The 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana will officially be dissolved today, January 6, 2025, marking the conclusion of a highly contentious legislative term that began in January 2021.
As the dissolution takes place, several key figures from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will bid farewell to the legislature following a bruising defeat in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
This was a shocking moment in the political space, as high-profile Members of Parliament (MPs), including some of the party’s stalwarts, saw their seats slip away to candidates from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
During the final sitting of the 8th Parliament, the Right Honourable Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of the House, will preside over the closure of the term, with MPs concluding all pending legislative business.
Newly elected Members of Parliament will then be sworn in, ushering in the 9th Parliament at midnight, and bringing to life a new legislative era.
This transition is expected to address pressing issues such as economic recovery, healthcare reforms, and electoral disputes that have come to the forefront in the wake of the elections.
As the NPP grapples with the fallout from the 2024 elections, several seasoned members of Parliament have seen their influence wane, resulting in major loss for the party. Among the most notable casualties are:
KT Hammond
Veteran politician KT Hammond, a key figure for the NPP and MP for Adansi Asokwa, was defeated by Godwin Animli Dorgbadzi Dorani of the NDC. Hammond secured 13,275 votes, while Dorani claimed victory with 14,229 votes, signaling a seismic shift in the political landscape of the constituency.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who represented Ablekuma West, was unseated by Rev Kweku Addo of the NDC. Owusu-Ekuful received 26,575 votes, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win against Addo’s 31,866 votes, underscoring the NDC’s growing strength in urban constituencies.
Henry Quartey
In another key upset, NPP’s Henry Quartey, who represented Ayawaso Central, lost his seat to Abdul Rauf Tongym Tubazu of the NDC. Quartey polled 23,345 votes, falling far behind Tubazu’s 29,755 votes, while Charles Kwame Adams of the National Democratic Party (NDP) managed just 163 votes.
Dakoa Newman
Dakoa Newman, the MP for Okaikwei South, joined the list of prominent NPP figures who were unseated, reflecting the difficulty the party faced in urban constituencies. Her loss comes amid broader electoral shifts within the capital city.
Sylvester Tetteh
Sylvester Tetteh, MP for Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro, was also ousted, with Okle Felix Akwetey of the NDC securing a decisive victory with 37,473 votes, compared to Tetteh’s 27,888 votes.
Twum Barimah
In Dormaa East, Twum Barimah lost narrowly to the NDC’s Rachel Owusuaa, with 12,050 votes, while Owusuaa secured 12,310 votes in a closely contested race, further highlighting the changing political tides in key constituencies.
Adwoa Safo
Adwoa Safo, the MP for Dome Kwabenya, could not contest the 2024 elections after being defeated in the NPP parliamentary primaries by Mike Oquaye Jr. Despite the NPP’s best efforts, the seat was won by Faustina Elikplim Akurugu of the NDC with 50,967 votes, narrowly defeating Oquaye Jr., who garnered 50,669 votes.
The Implications for the NPP and the Road Ahead
These defeats signal a shift in Ghana’s political landscape, with the NDC making significant gains in constituencies that were once considered secure for the NPP. The election results indicate that the NPP’s dominance is facing growing challenges, and the party must now engage in introspection to determine the causes behind its setbacks in these key races.
The losses of these political heavyweights, combined with the broader changes in the political landscape, have placed the NPP at a crossroads. The party will now have to contend with a restructured Parliament and address the new political dynamics that will define the 9th Parliament. As the NDC celebrates these victories, the NPP faces the tough task of rebuilding and strategizing for the future.
The 9th Parliament, set to be inaugurated at midnight tonight, will be tasked with addressing pressing national issues, including economic recovery, healthcare reform, and the unresolved electoral disputes that have marked the conclusion of the 2024 elections. As Ghana watches, the next phase of the country’s political journey begins.
