The Bantama constituency, located in the heart of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and a crucial seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is undergoing another competitive primary election ahead of the 2024 elections.
Lawyer Ralph Kwame Agyapong, brother of maverick politician Kennedy Oone Agyapong, also joined the campaign and announced his determination to oust Francis Asenso-Boakye, who is seeking re-election for a second term.
Bantama was one of the most populous constituencies in Ghana until 2004 when Nyaeso and Kwadaso constituencies were carved out of Bantama.
Dr. Richard Annan was a central figure at Bantama from 1992 to 2004. Dr Annan did not stand in his 1992 parliamentary election as the NPP withdrew from that election.
However, after winning the championship in 1996, he served as Bantama’s mainstay for two terms, from 1996 to 2000 and from 2000 to 2004, until moving to Nyaeso, which was cut out from Bantama along with Kwadaso.
Since 2004, Bantama has been a constituency where no member can serve for more than two terms.
Only Cecilia Abena Dapar served two terms, from 2004 to 2008 and from 2008 to 2012.
Apart from her and Dr. Annan, all other members of Congress have served only one term each in the past 11 years since 2012.
Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokov is the current Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and served one term from 2012 to 2016.
Kokov was unseated by Daniel Okiem Aboagye of Blessed Memories in 2016 and Francis Asenso Boakye also unseated Okiem Aboagye in 2020.
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Dr. Richard Annan – 1996-2000 and 2000-2004
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Cecilia Dapper – 2004 – 2008 and 2008 – 2012
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Henry Kokoff – 2012 – 2016
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Daniel Okiem Aboazi – 2016 – 2020
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Francis Asenso Boakye – 2020 – Current Member of Parliament
2024 campaign
Mr. Asenso Boakye is entering his second term, and it is here that another Bantama boy, Mr. Ralph Kwame Agyapong, will rise to prominence and embark on a competitive election campaign in earnest.
In the political world, Graphic Online has gathered that the move has Francis Asenso Boakye a little worried.
The newcomer noted that he would do things differently if given the opportunity, supported by his elder brother, Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, and Mr. Asenso Boakye, who is currently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff and Housing Secretary. I blame him when I have the chance. Although he is a minister, he has done little to improve the voters of Bantama.
Mr Asenso-Boakye has been showcasing what he has done for Bantama, including the new library commissioned by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo last Wednesday for his constituents.
It is no surprise that President Akufo-Addo joined the Bantama camp at the commissioning ceremony and appealed to voters to give Asenso-Boakye a second term for his hard work.
He said given the level of dedication and competency shown by Asenso Boakye when he was Chief of Staff and now as Minister of Labor and Housing, it would be a pain if Asenso Boakye was not retained. Ta.
“If I were abandoned by the people of Bantama, I would be very hurt.
Give him another chance to represent you and he will come and continue the good work he has done,” President Akufo-Addo said last Wednesday when he named the Bantama constituency. The remarks were made during the inauguration of a modern library and technology hub.
He emphasized that he was even happier because the project that bears his name was educational.
“Thank you for raising Asenso Boakye for me. He does things best,” the President added.
Also read: Supports Asenso Boakye’s re-appointment – President appeals to Bantama constituency
Watch Ralph Agyapong’s video interview on Angel FM in Kumasi. There he promoted what he was going to do and pointed out some deficiencies in Asenso Boakye’s leadership as Bantama MP.
Mr. Agyapong even criticized the location of the new library, saying it is located in a notorious area of Bantama known for contraband activities and hideouts that security personnel always move to when searching for notorious suspects. Ta.
He asked how children were expected to travel to the area to go and use the library. Angel FM interview.
He said it would have been better to renovate the popular Ashanti Library and Children’s Library, which are located on the grounds of the cultural center, as they are also in the Bantama constituency, instead.
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