December 8, 2024, marked a historic turning point for the Adentan Constituency as voters broke a longstanding trend by re-electing their sitting Member of Parliament.
Since its creation in 2004, Adentan has been known for its pattern of electing MPs who serve only one term.
However, Mohammed Adamu Ramadan of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) defied this tradition by securing a second term in office
Campaign Strategies: The Road to Victory
The parliamentary race in Adentan featured two strong contenders: the incumbent MP, Mohammed Adamu Ramadan, and Akosua Asaa Manu, popularly known as Kozie, of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Both candidates launched vigorous campaigns, presenting their visions and achievements to the electorate.
Mohammed Adamu Ramadan’s Strategy
Ramadan anchored his campaign on continuity and the broader vision of the NDC. Speaking in an interview with Channel One News’ Bervelyn Longdon, he emphasized:
In an earlier interview with Channel One News’ Bervelyn Longdon, he stated, “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.”
Akosua Asaa Manu’s Approach
Akosua Asaa Manu highlighted her track record of community projects, including road construction, gutter repairs, and providing soft loans to market women. She campaigned on visible achievements, stating:
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 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”.
Election Day and Results
On December 7, over 90,000 voters cast their ballots across 323 polling centres in the constituency. The results were declared the following day at 3:40 p.m., confirming Mohammed Adamu Ramadan’s victory with 56,303 votes, a significant lead over Akosua Asaa Manu’s 35,143 votes.
In the presidential election, John Dramani Mahama of the NDC won the Adentan vote with 60,116 votes, while Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP secured 29,578 votes.
Why Ramadan’s Campaign Worked
Key to Ramadan’s victory was the NDC’s grassroots strategy. Constituency Secretary Larry Aikins attributed the win to their intensive door-to-door campaign, which engaged voters directly and reinforced the party’s message of continuity and development.
“The door-to-door campaign was introduced by the late Prof. Mills, and so this is our anchor; touch the base, talk to the people, and let them understand the need and the reason why they should vote for the NDC.”
Ramadan’s call to break Adentan’s one-term MP cycle also resonated with voters, many of whom believed that retaining MPs would lead to more significant growth and opportunities for the constituency.
Challenges for Akosua Asaa Manu
Despite a visible campaign, Akosua Asaa Manu’s efforts were undermined by several factors:
- National Sentiment Against the NPP: Public dissatisfaction with the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government’s economic policies and governance affected her campaign.
- Overreliance on Historical Trends: Kozie’s campaign seemed to hinge on the constituency’s tradition of one-term MPs, a strategy that failed to address the changing voter sentiment.
- Failure to Convert Visibility into Votes: While her posters and billboards were prominent, they did not translate into voter support.
Adentan’s Political Landscape
The focus in the Adentan Constituency has often been on the fact that MPs typically serve only one term. However, an interesting trend has emerged over the years. The constituency has predominantly leaned towards the NDC.
Out of the six MPs who have served or are currently serving, only two have been from the NPP. In 2004, the late Kwadwo Opare-Hammond of the NPP served as MP until 2008. The next NPP representative was Yaw Buaben Asamoa, who served from 2016 to 2020.
The NDC, on the other hand, has had Kojo Adu Asare (2008–2012), Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore (2012–2016), Mohammed Adamu Ramadan (2020–2024), and now Ramadan once again for 2024 to 2028.
Conclusion
Mohammed Adamu Ramadan’s victory signals a new era for Adentan, breaking the one-term MP cycle and setting the stage for continued development. Alongside John Dramani Mahama’s presidency, the constituency is poised for growth.
However, whether Ramadan can sustain this momentum and secure a third term will depend on his performance over the next four years.
