NDC Primaries: The Volta Contest, Part 1

On August 24, 2019 when delegates of the biggest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) go to the polls to elect a parliamentary candidate, the Volta region will to a high likelihood be electing the persons who will be representing their respective constituencies from 2021 to 2024.

Whiles the pre-Nana Akufo-Addo Volta region had one New Patriotic Party seat, the Nana Akufo-Addo Volta region has no NPP seat.

The Volta region has been referred to as the stronghold of the NDC meaning the chances of any other party winning a seat in the region are, to put it charitably, small.

The fact is that an NDC candidate will be the next MP for his constituency.

That is why I will spend the next few days talking about the race for the NDC candidacy in some notable constituencies in the region.

Before I embark on the first of these exercises, let me first state that one of the constituency which interests me most is the one held by the man who is perhaps the poster boy of Members of Parliament in the Volta region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is the ranking member of the prestigious Foreign Affairs committee of Parliament and is MP for North Tongu, one of the three Tongu Constituencies.

While I will be focusing on the races in South And Central Tongu, I will not have to talk about North Tongu because Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa will be contesting unopposed.

This is perhaps a testament of how fast he has learnt and evolved, considering he is only a second term MP yet has proven efficient in dealing with the concerns of his constituencies as well as putting his party on the front burner at all times.

I can only say Congratulations to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for securing himself a third term in parliament.

Having dealt with North Tongu, allow me to start from home; South Tongu to be precise.

South Tongu

Even though, I was born and raised in this constituency and so have my own suspicions, the things I will write are the analysis of individuals close enough, interested but not to the extent of picking sides.

Let me start by introducing the aspirants; three term Member of Parliament for the area Kobena Mensah Woyome and a two times failed aspirant Maxwell Lukutor.

Kobena Mensah Woyome has been MP for South Tongu since 2009, when he replaced the overachieving Kenneth Dzirasah, a former deputy Speaker of Parliament. While, Kobena Mensah Woyome has not yet attained the heights of Ken Dzirasah, he has been a consistent leader in the Youth and Sports Committee of Parliament and a strong voice of the sector. He has also proven to be a shrewd politician who has survived two highly contested primaries during which he was tagged as incompetent and under performing.

Maxwell Lukutor is a Geodetic Engineer who contested in primaries prior to the 2012 and 2016 elections. Even though there were other aspirants in both primaries, Maxwell Lukutor emerged not only as the lead contestant but emerged runner up in both polls.

In case, I failed to mention it, the primaries in South Tongu is a two horse race. It is a race that gives Maxwell Lukutor the best opportunity of proving that he is the right man to replace Kobena Mensah Woyome and perhaps beat him for the first time.

It is important to point out that the incumbent is seeking a fourth term; meaning he has had enough opportunity to show that he is the best representative of the constituency. The argument of learning the ropes in parliament will therefore not hold. This is therefore the best time for the MP to account for his stewardship and for delegates to determine whether he deserves to serve another term in the august house.

It is however also key to state that when the delegates go to the polls during the primaries, they will also take into consideration, the alternative; the alternative in this case is Maxwell Lukutor.

There are however some dynamics that will also come to play in this instance; dynamics that my watchers say do not play to the advantage of Mr. Lukutor.

The truth however is that the race is one to watch.

Let me state, that I have not as yet spoken to any of the candidates about their chances.

Central Tongu 

This constituency is one I personally share a good bond with because of my relationship with the former Member of Parliament and his successor.

The incumbent, Gabby Alexander Hottordze defeated former Roads Minister Joe Gidisu in NDC primaries ahead of the 2016 elections.

As expected, Gabby, a health professional won the parliamentary elections in 2016 and has been MP since 2017.

2 years 7 months down the lane, he is battling to hold on to the seat.

His contender is an academic who is a Senior Research fellow at the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies of the University Studies.

With a Masters and doctorate degrees from Bonn University in Germany, Dr. Yayra Fosu-Mensah is seeking to make Gabby a one-term MP.

I must state that before becoming MP, Gabby worked as a Constituency Secretary of the NDC in Central Tongu so is well known to the grassroots of the party.

Dr. Fosu-Mensah's candidature has been without controversy as the decision to clear her to contest came as a shock to Constituency executives of Central Tongu.  The truth is that her aspiration to be MP was not her first contest post-2016. She was disqualified from contesting branch elections by Constituency executives. Their reason was that she was not known to the branch where she attempted to hold an executive position. Fast forward to 2019 and she is in the running to be the number one representative of the people. I am told the decision of the vetting committee did not go unquestioned. The Central Tongu Constituency Youth Organizer who raised the issue of her lack of connection with the grassroots was told by the Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo led vetting committee that she was known to the National executives, who considered her contributions at that level worthy to give her the leverage to contest at the constituency level.

The question is whether she is still unknown to the grassroots of the party?

The answer to the above question, I am told is a big "Nay". Dr. Fosu-Mensah's candidature, I understand has gained a lot of ground with strong backing from forces within the constituency. She has, I am told secured the backing of some high profile "sons and daughters" of the constituency.

Clearly, her candidature is gathering storm.

As for Hon Alexander Gabby Hottordze, he still believes he is at the service of the people and that it is the people who grants power. I vividly recall my interaction with him prior to the 2016 primaries. I recall asking him, "how do you weigh your chances?"; his response was that "it is for the people to decide" and that he has done his part by speaking to them and telling them his vision. This remains his position up till today; it is for the people to judge.

I am told, the people are judging him based on the work being done by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. It is important to make the point that no Volta MP can pass that standard. Unfortunately, that is the closest standard, so Gabby can only hope he at least obtains a pass mark. Failure will usher in the reign of Dr. Fosu-Mensah, who hails from a small village called Dokpo.

Whatever happens, this is a race to watch.

Akatsi South

Not far from South Tongu, is a race I know so well; the Akatsi South race.

Whiles I am using to Divine Dzikunu aka Kporviekpor's tussle with the calm, unassuming Bernard Ahiafor, I am being told the NDC primaries are promising to be a race to take in.

Bernard Ahiafo is the incumbent and has been MP for two terms after emerging victor in both the primaries and by-elections that was necessitated by the elevation of Edward Doe Adjahoe to the office of Speaker in 2013. Bernard Ahiafo will go on to earn a second term in 2016 and is now seeking a third term.

Having monitored the 2012, 2013 and 2016 races I can imagine the rhetoric surrounding this one.

Bernard Ahiafo is the Vice Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament. Fortunately for me, I have had the opportunity of interviewing and interacting with him and he is a diligent, thorough, detailed person. While I admire his work in parliament, his constituents are his employers and will be passing a vote in his performance thus far.

Let me introduce his contenders: the Presiding member of the Akatsi South District Assembly, Godwin Asimenu, one Samuel Nugblega, and  William Kpormatsi. The three persons are seeking to end Bernard Ahiafo's two term reign.

I am told of the three, Godwin Asimenu has a real touch with the grassroots. He is said to have a strong connection with them and is leveraging on that to seek to be the 2020 Parliamentary candidate of the NDC.

Samuel Nugblega and William Kpormatsi, I understand are also well known within the NDC in the constituency. I am also told, Samuel Nugblega has the backing of some Constituency executives Who are seeking to push his candidature.

Whatever the case, primaries in Akatsi South have always been heated and unpredictable. I understand the current one is no different.

I have had the privilege of witnessing both primaries and parliamentary elections that Bernard Ahiafo won and I believe he knows what to expect and is prepared for them. It is however important to indicate that Akatsi South delegates are not so easily convinced.

In the meantime, I am told that Asimenu poses the biggest threat to Ahiafo and of course, I am following keenly. The difficulty with having two or more competitors contesting an incumbent is that it will take voters desperate for change and a different direction to get behind one of the competitors.

We will see if Akatsi South turns out to be desperate enough to get rid of an MP that is considered a leader in the minority.

In Part II, I will focus on Anlo, Keta and Ketu South whose MPs have decided to take a bow from parliament. They will not be seeking another term.