The protracted electoral saga in Ghana’s Ahafo Ano North Constituency has finally reached its conclusion with the declaration of Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the duly elected Member of Parliament. This declaration, following a court-mandated re-collation of votes, brings an end to weeks of uncertainty and legal wrangling that followed the December 7, 2020, general elections. The re-collation exercise, overseen by the Electoral Commission (EC) on December 21, 2020, confirmed Agyemang-Prempeh’s victory with a slim margin of 121 votes over his main rival, Kwasi Adusei of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The final tally saw Agyemang-Prempeh secure 20,353 votes, while Adusei garnered 20,232 votes, representing a closely contested election in the constituency.
The court order for the re-collation stemmed from allegations of irregularities and duress during the initial collation process, which cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the results. Concerns raised by stakeholders, including political parties and election observers, prompted legal action seeking a transparent and credible resolution to the electoral impasse. The Accra High Court subsequently directed the EC to undertake a fresh collation of the votes in the Ahafo Ano North Constituency, along with eight other constituencies across the country, to ensure the accurate reflection of the will of the electorate. The court emphasized the importance of adhering to electoral laws and procedures in determining the rightful winners of the parliamentary seats.
The re-collation exercise in Ahafo Ano North was conducted under strict scrutiny, with representatives from both the NPP and NDC, as well as election officials, present to observe the process. The Returning Officer, Kwaku Boamah, meticulously supervised the counting and verification of the ballots, ensuring transparency and accuracy in the final tally. Upon completion of the re-collation, Boamah officially declared Agyemang-Prempeh the winner and Member of Parliament-elect for the constituency. Prince Boamah, the agent representing Agyemang-Prempeh, signed the official results sheet to validate the outcome of the re-collation process.
The Ahafo Ano North Constituency re-collation formed part of a broader effort by the Electoral Commission to address electoral disputes that emerged in the aftermath of the 2020 general elections. Nine constituencies in total were identified for re-collation, including Tema Central, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Ablekuma North, Techiman South, and Okaikwei Central. These constituencies experienced various challenges during the initial collation process, ranging from discrepancies in vote counts to allegations of intimidation and interference. The court’s intervention sought to rectify these issues and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The successful completion of the re-collation exercise in Ahafo Ano North signifies a crucial step towards resolving electoral disputes and upholding the democratic principles of transparency and accountability. The declaration of Agyemang-Prempeh as the legitimate representative of the constituency provides a sense of closure for the constituents and allows for the smooth transition of power. The meticulous adherence to electoral laws and procedures throughout the re-collation process serves to reinforce public trust in the integrity of the electoral system.
However, the narrow margin of victory in Ahafo Ano North highlights the highly competitive nature of Ghanaian politics and the importance of ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections. The close contest between the NPP and NDC underscores the need for continuous efforts to strengthen the electoral framework and address any remaining vulnerabilities. The lessons learned from the 2020 elections, including the challenges faced during the collation process, should inform electoral reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and credibility of future elections. The peaceful resolution of electoral disputes through legal channels, as demonstrated in the Ahafo Ano North case, reinforces the strength of Ghana’s democratic institutions and the commitment to upholding the rule of law.
