a crucial role in shaping voter behaviour.
Conclusion
The constituency is currently being thrilled with an election season as both candidates deliver their forceful campaigns of: ‘It is possible’ or ‘Time for change’.
As the contest reaches a climax, the ultimate question remains who will secure the seat as the next Member of Parliament?
Come January 7, 2025, only one candidate will represent Ayawaso West Wuogon in the Ninth Parliament.