The Deputy Health Minister and outgoing Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku constituency, Hon. Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has debunked the numerous reasons listed by some members of his constituency as factors that accounted for his defeat in this year’s parliamentary elections.
However, Dr. Okoe Boye said some parliamentary jurisdictions are marked to be strongholds of the various political parties of which, Ledzokuku constituency is part. He noted that the constituency mostly comes across as an easy win for the main opposition NDC; hence, for him to have won that seat in the 2016 elections only felt accomplishing.
He emphasized that this traditional party affiliation was the main reason for him losing the parliamentary seat of his constituency.
“The Ledzokuku constituency is one of those constituencies that the NDC traditionally does well. It’s like contesting for a seat as an NPP candidate in some parts of the Volta Region, or an NDC gentleman contesting for a seat in Bantama. We lost that seat by a margin of 13,000 votes in 2012, in 2008 it was a margin of 10,000, both presidential and parliamentary, and so when the NDC wins that seat they win it comfortably.
“In 2016 when I won it, it was with a margin of around 2000 votes and for the presidential, JM still won, even with the wind of change.
“So I knew very well that it’s those seats that really, your output is not enough. If the traditional NDC voters decide to go traditional; traditional meaning vote by default, it will turn out this way.
“Even with all these good works in my constituency, JM led with 8,000. It gives you an idea that this is a place where traditionally, there are people who go a particular direction.”
The Deputy Health Minister commenting on the allegation of he being absent in the constituency after winning in 2016 said “when you meet someone who for some reason votes traditionally for the NDC without much reason, when you ask them why they voted in that way, they will find things to tell you. If anybody says that I went missing then the fellow is not in the community. This is a community that I spend sometimes eight hours a day, morning to evening, just going round the community interacting and picking challenges.”
He, however, stated that he is unperturbed by these claims. He said a leader must be able to stomach all criticisms from his followers, whether how significant or otherwise it maybe. He said he has taken notice of those allegations and will inculcate them in making future plans.
Dr. Okoe Boye disclosed that he is unsure of contesting the Ledzokuku parliamentary seat come 2024 as of now. Howbeit, he said he is still going to serve the people of Ghana and his constituency by any means possible.
He added that he is “happy that ultimately executive power was given to H.E President Akufo Addo. We have another four years to win over those who had doubts or issues with the NPP led administration.”
