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Cape Coast South: Open race for NDC, NPP

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Features Aug - 23 - 2024 , 10:44

It is acclaimed to be the city of firsts: first schools, first churches, first capital of the country, among others.

The Cape Coast Constituency seat has over the years been a very interesting one. Since the 1992 elections, Cape Coast, the Central Regional capital, has also been popular for its political decisions.

The people of the ancient city understand the intricacies of their politics. Any politician who takes Cape Coasters for granted does so at his or her own peril.

Their role in national politics dates back to the colonial days, having been the seat of governance before it was moved to Accra.

Under the Fourth Republic, the parliamentary seat was first held by the National Convention Party (NCP) in 1992 before it was taken over by someone who was described as the “iron woman” of Cape Coast politics, Christine Churcher, for three consecutive terms.

Ernest Arthur, NPP parliamentary aspirant, on a campaign trail

At that time the Cape Coast constituency seat (now divided into the Cape Coast North and Cape Coast South) could only be described as a stronghold of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The 1996 parliamentary election in Cape Coast was a straight fight between NPP’s Christine Churcher and Samuel Valis Akyianu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In the end, Christine Churcher polled 30,496 of the votes, representing 54 per cent of total votes cast, leaving Valis Akyianu with 46 per cent of the votes cast, marking the beginning of a three-term grip of the seat by the NPP.

The 2000 parliamentary election saw an even firmer grip of the seat by Christine Churcher. She won with 31,573, representing 55.7 per cent, this time against NDC’s renowned lawyer, Ebo Barton-Odro, who polled 23,550 votes, representing 41.6 per cent of the votes. Araba Bentsi-Enchill of the CPP polled 2,497, while Macdonald Kobbs Tongo of the PNC had 567.

Cape Coast Castle

In 2008, Cape Coast decided in favour of Lawyer Ebo Barton-Odro who won the parliamentary seat by beating NPP’s Amponsah Dadzie.

The constituency was later divided into the Cape Coast North and South constituencies for the 2012 elections.

Mr Barton-Odro represented Cape Coast North and won, leaving Cape Coast South for newcomer Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, who maintained the winning ways by beating Alfred Thompson of the NPP.

Mr Ricketts-Hagan has since 2012 held the seat firmly for the NDC.

Some NPP faithful embarking on a walk

In spite of the fact that President Akufo-Addo won the presidential elections in 2016, the constituents voted for Ricketts-Hagan for a third consecutive term.

With political experience, Ricketts-Hagan retained the seat in 2020 with 21,118 votes, while the Chief Executive of the Cape Coast Municipal Assembly (CCMA), Ernest Arthur, polled 19,714.

There was an obvious ‘skirt and blouse’ voting in that instance as President Akufo-Addo won in the presidential election with 20,593 votes cast, while former President John Mahama polled 19,694 votes.

This year, the two main political parties continue to criss-cross the constituency for votes. Mr Ricketts-Hagan would have to justify why the electorate must retain him for a fourth term in Parliament.

Incumbent

In an interview with the media, he said he would push for phase two of the Kotokuraba Market and also intensify support for the youth to promote their businesses.

Kweku Ricketts-Hagan on one of his campaigns

He said after the completion of a library at Ekon, he would build a library to support education.

He said he would leverage on the NDC’s manifesto for it to benefit the people of the constituency and pledged to work hard to get the youth trained in employable skills.

On the health and wellbeing of constituents, Mr Ricketts-Hagan said he had supported many constituents with dedicated pharmacy services, where he paid for drugs for the sick.

He said he had also trained hundreds of the youth in various skills, especially in information technology, to make them employable, while giving scholarships to many others.

He disclosed that he had supported the fisherfolk with inputs and would continue to link the constituents, particularly women, to the women's development bank to enhance their livelihoods.

Opponent

He comes up again against the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Ernest Arthur, in a who-is-who contest for the second consecutive time.

Ernest Arthur — NPP parliamentary aspirant

But it is obvious that the constituents, especially floating voters, are not enthused about both candidates, with some saying they would stay away from voting.

While some stated they would not vote at all in the elections, others said they would try other candidates.

"Our leaders have failed us. They promised the youth jobs but did not fulfill the promise. The MCE, who is contesting is for NPP, the current MP is for NDC, and they have both failed us the youth," Robert Mireku, a driver stated.

"Myself, my wife and three adult children will all not vote. The leaders don't have our interest at heart," he added.

A doughnut seller, Maame Esi, said she would vote for the NDC because of the current economic hardship.

"The price of the oil I use is increased all the time. The last time I bought oil it had been increased by 25 cedis.

“I am NPP but I will just vote for Ricketts-Hagan because the economic hardship has worsened and I don't even care whether he has performed as MP or not," she said.

Others said Mr Ricketts-Hagan had held the seat for 12 years but had not fulfilled his promises to the constituents, adding that he did not deserve another term.

They said he promised jobs for the youth but did not do much in that area.

Kofi Enu said the incumbent promised them but had not been able to achieve what he promised.

However, he said the Ekon bridge had been done and for that he would vote for him again.

Another resident said as a disabled person she was supported through surgery by Ricketts-Hagan, saying she would vote for him again.

Another resident, Akwasi Amponsah, said the MP only boasted of roundabouts and nothing else, saying for the past 12 years he had not done much.

"We will also try Ernest Arthur and see, Kweku Ricketts has failed us," he stated.

Isaac Asante, another resident, said we have not seen the jobs he promised the youth. "I campaigned for him. I voted skirt and blouse, but I have not see anything. I won't vote for him again," he stated.

Ricketts-Hagan would have to work hard if he is to retain the seat.

Mr Ernest Arthur's chances, on the other hand, has been negatively impacted by the current economic situation in the country.

Cape Coast South is still open..