Rise of the independents: Meet the faces of change in the next Parliament
Ghanaians have voted to elect a president and 276 parliamentarians to replace those whose four-year tenure will expire on January 6, 2029.
The 2024 general elections were fiercely contested, with political heavyweights from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) battling for dominance.
However, in a shocking turn of events, some independent candidates won contests that were considered to be between the NDC and the NPP.
The Ghana Report looks at some independent candidates who will be featured in Ghana’s ninth parliament.
Ohene Kwame Frimpong
Ohene Kwame Frimpong emerged as Member of Parliament-elect for the Asante Akyem North constituency after contesting as an independent candidate.
He chalked the memorable victory beating incumbent lawyer Andy Appiah Kubi of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Chief Kofi Asamoah of the National Democratic Congress in grand style.
Kwame Frimpong polled 26,926 votes, while Andy Appiah Kubi secured 8,933 votes. The NDC’s Chief Kofi Asamoah had 2,469 votes.
The massive win was unprecedented in the history of the Asante Asante Akyem North parliamentary elections.
Kwame Asare Obeng (A Plus)
Renowned Ghanaian musician-turned-politician Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as Kwame A Plus, has emerged victorious in the Gomoa Central Constituency parliamentary race.
Running as an independent candidate, A Plus defied the odds to unseat the incumbent and secure his place in Ghana’s 9th Parliament.
Kwame A Plus won the election by securing 14,277 votes out of 36,026 total valid votes cast, leaving 11,637 for Naana Eyiah of the NPP and 10,112 for Ywason Mohamed of the NDC.
A Plus’ grassroots campaign, centred on youth empowerment, corruption eradication, and economic opportunities for the people of Gomoa Central, resonated deeply with constituents who were eager for change.
Kwame A Plus, who gained fame as a controversial and outspoken highlife and hiplife musician, transitioned into activism and politics in recent years.
Known for his sharp criticisms of both major political parties, he built a reputation as a fearless advocate for accountability and social justice.
A Plus’s campaign was marked by innovative strategies that appealed to the youth and first-time voters.
The Gomoa Central Constituency seat has historically swung between the NPP and NDC, making A Plus’s victory as an independent candidate a significant political upset.
Kpeli Worlase
In a shocking turn of events, incumbent Member of Parliament for Afram Plains North, Betty Krosbi Mensah, has lost her seat to lawyer Kpeli Worlase in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
This stunning upset marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the constituency.
Kpeli Worlase, who contested the seat in 2020 and lost by a narrow margin of 211 votes, has finally achieved his goal of representing the people of Afram Plains North.
His victory is a testament to his perseverance and dedication to his constituents.
Kpeli Worlase, an independent candidate, secured a total of 11,452 votes, while Betty Krosbi Mensah garnered 10,993 votes.
This development is a major blow to the incumbent MP, who has been serving the constituency since 2016.
Betty Krosbi Mensah’s loss is attributed to several factors, including her perceived disconnect from the constituents and her inability to address the pressing issues facing the community.
Kpeli Worlase’s campaign focused on prioritising the well-being of the people of Afram Plains, promoting equality, justice, and freedom for all members of the community.
He also promised to provide access to quality healthcare and education and to work tirelessly to promote policies that address income inequality, reduce poverty, and protect the environment.
Nandaya Yaw Stanley
Nandaya Yaw Stanley contested the Wulensi constituency seat as an independent candidate and polled 17,432 votes, defeating the incumbent MP, Abukari Dawuni, who got 11,498 votes.
The NPP candidate, Haruna Abdulai, garnered 14,137 votes.
Mr Nandaya, following some disagreements with his NDC constituency executives in Wulensi, did not re-contest the party’s primary to select a candidate for the 2024 election.
He, however, decided to contest the seat in the main election as an independent candidate.
The decision moved the leadership of the NDC from Accra to Wulensi to appeal to him to rescind his decision so that the NDC’s selected candidate, Abukari Dawuni could have had an upper hand in the December 7 election.
Mr. Nandaya did not heed the advice to step down and went ahead to contest and won the Wulensi seat.