Several high-profile ministers and incumbents in Ghana have lost their parliamentary seats in the recent election, signaling a shift in political power.
Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who had held the Ablekuma West seat since 2012, was defeated by Reverend Kweku Addo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Owusu-Ekuful received 26,575 votes, while Addo triumphed with 31,866 votes.
The result was confirmed by the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC), with a total of 58,441 valid votes cast.
Tourism Minister Andrew Egyapa Mercer, a key member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), also lost his seat in Sekondi to Blay Nyameke Armah of the NDC.
Mercer, who had represented Sekondi since 2016, secured 11,084 votes, while Armah won with 14,558 votes. Armah, in his victory speech, expressed his gratitude to his supporters, promising to work towards rebuilding the constituency.
Interior Minister Henry Quartey faced defeat in the Ayawaso Central constituency, losing to Abdul Rauf Tubazu of the NDC.
Quartey garnered 23,345 votes, while Tubazu secured 29,755 votes. Tubazu, in his statement, assured voters of his commitment to work for the people’s benefit.
In a surprising turn of events, independent candidate Ohene Kwame Frimpong emerged victorious in the Asante Akim North constituency.
Frimpong secured over 18,000 votes, beating the incumbent NPP candidate Andy Appiah Kubi, who received just 8,933 votes.
The election process saw some challenges, including power outages at two collation centers—Ayawaso North and Madina—leading to delays and heightened tension among supporters.
The Electoral Commission assured that efforts were being made to restore power to the affected centers.
Additionally, there were incidents of electoral misconduct, with one person arrested in the Western region for double voting at the Wassa Akropong-Appiahkrom polling station.
In Okaikwei South, another individual was detained for carrying a weapon at the St. Theresa school polling station.
The EC also confirmed the arrest of an official in the Bono East region.
