As Ghana gears up for the 2024 general elections, all eyes are on some key constituencies including the Ledzokuku constituency, a key battleground that has seen intense competition between the major political parties , thus the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the years.
The upcoming election promises to be no different, with both the NDC and the NPP vying for dominance in this crucial constituency.
Constituency Overview
Established in 1992, the Ledzokuku constituency is bounded to the south by the Gulf of Guinea, extending from the Kpeshie Lagoon to the Sakumono Junction. It continues along the railway line through Sakumono to the ‘On the Run’ traffic light and is bordered to the east by the Spintex Road towards the Coca-Cola Roundabout. The northern boundary follows the Motorway to the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, moving south along the Ashitey Akomfra Electoral area towards the Kpeshie Lagoon estuary. The Constituency has the Krowor Constituency to the east, the Adentan and the Ayawaso Constituencies to the north, and the La Dade-Kotopon Constituency to the west.
As of 2020, the Ledzokuku Constituency had a voter population of about 142,995 registered voters in 12 electoral areas including namely Nii Ashietey Akomfra, Agblezaa, Aborle, Akromadeokpo, Akromadeokpo West, Tsuibleoo South, Okosekor, Sutsurunor, Tsuibleoo North, Teshie-Nungua North, Teshie-Nungua South and Tsuibleoo Central. Some of its popular neighbourhoods include the Teshie Nungua Estates, Martey Tsuru, Greda Estate, Teshie Camp 2, Manet, Tsuibleoo, Tebibiiano, and Lascala, among others.
It also has some key institutions and landmarks like the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) Hospital, which is at Teshie, the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the Kofi Annan International Peace keeping Centre (KAIPTC), and several industries. It also boasts of the Teshie Presbyterian Senior High School (SHS), Teshie Technical Institute, O’Reilly SHS, Southern Cluster of Schools, Northern Cluster of Schools, Anglican Primary, Roman Catholic School, Methodist School, Presbyterian Primary and the Da’salam Islamic schools. Most of the constituents are fisherfolks.
Historical Context
The NDC has consistently led in presidential elections within the Constituency, clinching victory in five out of seven instances. The NPP, on the other hand, managed to win only twice, specifically in the years 2000 and 2004.
Despite having a strong preference for presidential candidates of the NDC, Ledzokuku has a history of swinging between the parliamentary candidates of the NDC and NPP, making it one of the most unpredictable constituencies in the Greater Accra Region. In the 2020 elections, the NPP’s Dr Bernard Okoe Boye narrowly lost his seat to the NDC’s Benjamin Ayiku Narteh, highlighting the constituency’s volatile nature. Dr Okoe Boye polled 54,072 votes (48.8%) while Ayiku garnered 55,938 votes (50.5%).
Dr Okoe Boye lost because of a number of reasons including the constituency’s traditional inclination towards the NDC. Dr Okoe Boye himself in an interview on Asempa FM’s ‘Ekosii Sen’ programme in December 2020 acknowledged that it would take years of hard work to change the default inclination of the constituency towards the NDC. Many constituents were also unhappy with the restrictions placed on the celebration of the Homowo festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision was attributed to Dr Okoe Boye, who was also the Deputy Minister for Health at the time. There were internal issues within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that contributed to his defeat. Dr Okoe Boye had indicated that these issues would be addressed internally.
More so, Dr Okoe Boye was tagged as “stingy” in the constituency. Many constituents felt Dr Okoe Boye was not generous, a crucial element in Ghanaian politics, where personal contributions often influence public perception. Additionally, there was a perception of “favouritism.” Dr Okoe Boye was criticised for assisting mainly NPP supporters. His presence in the constituency was seen as inconsistent. Voters complained that Okoe Boye did not frequent the constituency often enough, creating a disconnect between him and the people. Another critical issue was his failure to fulfill key campaign promises, most notably the construction and completion of a landing beach at Teshie, which became a score point for many local fishermen who had high hopes for the project.
The NDC’s Benjamin Ayiku was also elected as Member of Parliament in 2020 largely due to his fresh presence on the political scene.
Before that Dr Okoe Boye won the 2016 parliamentary elections for the Ledzokuku constituency with 45,259 votes, which accounted for 50.75% of the total votes. His main opponent, Benita Sena Okity-Duah of the NDC who was a Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection received 43,092 votes, making up 48.32% of the votes.
Dr Okoe Boye defeated the NDC’s Benita because many constituents felt that she did not bring enough development to the area during her tenure. They wanted a change and believed Dr Okoe Boye would better represent their interests. Dr Okoe Boye’s victory in 2016 was also attributed to his fresh appeal. He was a new face in politics, and many constituents gave him a chance, particularly due to his promises, such as the much-anticipated landing beach at Teshie. Furthermore, he garnered significant support from residents who lived in the estate, which bolstered his campaign efforts. His benevolent actions by offering free consultations at the LEKMA Hospital was also key.
In the 2012 parliamentary elections for the Ledzokuku constituency, NDC’s Benita won with 52,554 votes (55.35%) against NPP’s Dr Gladys Nortey Ashitey who received 42,038 votes (44.27%). The NDC had a strong support base in the Ledzokuku constituency at the time which significantly contributed to her victory. As the incumbent party, the NDC had the advantage of established networks and resources that helped in mobilising voters. Benita’s campaign effectively addressed local issues and resonated with the electorate, ensuring her appeal to a broad base of voters. These factors combined to secure her win in the 2012 elections.
In the 2008 parliamentary elections for the Ledzokuku constituency, Nii Nortey Duah of the NDC won with 42,087 votes (57.23%) against Dr Gladys Nortey Ashitey of the NPP who received 30,622 votes (41.64%). The NDC had a strong support base in the Ledzokuku constituency, which significantly contributed to Nii Nortey Dua’s victory. Nii Nortey Dua’s campaign effectively addressed local issues and resonated with the electorate, ensuring his appeal to a broad base of voters.
NPP’s Dr Gladys Norley Ashitey won the elections in 2004 with 33,039 votes (43.10%) defeating the NDC’s Nii Nortey Dua who had 32,169 (42.00%). The NPP had significant support in the constituency at the time. Dr Ashitey’s campaign effectively addressed the needs and concerns of the constituents, which resonated well with the voters. As a physician, her professional background and reputation contributed to her appeal among voters. The overall political climate and the performance of the NPP government under President John Agyekum Kufuor also played a role in her victory.
In the 2000 general election, NDC’s incumbent Nii Adjei Boye Sekan was replaced by the NPP’s Eddie Akita, who lost the 2004 election to former Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gladys Norley Ashitey. Nii Adjei Boye Sekan was the only two-term MP for Ledzokuku from 1992 to 2000 after winning the elections in 1992 and 1996. The late Nii Adjei Boye Sekan had two terms because NPP boycotted the 1992 elections so he contested unopposed in the 1992 elections and won. In the 1996 elections, NDC’s Nii Adjei Boye Sekan secured 49.6% of the votes while the NPP’s Ben Ablorh Annan garnered 31.0%.
The NDC’s success in this election can be attributed to their strong organisational presence and effective campaign strategies in the Greater Accra Region. Their policies and promises resonated well with the local electorate, contributing to their win. The NDC was the ruling party at the time, which might have given them an edge in terms of resources and visibility.
2024: Key Candidates and their Campaign Strategies
For the 2024 elections, the two key political parties have field strong candidates. The NDC has brought back the incumbent, Benjamin Ayiku Narteh, who has been active in addressing local issues and engaging with constituents. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku, was re-elected in May 2023 as the party’s candidate. He secured 2,289 votes out of 2,915 valid votes cast in the party’s parliamentary primary in the constituency. His opponent, Bernard Martei Korley, received 619 votes.
On the other hand, the NPP has also brought back Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, who remains a popular figure due to his previous tenure and contributions to healthcare in the area. In December 2023 Dr Bernard Okoe Boye was elected as the parliamentary candidate for the NPP in the Ledzokuku constituency. In a total of 1,635 valid votes cast, Dr Okoe Boye emerged with a substantial lead, amassing 902 votes. Collins Nii Ashitey Ollenu secured the second position with 354 votes, followed by Clifford Martey in third place with 199 votes. Ibrahim Adjei, a presidential staffer, came in fourth with 180 votes.
Both parties are ramping up their campaign efforts, focusing on grassroots mobilisation and addressing key local issues such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The NDC is leveraging its recent successes and the incumbent’s track record, while the NPP is banking on its broader national policies and the appeal of its potential candidate. NDC’s Narteh is emphasising his achievements over the past term, particularly in health and education. He is confident that his track record will help him break the constituency’s one-term hoodoo.
His campaign includes community engagement, highlighting improvements in local healthcare and educational facilities.
NPP’s Dr Boye, who previously served as the MP, is campaigning for a comeback. He is leveraging his past contributions to the community, particularly in health, to win back support.
His supporters are actively criticising the current administration while outlining a vision for future improvements.
Voter Concerns
Residents of Ledzokuku have expressed concerns over various issues, including unemployment, inadequate healthcare facilities, and poor road infrastructure. Both candidates will need to address these concerns convincingly to win the trust and votes of the electorate.
In separate interviews with Citi News/ Channel One News, voters expressed concerns over the constituency’s roads. For many of them, the poor condition of inner roads remains a major concern. Despite multiple protests and pleas to the government, little progress has been made. Many voters now say that road improvements will be a decisive factor in their voting choices in the upcoming elections.
A voter indicated that “I’m a taxi driver, and the inner roads of Ledzokuku are terrible. We’ve complained and talked about it, but nothing significant has happened. It’s only recently that we’ve seen some roadworks,” one resident noted. “Clear and tangible road development will determine who I vote for.”
Beyond infrastructure, economic pressures are rising. “I should be more financially secure by now, but I’m not. Prices keep going up every time you visit the market. You buy pepper today, and tomorrow, the price has increased,” another voter expressed.
Fishermen in Teshie are also demanding the completion of the long-overdue Teshie Landing Beach, a key project for their livelihood.
“I’ll vote skirt and blouse. I’ll support Okoe Boye and John Mahama because Mahama has pledged to end the closed fishing season, and Okoe Boye is committed to completing the landing beach project he started. Since both are addressing my concerns, they have my vote,” a fisherman shared.
Market women, on the other hand, are calling for the construction of a local market to provide a safe and permanent space for their businesses, while the youth are increasingly vocal about the urgent need for job opportunities.
Meanwhile, there are some who want to break the one-term jinx of MPs. One of such persons is Nii Armah who says “the time has come to break this trend, as development has become the key factor shaping voting decisions in the area.”
Another voter, a market woman noted “We want the best, which is why we’ve often decided not to re-elect an MP for another term. However, this pattern is also hindering development in the constituency, so we’re likely to reconsider that approach.”
Predictions and Polls
Early polls and political analysts suggest a tight race but the constituency’s history of swinging between parties will play out again in this year’s election. There will likely be a ‘skirt and blouse’ situation where the NDC is likely to be favoured in the presidential race and NPP in the parliamentary race.
Conclusion
The constituency’s history of alternating party support suggests that we can expect another instance of this trend. Specifically, a ‘skirt and blouse’ scenario is anticipated, with the NDC likely to secure the presidential race while the NPP is favored in the parliamentary race. These dynamic underscores the nuanced and unpredictable nature of voter behavior in this constituency.
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spams, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
