Mercy360 Blog of Saturday, 30 November 2024
Source: Mercy Mensah
Four Members of Parliament (MPs) have decided to break away from their respective parties to contest the 2024 Ghanaian general election as independent candidates. This move is seen as a significant development in the country's political landscape.
The four MPs are Vincent Sowah Odotei, Samia Nkrumah, Cynthia Morrison, and Kwadwo Asante. They will be competing against candidates from the two major parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as well as other independent candidates.
Vincent Sowah Odotei, also known as "Obama," was the MP for La Dade Kotopon Constituency from 2017 to 2020. He lost his re-election bid in the 2020 NPP primaries but has now decided to run as an independent candidate. Odotei faces stiff competition from incumbent NDC MP Rita Odoley Sowah and the NPP candidate Joseph Addo.
Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is also contesting as an independent candidate. She was a former MP for Jomoro Constituency and ex-Chairperson of the Convention People's Party (CPP). Nkrumah faces competition from incumbent NDC MP Dorcas Affo-Tetteh and the NPP's Paul Essien.
Cynthia Morrison, the incumbent MP for Agona West, declared her independent candidacy in August 2024 after losing her NPP primaries to Christopher Arthur. Morrison, who served two terms in parliament, is currently competing to retain her seat against Arthur and NDC candidate Ernestina Ofori Dangbe.
Kwadwo Asante, the sitting MP for Suhum, pronounced his independent bid in September 2024 following his defeat in the NPP primaries by Frank Asiedu Bekoe. Asante currently faces rivalry from Asiedu Bekoe and the NDC's Prince Kwadwo Addo Tabiri.