Undoubtedly, bookmakers are watching with keen interest of the two horse race between key contestants, Charles Cromwell Onuawonto Bissue, a former presidential staffer (NPP) and Dr Grace Ayensu Danquah, a medical practitioner, (NDC), who have hit the canvass, garnering supports from party faithful and floating voters in the constitu­ency.

• Mr Charles Cromwell Onuawonto Bissue (NPP) at a rally grounds in Essikado

Long before the bell tolled for 2024, the duo had dug trenches, marshalling all resources and criss -crossing rugged terrains from Eshiem through Mpintsin, Sofokrom, Ngyiresia and Ahan­ta-Abassa, to win vital Essikado votes.

There have been reports about ‘struggles’ over billboards and ‘fights’ over projects including the regrading of the Mpintsim -Eshiem road, which over the years had been a challenge for the fringed communities.

Just this weekend, there have been counter -accusations from the two camps over the destruc­tion of billboards and posters of candidates.

Undoubtedly, the political tem­perature at Essikado-Ketan con­stituency, which is an NPP seat, is rising at a frightening rate.

Mr Bissue in an interview with the Ghanaian Times, noted that, Ghana’s politics was evolving and to navigate the Essikado-Ketan space, required experience and team work “to break the eight.”

He explained that, NPP had resorted to persuasive campaigns to win the trust of the people, arguing that, “the NPP is the po­litical party they can trust to trans­form Ghana and better lives.”

The NPP 2024 manifesto, Mr Bissue said was resonating with the people and was optimistic that the party would be victorious on December 7.

“Without being complacent, there is every indication that Dr Bawumia and I are winning the Essikado-Ketan constituency. We are winning convincingly,” he stressed.

The NPP candidate mentioned challenges in Essikado -Ketanto include roads, water, employment, housing and infrastructure issue, but believed those presented opportunities that required critical thinking, innovation and leader­ship.

Mr Bissue continued that, “Inclusiveness and sustainable development are the bedrock of my agenda. The contest is more of a test of my commitment to my people. I feel more obliged to contribute to the development of Essikado-Ketan. There is every reason to be hopeful of victory.”

Dr Ayensu, on her part in an interview with journalists, spoke about her commitment to the constituency’s development, reit­erating that, “the need to restore and bring joy to the people.”

The NDC, she argued, had the track record of delivering on development projects and rallied the constituency to express their disappointment by voting for change, adding that, “If I also fail to deliver on my promises, I should be changed.”