As Ghanaians prepare for an upcoming presidential and parliamentary election, significant political activities have unfolded in the Dome-Kwabenya constituency. This area, known as a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), is witnessing a heated contest between the NPP’s candidate, Mr. Mike Ocquaye Jnr., and the leading opposition candidate from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Madam Faustina Elikplim Akurugu. Mike Ocquaye, a former ambassador to India and CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, is making his parliamentary debut after besting the incumbent MP, Madam Adwoa Safo, in the party primaries. On the other hand, Akurugu is retaking her challenge after her robust performance in the 2020 elections.
Mike Ocquaye, benefitting from his political lineage as the son of former MP Professor Mike Ocquaye, enters the race with several advantages that include his family’s legacy and the NPP’s historical dominance in the constituency since 2004. His campaign strategy includes door-to-door outreach, which he characterizes as a “submarine” campaign, aimed at deeply engaging with constituents. In contrast, Madam Akurugu capitalizes on the NDC’s unifying message of change. She believes that two decades of NPP governance in Dome-Kwabenya have yielded little progress, positioning her candidacy as a path to transformative development for the community.
Akurugu articulates a campaign focused on five critical pillars: inclusive governance, safety and security, job creation, infrastructure development, and social welfare improvements. She emphasizes her innovative proposal for an annual ‘state of constituency address,’ promoting accountability and active participation of constituents in governance. In the previous 2020 elections, she garnered 52,262 votes (40.97%) against Safo’s 75,041 (58.68%), marking her as a formidable challenge despite the defeat. With an educational background in psychology and counseling, as well as diverse experience in community development and private enterprise, Akurugu is well-positioned to carry the voice of the constituents.
The Dome-Kwabenya constituency was formed in 2004 from the Madina-Abokobi area and has consistently favored the NPP in both presidential and parliamentary elections. The political history of Dome-Kwabenya highlights the NPP’s firm grip over the constituency, with notable victories, such as Professor Mike Ocquaye’s initial win in 2004 and subsequent successes by Adwoa Safo until her exit. The NPP’s electoral fortunes have remained robust, underscoring the efficacy of its campaigning strategies and deep-rooted support in the area.
Historically, Dome-Kwabenya has witnessed significant NPP victories, with Ocquaye and Safo winning elections with increasing margins over the years. The NPP has consistently maintained a dominant presence, winning each election cycle since the constituency’s creation. Yet, the electoral landscape may be shifting, given Akurugu’s impressive performance in the last election and the changing political sentiments among constituents who have been largely unsatisfied with the status quo.
Political analysts are observing the current race closely, noting that Akurugu’s candidacy represents a potential breaking of the NPP’s longstanding stronghold in the constituency. Her gender, alongside the significant support she received in her previous attempt, lends her campaign an edge in a demographic that may be seeking to diversify representation and governance. The upcoming elections not only serve as a test for both parties in Dome-Kwabenya but also reflect broader trends in Ghana’s evolving political landscape, particularly around issues of accountability, development, and gender equality in political representation.
