Dr Ayensu-Danquah makes history at Essikado-Ketan

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has, for the first time, won the Essikado-Ketan seat, ending the New Patriotic Party's two-decade grip on the constituency.

The remarkable performance by the NDC’s candidate, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, a medical doctor and philanthropist, is the first for NDC.

The constituency

The constituency was formed prior to the 2004 December presidential and parliamentary elections by the division of the old Sekondi Constituency into the new Essikado-Ketan and Sekondi constituencies and has since been held by  Joe Ghartey until December 7, 2024.

Dr Ayensu-Danquah beat Charles Bissue of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to win the seat for the NDC in the last elections, bringing her closer to realising a promise President-elect John Dramani Mahama made to the people of the constituency during campaigning.

After showering praises on Dr Ayensu-Danquah for her remarkable brilliance, philanthropic work and human nature, then former President Mahama urged the constituents to vote her into Parliament for him to add her to his list of ministers or appointees in government.
 

Kojokrom

The now President-elect said during a campaign rally in Kojokrom that Dr Ayensu-Danquah had the appropriate personality, skills and competence to serve in his future government, and that the people needed to vote her into Parliament for him to fulfil his promise.

With the NDC manifesto promising to give at least 30 per cent of ministerial and other appointments to women, President-elect Mahama said it was easier to see Dr Ayensu-Danquah, an accomplished woman, serving in his government should she win the seat.

In an apparent response, the constituents voted massively for the humanitarian surgeon and educationist at this year's polls. She polled 26,166 votes against Mr Bissue's 17,754 votes to open a more than 8,000 vote difference. 
 

Wide spread

Dr Ayensu-Danquah's win added to similar upsets that the NDC made across the country, resulting in the widest parliamentary majority in over two decades and giving President-elect Mahama the needed comfort to undertake reforms.

Beyond the unprecedented win for Dr Ayensu-Danquah, analysts say the win has brought her closer to being included in President-elect Mahama's government that will have the herculean task of resetting the country from eight years of mismanagement in almost all sectors.

As a medical practitioner and philanthropist, the MP-elect's long standing experience of working in the United States of America and Ghana could come in handy in key sectors, including in health, gender and children affairs and social protection where extreme competence and expertise will be needed to implement the NDC's manifesto proposals to bring quick relief to the citizens.

Constituents of Essikado-Ketan are also eager to see how President-elect Mahama redeems his promise to them as he inches closer to setting up his administration after the January 7, 2025 inauguration.