The New Patriotic Party (NPP) faces significant setbacks as provisional results from the 2024 parliamentary elections indicate that several high-profile Members of Parliament (MPs) have lost their seats.
These losses are seen as a seismic shift in Ghana’s political landscape, marking the potential for profound implications within the party and for the just-ended presidential and parliamentary elections.
One of the most prominent figures to fall is Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation. Her defeat in the Ablekuma Central Constituency signals a significant blow to the NPP, given her critical role in driving the government’s digitalisation agenda.
Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Minister, according to the provissional result, has also lost her seat in Awutu Senya East. A fiery politician, her absence in parliament will leave a vacuum in the NPP’s grassroots mobilization machinery.
In Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, often referred to as “Mama Lydia,” has lost her re-election bid. The constituency, historically a stronghold for the NPP, will now see new representation by renowned actor and farmer, John Setor Dumelo.
Michael Oquaye Jnr., son of former Speaker of Parliament Professor Mike Oquaye, also lost his bid to become the MP for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency to Eliplim Aklugu, the NDC parliamentary candidate.
Again, Veteran MP and Minister for Trade and Industry, KT Hammond lost his long-held seat in Adansi Asokwa. His defeat ends decades of parliamentary service and underscores the changing dynamics in the constituency.
Also, Peter Amewu, who made history by winning the Hohoe seat in the 2020 elections as an NPP candidate in a stronghold of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been unseated, reaffirming the NDC’s dominance in the region.
The Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery, is another high-profile casualty. His loss in Nandom underscores the challenges faced by the NPP in retaining key constituencies in the northern regions.
Moreover, Henry Quartey, the current Minister of Interior and former Greater Accra Regional Minister and architect of the much-touted “Make Accra Work Again” initiative, also lost his seat in Ayawaso Central.
In Sekondi, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Lawyey Andrew Egyapa Mercer’s loss continues the trend of NPP setbacks in coastal constituencies, traditionally viewed as competitive areas.
Dr. Prince Armah, a first-term MP and influential voice in education reformlost his seat in Kwesimintim. His defeat removes a key advocate for educational policy within the NPP caucus.
Former Health Minister Dr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu has also lost his Dormaa Central seat. His tenure as Health Minister, marked by controversies during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly, the procurement of the Sputnick vaccines may have influenced voter sentiment.
In Mfantseman, Ophelia Hayford Mensah, widow of the late Ekow Kwansah Hayford, has been unseated. Her loss highlights the shifting allegiances in the Central Region.
Darkoa Newman, representing Okaikwei South, has lost her re-election bid, joining the growing list of NPP casualties in the Greater Accra Region including Sylvester Tetteh of Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro.
The loss of these key parliamentary seats raises serious concerns about the NPP’s organizational strategy, voter appeal, and the impact of national policies on local dynamics.
It also amplifies internal party tensions and may trigger calls for leadership accountability as the party reassesses its strategy ahead of the presidential elections.
Greater Accra, a critical region in determining election outcomes, has witnessed significant losses for the NPP, signaling a possible shift in voter sentiment.
Similarly, defeats in Central, Bono, Bono East, Ahafo and Northern regions indicate waning support in areas traditionally viewed as competitive.
