Ahead of the crucial 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) instituted an agenda to sweep all the 15 parliamentary seats in the Upper East Region.

The move dubbed: “Agenda 15/15” was a political strategy put in place by the party leadership in the region to snatch the parliamentary seat in  Binduri, which was the only seat occupied by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In the 2020 elections, although the NDC’s Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama, won the presidential election in Binduri, the party’s parliamentary candidate lost the seat to the NPP.

In the last election, Abdulai Abanga of the NPP won the seat with 15,016 while Robert Baba Kuganab-Lem of the NDC had 14,562 votes. A third contender and an independent candidate, Ayeeda John Ayebilla polled 999 votes.

Out of the 15 parliamentary seats, the NDC held seats in Pusiga, Bawku Central, Garu, Tempane, Zebilla, Nabdam, Bolgatanga East, Bolgatanga Central, Talensi and Bongo. The rest were Navrongo Central, Chiana-Paga, Builsa North and Builsa South.
 

2024 elections

Political watchers were of the view that the NDC’s ambition to win all the parliamentary seats was unattainable since the ruling NPP was tipped to snatch more seats.

They were of the opinion that with hard work, the NPP was capable of winning the seats in Pusiga, Binduri, Tempane, Zebilla, Talensi and Navrongo Central constituencies. However, after the polls, the NPP failed to snatch any of the seats held by the NDC and also lost the only seat it held as well.

Similarly, in the presidential election, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia secured 106,700 while John Dramani Mahama who won in all the 15 constituencies polled 361,597 of the total valid votes cast.

Out of more than 30 parliamentary aspirants who contested in the parliamentary election in the region, only four were women.

Two of the female aspirants who are incumbent MPs, namely Lardi Ayii Ayamba, and Akanvariba Lydia Lamisi Adakudugu, MPs for Pusiga and Tempane, won their seats.

Unfortunately, two others who stood on the ticket of the NPP, including Georgina Azumah and Diana Aburiya in the Garu and Bongo constituencies were unsuccessful. 

Outcome

In Bolgatanga Central, incumbent MP, Isaac Adongo, retained his seat with 35,101 votes while his challenger, Elvis Atia Awonekai of the NPP had 15,470 votes. Peter A. Akunlibe of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) had 404 votes.

In Bolgatanga East, Dr Dominic Akurintinga Ayine of the NDC had 12,002 votes to beat Matthew Silas Amoah of the NPP who had 7,414 votes while Edwin Atiah managed 61 votes.

In the Garu constituency, Thomas Anabah of the NDC had 17,832 votes to beat his only contender, Georgina Azumah who had 7,936 votes. In Bawku Central, incumbent MP, Mahama Ayariga retained the seat with 25,350 votes while his main challenger, Paul Alale Abogire of the NPP had 3,855 votes.

In Binduri, the incumbent NPP member, Abdulai Abanga, lost his seat to Issifu Mahmood who had 21,943 as against 7,811 secured by Mr Abanga.

The incumbent MP for Builsa South, Clement Apaak of the NDC had 8,974 votes to defeat Daniel Gariba of the NPP who had 5,062 votes. In Navrongo Central, NDC’s Simon Aworigo Akibange, had 26,190 votes to beat Otito Achuliwor of the NPP who had 12,203 votes.

In Nabdam constituency, incumbent MP, Mark Kurt Nawaane, had 11,192 votes to retain his seat. His main opponent, Charles Ndanbon of the NPP, had 6,680 votes. In the Builsa North constituency, James Agalga had 13,344 votes to beat Thomas Kofi Alonsi of the NPP who had 10,157 votes while Joseph Ransford Asuok of the PNC got 146 votes.

In the Bongo constituency, Charles Bawaduah was elected the new MP for the area with 30,114 votes as against 9,528 polled by his only opponent, Diana Aburiya of the NPP. Incumbent MP for Pusiga, Lardi Ayii Ayamba had 19,557 to beat Hanan Abdul-Wahab of the NPP who had 15,798 while Anaba Simon Paul, All Peoples Congress, had 338 votes.

For the Tempane constituency, the attempt by a former Deputy Attorney-General, Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, to stage a comeback was unsuccessful. He polled 13,351 votes against 19,378 votes secured by the incumbent NDC MP, Akanvariba Lydia Alamisi Adakudugu.

The Chiana Paga constituency was also retained by the NDC after its candidate, Nikyema Billa Alamzy Aziz had 22,548 while Robert Apechira Aloo of the NPP polled 12,884 votes. In the Talensi constituency, Daniel Dung Mahama of the NDC emerged winner with 22,575 votes against 8,787 secured by Alibo Robert Ayinenaba of the NPP while Michael Wombeogo of the PNC had 1,497 votes.

In the Zebilla constituency, Ebenezer Alumire Ndebilla of the NDC had 33,657 votes to beat his main contender, John Kingsley Krugu of the NPP who had 12,879 votes while Patience Akparipoka N. secured 1,413 votes.

Reaction

Some residents who spoke to the  Daily Graphic in an interview after the declaration of the final results, urged the next NDC administration to reciprocate their overwhelming endorsement by working to improve the region.