Some prominent incumbent
members of the John Mahama-led National Democratic Congress have lost their
parliamentary seats in the just ended 2016 general elections. Notable among
them is Hon. Hannah Tetteh, the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West
Constituency who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs. She lost her seat to a
business mogul, George Andah who contested on the ticket of the New Patriotic
Party. The incumbent NDC Member of Parliament for Madina, Alhaji Amadu Sorogho
lost his seat to Boniface Saddick also from the NPP. The Incumbent NDC MP for
Ledzokuku, Sena Okiti-Duah also lost her seat to Dr. Okoe Boye, of the NPP.
Other causalities include Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Nii Amassah Namoale and
Paul Evans Aidoo who have all lost to the NPP.
The defeats suffered by
these party bigwigs have resulted in a massive parliamentary majority for the
NPP with no less than 169 seats. A number of factors can be attributed to the
loss these prominent members suffered. Important among them was the voter
apathy that was exhibited on voting day. Records show that low voter turnout was
recorded across the country, while the issue of corruption and incompetence
that were levelled against the incumbent NDC was also said to have played a
part.
Just like in the United States of America, many of these bigwigs were
hopeful of having the advantage of incumbency at their disposal. Again, the
Ghanaian voter, who is fast becoming discerning seemed to have voted on issues.
As a result, not even the speedy execution, commissioning or inauguration of
many projects close to the Election Day could sway them to vote for the ruling
government.
In the case of the
presidential race, the marginal difference that was recorded for the NPP as
against that of the NDC was evident of how many people wanted to see a change
in government. Now that the will of the people have been granted, only time
will tell if the electorate have made the right choice.
AEP
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