Samuel Owusu Brako, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Achiase Constituency, has in a historic event launched his campaign, sending a bold message to end the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 28-year reign in the constituency.

The campaign launch, held on a spirited Sunday morning despite heavy rains and church activities, was marked by a massive turnout of NDC supporters.

Dubbed the “Victory Walk and Campaign Launch; Time to Reset Achiase Constituency” the event saw thousands of enthusiastic party members, supporters and sympathisers flood the principal streets of Achiase township in a show of solidarity.

The rally, which served as a prelude to the official campaign launch, was graced by notable NDC stalwarts from across national, regional, and constituency levels.

Key figures in attendance included the Deputy National Organizer, Elikem Kotoko, Chairman of the NDC Youth Wing Working Committee, Emmanuel Okai Mintah, Ransford Owusu Boakye, the Eastern Regional Vice Chairman, Shirley Naana Ampem Osei, the Regional Women Organizer, Nathaniel G. Tetteh, the Regional Youth Organizer, and other regional executives.

Constituency executives, led by Chairman George Acheampong, were also present, emphasizing the party’s united front as they head into the December 2024 general elections.

Call for Change and Criticism of NPP’s Legacy

In his address, Samuel Owusu Brako took a direct swipe at the ruling NPP and its incumbent Member of Parliament, Hon. Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, accusing them of neglecting the development needs of the Achiase Constituency.

He expressed frustration at the lack of tangible progress in the area, citing the deplorable state of roads and key infrastructure, including the dilapidated Achiase township roads and the deteriorating main lorry station.

“After 28 years of loyalty to the NPP, what do we have to show for it?” Brako questioned, urging constituents to abandon the cycle of voting for the NPP, which he believes has failed to deliver on its promises. “We have been taken for granted for too long,” he added.

The NDC candidate also raised concerns over alleged vote-buying tactics used by the NPP, specifically pointing to the provision of soft loans in the run-up to elections.

He urged the electorates to reject these last-minute financial incentives, characterizing them as part of a broader pattern of excessive monetization in local politics. “Don’t let them buy your votes with handouts. This is not development—it’s desperation”, Brako warned.

Promises of Development

Mr. Brako laid out a comprehensive development agenda for the Achiase Constituency, promising to address the pressing infrastructural deficits should he be elected as MP, and with former President John Dramani Mahama as President.

At the heart of his vision is the rehabilitation of the Achiase township roads, the construction of new road networks, and an ultramodern lorry station for the constituency capital, which he described as a critical need for the area’s transportation infrastructure.

He also endorsed the NDC’s broader development policies, including the National Apprenticeship Programme, the No Fee Stress Policy aimed at alleviating financial burdens on first-year tertiary students, the creation of a Women’s Development Bank, and the establishment of Farmers’ Centres to support agriculture.

These flagship initiatives, he argued, are essential to transforming Achiase and improving the quality of life for its residents.

As the December 2024 elections draw closer, Brako’s message of change, coupled with his pledge to bring tangible development to the constituency, is at the heart of his campaign.

Reaffirming NDC’s National Vision

Reinforcing the message of change, Okai Mintah, Chairman of the NDC Youth Wing Working Committee, echoed former President John Mahama’s commitment to abolishing what he described as “obnoxious” taxes, including the Betting Tax, E-levy, and the Covid-19 tax.

These policies, Mintah asserted, have placed undue financial pressure on Ghanaians, and their removal is key to alleviating economic hardship.

Mintah also highlighted the NDC’s commitment to job creation and social welfare, emphasizing that a Mahama-led government would prioritize the needs of the youth, women, and marginalized groups.

“The NDC is committed to making life easier for Ghanaians, and that is why we must win both the presidency and parliament in 2024,” he remarked.

The electrifying campaign launch sets the stage for what is expected to be a fiercely contested battle in the Achiase Constituency.

With the NDC aiming to overturn nearly three decades of NPP dominance, Samuel Owusu Brako’s candidacy represents a new dawn for the opposition party in the area.

The NDC’s promise of a future free from what they deem as the economic mismanagement of the NPP, alongside a progressive development agenda, will be critical as they seek to convince voters that the time for change has come in Achiase.