Voters in Adentan Constituency, Greater Accra Region, are split on their choice for the upcoming December 7 elections.
Since its establishment in 2004, the constituency has maintained a tradition of electing Members of Parliament (MPs) to a single four-year term.
As the election approaches, many are speculating whether this trend will continue or if a shift is imminent.
In an interview with Channel One TV’s Bervelyn Longdon, constituents discussed their reasons for the persistence of this tradition.
One voter stated, “If you’re elected as an MP but fail to perform, we will vote you out. We’re not asking MPs to feed us every day, but we do expect improvements in the area.”
Another voter, Hannah Asante, noted, “Some MPs perform well and could have been given a second chance, but constituents sometimes decide against it if the MP doesn’t do a ‘thank you’ tour. On the other hand, some MPs perform poorly, leading to them being voted out.”
For the 2024 elections, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is presenting first-time candidate, Akosua Asaa Manu, popularly known as “Kozie,” while incumbent MP Mohammed Adamu Ramadan is seeking re-election.
When Channel One TV’s Bervelyn Longdon asked constituents about Ramadan’s performance, many expressed dissatisfaction.
“Adamu Ramadan has really disappointed us. Even YB, whom we criticized for poor performance, did better. Based on the general sentiment, I believe Ramadan will be voted out,” one voter remarked.
However, some voters defended the incumbent. Mohammed Wahidu, a local resident, praised Ramadan for his efforts, saying, “The MP has performed well. He repaired a bridge near Old Town, supported individuals who trained as tailors, and provided tricycles for youth under a ‘work and pay’ scheme, though some couldn’t make payments.”
On the other hand, Joseph Atter Teye criticized Ramadan’s lack of engagement with the constituency, adding, “he used to visit during his campaign, but since then, we haven’t seen him. We’ve decided to vote for Akosua Manu. The license registration event he organized was actually more expensive than it would have been at the DVLA office.”
With Ramadan seeking a second term in the Adentan constituency, many wonder if he will be the MP who breaks the constituency’s four-year cycle.
In an interview, he explained his strategy: “No Member of Parliament campaigns in isolation. You campaign on the strength of your political party so essentially, I’m campaigning based on my party’s manifesto, which focuses on helping the youth secure jobs and creating a 24-hour economy. I’m also asking the people of Adentan to retain the MP and give the constituency the opportunity to grow. Since 2004, Adentan has always had one-term MPs and experience matters. All our MPs have been first-timers and backbenchers.
“This is one of the messages I’m sharing with the people—let’s give our constituency the chance to grow. The longer you stay in Parliament, the better it is for the constituency and the more opportunities you can secure for it.”
On the other hand, Akosua Manu, the NPP candidate, is aiming to unseat Ramadan. In an interview, she shared her approach: “We change (MPs) every four years when we don’t see what we want to see. It’s not for me to actually come and promise, I’m actually doing the work. I’ve embarked on projects including gutter construction, and major road projects within the constituency. I’ve provided soft loans for market women among many others.
“I was doing my own stuff within the constituency and I felt that I could actually lead. How do I show I can lead? I’m responding to your needs; if it impacts your life and you feel I deserve your vote, absolutely and when I’m voted in, this is. But the tip of the iceberg as far as what they should expect is concerned when my focus is on the real needs of the constituency.”
Constituents have various priorities when deciding who to vote for. One voter explained, “I’ll vote ‘skirt and blouse.’ I’m voting for Akosua Manu because she’s empathetic, and as a woman, she connects with us.”
Another voter said, “I’ll vote for the candidate who promises to set up a market and a bus station. We don’t have a suitable place to conduct our business.”
Conversely, some voters argue for promoting experience, with one commenting, “In my view, you should promote someone from a lower position to a higher one. The NPP candidate is new to the system, so we should vote for Ramadan.”
As the election draws closer, campaign efforts from both political parties intensify, with executives working hard to secure victory for their respective candidates.
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