The member of parliament for Suhum Constituency in the Eastern Region Hon. Kwadjo Asante has officially declared his decision to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming December 7, 2024, general election.
Hon. Kwadjo Asante’s decision follows a defeat in the NPP parliamentary primaries held in January 2024, where he lost to Frank Asiedu Bekoe, also known as Protozoa, by a margin of 179 votes. Frank Asiedu Bekoe garnered 496 votes, while Hon. Kwadjo Asante secured 320 votes out of the total ballots cast, making Frank Asiedu Bekoe the new parliamentary candidate for the NPP in the Suhum constituency.
This loss, however, has not deterred Hon. Kwadjo Asante from pursuing his political ambitions. His supporters have been actively working since January 2024 to position him as an independent candidate for the general election, insisting that he remains the preferred choice for the majority of constituents.
Hon. Kwadjo Asante made his decision public during an address to his supporters following a health walk over the weekend at Suhum Amponsah market. The event drew a significant crowd, further solidifying his confidence that the constituents favor him over the NPP’s chosen candidate. During his address, Hon. Kwadjo Asante officially declared:
“They did a health walk and they petitioned me, and then they said that it doesn’t matter what has happened, I should come and serve them. I should come and continue my work.”
Hon. Kwadjo Asante the member of parliament for Suhum Constituency in the Eastern Region
Hon. Kwadjo Asante emphasized that the overwhelming support from his constituents is what drove him to this decision:
“If you are talking about the impetus, I mean my voice, what is pushing me to do what I’m doing or to do this declaration, then all that I would say is that, it is the Suhum people.”
Hon. Kwadjo Asante the member of parliament for Suhum Constituency in the Eastern Region
Efforts to Reconcile
Despite Hon. Kwadjo Asante’s strong resolve to contest independently, reports indicate that high-ranking officials within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been making efforts to dissuade him. Sources close to the party suggested that figures such as the Vice President and NPP flag bearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, have both attempted to intervene and convince Hon. Kwadjo Asante to rescind his decision. However, these efforts have not yielded any success thus far.
One notable event that highlighted the growing distance between Hon. Asante and the NPP was his conspicuous absence during Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign tour of the Suhum constituency. As the current Member of Parliament for the area, his absence was significant and further fueled speculation about his potential departure from the party.
Hon. Kwadjo Asante first entered the political spotlight in 2020 when he won the NPP parliamentary primaries by defeating then-MP Mr. Frederick Opari Ansah. In that contest, Hon. Kwadjo Asante secured 394 votes compared to Mr. Opari Ansah’s 272 votes, paving the way for his successful bid to become MP for Suhum.
Now, as he faced the challenge of contesting as an independent candidate, Hon. Kwadjo Asante, political journey has taken a new turn. The decision to break away from the NPP and run independently demonstrates his belief that, he has the backing of his constituents, even without the support of the party machinery. Hon. Kwadjo Asante, next steps will be closely watched, not only by his supporters but also by the NPP leadership, who are keen to maintain unity within the party as they head into the crucial 2024 elections.
With the general election just a few months away, Hon. Kwadjo Asante’s decision could have significant implications for the political landscape in the Suhum constituency. Whether his gamble to go independent pays off or not remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: he has captured the attention of both his supporters and his political opponents.
Moreover, in a surprising move leading up to the 2024 election, two New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs), Hon. Kwadjo Asante, representing the Suhum Constituency, and Hon. Cynthia Morrison, MP for Agona West have formally announced their intentions to leave the party and run as independent candidates. This announcement has sent ripples through the political landscape, raising concerns within the party about possible defections from other members who may follow suit.
The NPP recently concluded their parliamentary primaries last year, in which 28 MPs lost their bid to return to Parliament. This development has created uncertainty within the party, especially since two of these MPs have now chosen to run against their party in the upcoming general election. Such decisions have the potential to split the party’s vote in those constituencies, thereby weakening the NPP’s overall chances in the election
According to sources within the NPP, there are fears that more MPs may be considering the same course of action as the two who have already made the switch. If more MPs decide to run as independents, the party could face significant challenges in maintaining its dominance in certain regions.
The impact of this will depend largely on how well the party leadership can manage the growing discontent among members who feel dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries. Meanwhile, this situation has sparked internal debates within the NPP as to how to address the potential increase in defections. The party may need to intensify its efforts to reconcile differences and prevent further losses.
However, what remains to be seen is whether these independent candidates will have a significant impact on the party’s performance in the general election and whether their departure will encourage other disgruntled MPs to follow in their footsteps.
As the election draws closer, all eyes will be on the NPP to see how they navigate this challenge and what steps they will take to maintain unity within their ranks. For the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), this internal turmoil within the ruling party could present an opportunity to capitalize on any fractures that emerge.
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