2024 Constituency Watch Series: Focus on Okere Constituency in the Eastern Region

By Berima Owusu ~ Akuapem North

Okere Constituency, located in the Eastern Region of Ghana, is a unique and vibrant constituency with a rich history and cultural heritage. Some of the major towns in this constituency are Adukrom, Abiriw, Awukukwa, and Asenema, among others. The Okere people, although part of the Akuapem traditional area, are predominantly Guans, a distinct ethnic group with their language and customs. Okere Constituency is situated in the Akwapim Mountains, covering an area of approximately 550 square kilometers. The constituency is known for its lush forests, rolling hills, and scenic beauty.

Mr. Berima Owusu

The traditional setting of Okere is characterized by a strong cultural identity, with the Akuapem Nifa Manhene serving as the Supervising chief of the Constituency. Okere Constituency has a population of approximately 70,000 people, with the main economic activities being agriculture. The constituency is known for its scenic mountainous beauty, which attracts thousands of tourists, making it an important contributor to Ghana's economy.

Okere Constituency has a long history of political engagement, dating back to the 1970s. In 2018, the constituency was demarcated from the larger Akuapem North Municipal, becoming a separate district with its capital at Adukrom. The constituency used to be part of the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly. Since 1992, Okere Constituency has been a stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), with the party having won six(6) consecutive parliamentary and presidential elections since 2000 till date. The NDC, on the other hand, had won two out of the eight successful elections in the Constituency.

In the 1992 Presidential Elections, Jerry John Rawlings of the NDC polled 9,230 representing 54.14% as against Prof. Adu Boahene of the NPP who polled 44.21% of the total vote. However, the NPP polled out of the presidential race at the 11th hour before the elections 

In the 1996 Presidential Elections, John Rawlings of the NDC managed 9.230 representing 54.14% against John Agyekum Kufour of the NPP 7,538 representing 44.21% 

In the 1996 Parliamentary Elections, Fuzzy Dapaah Torbay of the NDC secured 9,252 representing 43.6% against the NPP Joe Mantey's 1,450 representing 6.8%

The 2000 Presidential Elections saw the NPP coming back stringer. The elections were called for a run-off between the NDC and the NPP. In the second round, John Agyekum Kufour of the NPP polled 8,115 representing 55.1% as against the NDCs H.E John Evans Atta Mills who managed 6,620 representing 42.79%

2000 Parliamentary Elections saw Branford K. Adu of the NPP winning the seat for the first time with 7,322 representing 47.30%. Fuzzy Dapaah Torbay of the NDC lost the election after polling 7,413 representing 47.20%

The 2004 Presidential Elections saw John Agyekum Kufour's NPP polling 11,757 representing 65.36% of the total votes against John Evans Atta Mills of the NDC who managed 6,140 representing 34.13%

In the Parliamentary Elections, Branford K. Adu retained the seat for the NPP securing 10,902 representing- 59.20%. The NDC presented a new candidate in the person of Gloria Adu Nartey who obtained 6,867 representing 37.39%

The 2008 Presidential Elections were fiercely contested between the NPP and the NDC. In the second round of the presidential elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the NPP managed 12,019 representing 60.99% against John Evans Atta Mills of the NDC 7,208 representing 46.4%

In the Parliamentary Elections, Daniel Botwe of the NPP won the seat for the first time polling 11,974 representing 60.83% against the NDC Daniel Opare Addo who polled 6,729 representing 34.19%

The 2012 Presidential Elections saw the NPP Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo securing 15,050 representing 60.40% against President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC who managed 9,608 representing 38.56%

In the 2012 Parliamentary Elections, Daniel Botwe of the NPP polled 15,165 representing 60.16%. The NDC candidate, George Opare Addo managed 9,680 representing 38.40%.

In the 2016 Presidential Elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the NPP managed 15,515 of the total votes representing 67.78% against the NDC, John Dramani Mahama who secured 7,191 representing 31.41%

Daniel Botwe won the Parliamentary Elections securing 16,235 of the votes representing 70.78%. The NDC presented a new parliamentary candidate in the person of Micheal Ofor Ofei who managed 6,410 representing 27.95%

In the 2020 Presidential Elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the NPP won with 16,242 representing 67% against the NDC John Dramani Mahama who got 7,813 of the total votes representing 32.23%

The 2020 Parliamentary Elections saw Dan Kwaku Botwe of the NPP retaining the seat for the 4th time with 17,217 representing 70.04%. The NDC presented a new Parliamentary candidate in the person of John Evans Ayerakwa Kumodzi who managed 7,365 of the votes representing 29.96%,

As the 2024 elections approach, Okere Constituency is expected to remain a stronghold of the NPP. However, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is expected to put up a strong challenge with their candidate, Prince Henry Anim, gaining momentum among the youth and grassroots supporters.

In the presidential race, the NPP's Mahamudu Bawumia is likely to maintain his lead in Okere Constituency but the NDC's John Dramani Mahama is expected to narrow the gap, given his party's renewed focus on the constituency and the current economic conditions.

In conclusion, Okere Constituency remains a critical constituency to watch in the 2024 elections with both parties poised to fiercely contest the parliamentary and presidential seats. The outcome will depend on various factors including the candidates' campaign strategies, voter turnout, and the political landscape of the constituency.

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OBsolutuons ~ Comm Director, NDC Akropong Constituency