Residents of Afram Plains North have expressed frustration over decades of neglect by successive governments, with key issues such as road infrastructure and lack of development likely to influence their voting decisions in the upcoming 2024 elections.
First-time voters, in particular, are wary of broken promises from political parties and their flagbearers, hoping for genuine change.
Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku, reporting from the constituency for Channel One News, highlighted a growing sentiment among residents that could lead to “skirt and blouse” voting, a split vote between presidential and parliamentary candidates.
Accessing Donkorkrom, the district capital, remains difficult, with travelers enduring hours of bumpy, pothole-ridden roads after crossing the Volta Lake.
Despite Afram Plains North being a key agricultural hub, farmers, traders, and drivers face immense challenges transporting affordable food to market centers, leading to skyrocketing food prices and further frustration.
Historically, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has held Afram Plains North as a stronghold, consistently securing its parliamentary seat.
However, dissatisfaction with unmet infrastructure needs could alter the electoral outcome in this year’s polls. In the 2016 elections, NDC’s John Mahama won 79.2% of the presidential vote, while in 2020, Mahama garnered 79.5% against NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo’s 18.85%. In the 2020 parliamentary race, Betty Mensah Krosby of the NDC won 67.82% of the votes, retaining her seat for a second term.
This year, Krosby seeks a third term in Parliament, but faces strong opposition from the NPP’s Asiamah Anim, Agbakpe Hillary of the NDP, and independent candidate Kpeli Worlase.
Worlase, an NDC member who was disqualified during the party’s primaries, remains a significant threat to Krosby. Despite pleas from NDC leadership to rescind his decision, Worlase has opted to run as an independent, adding complexity to the race.
For NPP supporters in Afram Plains, this is seen as a crucial opportunity to secure the seat. A visit to Amankwa Tornu, another hard-to-reach area, revealed that first-time voters are anxious about the possibility of disappointed hopes due to unfulfilled promises.
