In a dramatic turn of events during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primaries held on Saturday, several incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) faced unexpected defeats, setting the stage for a major shake-up in the party’s representation ahead of the 2024 elections.
One of the notable upsets occurred in the Tano North constituency, where incumbent MP Freda Prempeh lost her seat to Gideon Boako, the Spokesperson of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Boako secured 444 votes, while Prempeh garnered 221 votes, signaling a surprising turn in the dynamics of political representation.
In the Subin Constituency, Eugene Boakye Antwi, the incumbent MP, suffered an unexpected defeat, losing by 98 votes to Obiri Yeboah, who won with 734 votes. The outcome reflected the shifting preferences of party delegates in the constituency.
Gifty Twum-Ampofo, the incumbent MP for Abuakwa North, faced defeat at the hands of Nana Ampaw Addo-Frempong, also known as Buffalo. The parliamentary primary saw Twum-Ampofo receiving 202 votes, while Addo-Frempong secured 222 votes, reshaping the political landscape in Abuakwa North.
The surprises extended to other constituencies as well, with Augustine Collins Ntim of the Offinso North constituency, Tina Mensah of Weija-Gbawe, and Sheila Bartels of Ablekuma North all losing their seats.
Tina Mensah’s defeat came at the hands of Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the CEO of the Coastal Development Authority (CoDA). Shaib secured a resounding victory with 786 votes out of 1151, representing 68.53%, while Mensah garnered 361 votes, representing 31.47%.
The list of defeated incumbents includes familiar names such as Akwasi Owusu Afrifa-Mensa (MP for Amasaman), Bright Wireko-Brobby (MP for Heman Lower Denkyira), Isaac Asiamah (MP for Atwima Mponua constituency), Dickson Adomako Kissi (MP for Anyaa Sowutuom), Samuel Erickson Abakah (MP for Shama constituency), John Osei Frimpong (MP for Abirem constituency), Yves Hanson-Nortey (MP for Tema Central), Moses Anim (MP for Trobu constituency), and Joseph Cudjoe (MP for Effia constituency).
The surprising defeats in the NPP primaries set the stage for new faces and political dynamics in these constituencies as the party prepares for the 2024 elections. The unexpected outcomes emphasize the dynamic nature of political landscapes and the evolving preferences of party members.
