One of the huge things the NDC would have to do in its stronghold is to replace three two term MPs who are taking a bow.
The development is particularly worrying because of the high turnover in parliament and the fact that it takes time to mould legislators from the back bench to the front bench. Leadership in parliament takes time and the three are quite high profile.
Heavy on the list of the three MPs is Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey who represents Ketu South. There is also Richard Quarshigah who represents Keta and Bernice Heloo who represents Hohoe.
Prominent among the MPs bowing out of parliament is a four term veteran.
Ketu South
Undoubtedly the strongest hold in the strong hold of the NDC, Ketu South on a good day should give the NDC close to one hundred thousand votes in an election. The NDC however managed half of that in 2016, a clear indication that the opposition party who has been talking up its chances of winning the 2020 election, has work to do to rally votes in the area.
The seat is currently occupied by Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, a popular figure in Ghanaian politics. The Ketu South MP was undoubtedly the Star of the 2008 elections, with his "setting the records straight" series. He was at the time, Propaganda Secretary of the then opposition National Democratic Congress. Since then Fiifi aside being MP for Ketu South since 2013 has been deputy minister for Finance, Minster for Food and Agriculture and Transport. Even though Fiifi has taken a back seat, the very mention of his name still attracts a lot of interest.
His decision to walk out on parliament is seen as a major blow to the NDC in the wake of what is seen as a major image retooling. The MP has toned down and speaks rarely nowadays. It is unclear whether his bow from parliament is an exit from politics but it is clear a new Fiifi Kwetey is being ushered in.
His decision to bow out has sparked off a five way race that is said to be a two horse race.
In the race are a former deputy Tourism and Creative Arts minister Dzifa Gomashie, a former Constituency Secretary Foga Nukunu, former Constituency Vice Chairman Joseph Nyavi (Teacher Nyavi), a Branch Communications Officer Nicholas Worklatsi (Edzo) and a freight forwarder Caroline Kudah Parker.
Before I come to the aspirants in the two horse race, let me indicate that my analysts strongly held the opinion that dark horses in the race are Edzo and Teacher Nyavi. Both, according to my sources have strong connections to the grassroots of the NDC in the constituency. Nicholas Worklatsi was a branch communication officer whiles Teacher Nyavi is a former Constituency Vice Chairman. My sources believe the two can pull a surprise but do not favour them to come out on top.
Of the five aspirants, Caroline Kudah Parker seems to be the darkest house. She is the least favoured to win but it is worth mentioning that Caroline is a member of a branch. Considering primaries are not a race for the swift nor is it exclusively one for the connected but also for the financially resourced, to rule out Caroline Kudah would be premature.
Having said that, I am told it is a two horse race between Foga Nukunu and Dzifa Gomashie. Foga is a teacher who has a strong track record with the grassroots in Ketu South. It is said, he was accompanied by scores of delegates (who will cast ballots on August 24) to pick and file his nomination, an indication he has strong support on the ground. In fact, in cases of such nature, he would be referred to as the "Afevia" or the "Home Boy".
His main contender is Dzifa Gomashie, who is the high profile aspirant in the race and may be favoured nationally to win the race. Her personal relations is a huge factor but her track record with the constituency will account for more. She is said to have provided behind the scenes support for the NDC in the constituency in 2016. She also served as a government appointee at Ketu South Municipal Assembly till 2017. She has strong support that I am told makes her a favourite to win the election, Dzifa is however not an overwhelming favourite to win the election.
There is also the dynamic of the influence of the Aflao and Some divide and the emerging Sapei-Agbo gate.
How all this will play out will be seen on August 24.
Hohoe
A Professor, a doctor and a three time contestant.
The Hohoe race is a six man race to decide who would replace the exiting Bernice Adiku Heloo. Even though she is said to have indicated during her 2016 campaign that she will not be seeking a third term, her decision to exit has received mixed reactions. There are various schools of thought about whether a third term bid would have been successful at the primary level but one thought is clear, her prospects were good.
The decision as to who succeeds the two term MP is being greatly influenced by the increasing likelihood of John Peter Amewu contesting on the ticket of the NPP in the constituency. Even though this would be the third run for the Energy minister, he is hoping for a different outcome buoyed by his development efforts.
In the race is the runner up in the 2015 primaries Dr. Ken Ahorsu, former Municipal Chief Executive Prof Margaret Kweku, three time contestant T.K. Dzimegah, US based Kingsley Nartey, Francis Dimake and Simon Kanyaguye.
Let me state that T.K. Dzimegah and Prof Kweku have both contested for three times whiles Dr. Ken Ahorsu has contested twice. Dr. Ahorsu was runner up in 2015. So there is a lot of experienced contenders to the seat.
Francis Dimake is perhaps the homeboy in the race. He is to be very well known in the constituency. His affiliation and work for NDC is well known in the area. It is however this same familiarity that is working against him. It makes him easier to judge and so far I am told the conclusions are unfavourable.
Another candidate in the race Simon Kunyaguye has also gained some popularity because of a few gestures. His candidature is however not without question because he hails from Likpe which is no longer part of Hohoe due to the demarcation of the new regions.
The race is said to favour Dr. Ahorsu who is seen as the best candidate in the race.
His main contender is Prof. Kweku who as I said has failed to secure the candidature on three occasions. Unluckily for her, she is also the immediate past Chief Executive of the municipality. Despite being clearly overqualified, I am told the verdict on her time as MCE is unfavourable. Then I am told there is a Lolobi angle; so she is up in the air. That leaves the popular T.K. Dzimegah, well known to the delegates but has never looked like a winner.
Keta
Richard Quashigah is also taking a bow at the end of his second term in 2020. Richard Quashigah was until his election as MP, the successor to Fiifi Kwetey as the Propaganda Secretary of the NDC. And like Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey and Bernice Adiku Heloo, his parliamentary career started in 2013 and will end in 2021 when the new parliament is sworn in.
Five people are so far contending to replace him in his party.
Conspicuous in the list of five persons who want to be parliamentary candidate of NDC in Keta after August 24 is the man who contested Richard Quashigah on two occasions. Kwame Gakpey came third in the 2011 and second in the 2015 primaries respectively. He is hoping to continue his upward trajectory on August 24 and earn the opportunity to represent the NDC in parliamentary elections in 2020.
Kwame Gakpey will however have to beat the man who was until recently elected to a second four year term as Chairman of the NDC in Keta. Dr. Senanu Djokoto is currently the Municipal Director of Health Services and had to resign from his position as Chairman to join the contest and seen as a favourite to win the primary. He is an Aide to former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Kwame Gakpey and Dr. Senanu Djokoto are seen as overwhelming favourites to win the race and the primary is seen as two horse race. It waits to be seen who will come out on top in the primary.
Anlo
In Anlo, a four term veteran is set to bow out, kicking off a six way race to replace. Kofi Humado will leave parliament after 16 years in parliament. Kofi Humado has served as minister for Youth and Sports and Agriculture and will bow out after an illustrious period in parliament.
The race to replace him is led by Kwame Sefe who gave Kofi Humado a hot chase in 2011. Kwame Sefe is the presiding member for Anlo Assembly and a district director of education and is seen as the leader of the pack of six in the race.
He is however facing stiff competition from Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, a former Chief Executive of Micro and Small Loans Center (MASLOC). She is the most high profile person in the race and is said to have paid his due to Anlo politics. The question is whether her profile will be enough to win her the race.
Also in the race is the man who lost the Ngleshie-Amanfrom seat in 2016. The Anlo indigene has returned home hoping to be given the nod to represent his people and cannot be ruled out.Bright Demordzi is said to be proving to be a tactical operator.
The fourth candidate in the race is a Senior Research Analyst at the Norguchi Memorial Institute Prof Collins Ahorlu. He is health researcher who is seeking to represent his people in parliament.
Wonder Victor Kutor contested in 2015 and is a former deputy Secretary for NDC in Anlo. He is also a former Youth Employment Authority (YEA) Director for Anlo. He is making a second attempt to represent the NDC in 2020 elections.
The sixth person in the race is Joseph Kpogo Agbeko. He is said to be a businessman who has supported the activities of the Anlo party in diverse ways.
My source has described the race as open and a four way race. The source has tipped Kormi Sefe, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, Bright Demordzi and Prof Ahorlu as the favourites to win the race.
Emerging
Let me start with the Ho Central Constituency race where five persons are contesting the incumbent to represent the NDC in 2020. Benjamin Kpogo is one of the leading voices of the NDC on Finance and Local Governance issues. He recently together with Richard Quarshigah secured a judgment increasing the sources of funds for some statutory funds. He is highly respected within the minority but five other persons believe they can do better at representing his constituency.
Two of the best performing first term MPs in the Volta region are in the Dayi Constituencies. South Dayi MP Rockson Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor and Jocelyn Tetteh of North Dayi.
Joycelyn pulled of a shocker when she beat a popular voice in parliament George Loh in the NDC primaries in 2015. She went on to win the seat in 2016. She faces a battle to retain her seat in 2020 and the first hurdle on that route is the August 24 primaries. Considering the fact that she emerged as one of the leading performing MPs, Joycelyn is tipped to emerge victorious on Saturday.
The other MP is Rockson Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor who is a strong voice in the minority. He is so solid you will be surprised he is first term MP. Rockson is an experienced lawyer and also faces a battle to retain his seat. He is also tipped to emerge victorious on August 24. Rockson has been a great addition to the ranks of the minority.
The other high performing MP is second term MP for Adaklu Kwame Agbodza. He is the voice of the minority on issues of Roads and Transport and has proven to be a competent Spokesperson. He has discharged his duties credibly and the leadership of the minority will be hoping he is retained but his people will have their say.
Like I said, these are the thoughts of persons on the ground, I am only a messenger.
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