The former Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Mr. Paul Asare Ansah, has picked nomination forms to contest for the NPP parliamentary primaries in the Asuogyaman constituency of the Eastern region.

This move adds up to his fourth attempt of contesting the Asuogyaman constituency parliamentary primaries on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party, NPP.

About 513 out of the total 699 electoral area coordinators and polling station executives of the constituency on Thursday, massed up at the party office to pick a form on his behalf.

Presenting the forms to Mr. Paul Ansah, the party's constituency organiser, Mr. David Sosu, stated that, a survey was conducted in the constituency to propose for a candidate who can wrestle power for the party in the constituency and majority went in for Mr. Paul Asare Ansah.

Receiving the forms, Mr. Paul Ansah thanked all members who contributed in picking the forms and promised not let them down if he emerges the winner in the upcoming primaries.

Previous primaries

Mr. Paul Ansah recorded defeat to Hon. Kofi Osei Ameyaw in both 2008 and 2012 primaries.

Mr. Ansah faced another surprise defeat to Kwame Adu-Darkwah in the 2016 primaries.

Parliamentary Election Dynamics in the Asuogyaman Constituency

In 1996 parliamentary election, Hon. Kwamena Dwamena-Aboagye won the seat for the NDC with 20,320 of the total valid vote cast representing 51.40%. The NPP candidate, Ntow-Bediako Emmanuel Wellin, also pulled 4,032 representing 10.20%. The difference was 16,288.

The NDC again retained the seat in the 2000 parliamentary election with a different candidate, Hon. Dwamena Bekoe Emmanuel, who pulled 14,905 of the total valid vote cast representing 52.9%. The NPP also presented a new candidate, Dr. Godfreid Kofi Siaw, who pulled 12,579 representing 44.7%. The difference was 2, 332.

The NPP did magic by winning the seat in the 2004 parliamentary election for the first time with a fresh candidate, Hon. Kofi Osei Ameyaw, who had 17,806 of the total valid vote cast representing 51.60%. The NDC candidate (Incumbent), Hon. Dwamena Bekoe Emmanuel also pulled 15, 873 representing 46.00%. The difference was 1.933.

The NDC brought in a new candidate, in the 2008 parliamentary election Hon. Joses Asare Akoto who defeated the incumbent NPP Member of parliament Hon. Kofi Osei Ameyaw with 16, 608 of the total valid vote cast representing 51.30%. Hon. Kofi Osei of the NPP also pulled 15,473 representing 47.80%. The difference was 1.135

In the 2012 parliamentary election, The NPP presented the same Kofi Osei Ameyaw who took the seat back from the NDC. He pulled 20.750 of the total valid vote cast representing 51.79%. The NDC candidate (incumbent) Hon. Joses Asare Akoto also pulled 18,650 representing 46.55%. The difference was 2,100.

In the 2016 parliamentary election, both parties presented new candidates where the NDC won the seat back. Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko who won the seat for the NDC had 20,493 of the total valid vote cast representing 51.87%. The NPP candidate, Kwame Adu-Darkwah also pulled 18,668 representing 47.25%. The difference was 1.825.

Since the 2000 election, no political party has ever retained the seat continuously.

With this dynamics it points out clearly that the NPP candidate can emerge victorious in the upcoming 2020 election.

The battle line in the NPP parliamentary primaries has drawn between Hon. Paul Asare Ansah and Hon. Kwame Adu-Darkwah. Who leads the NPP in the Asuogyaman constituency in 2020??