For the second consecutive time, Samuel A. Jinapor, the Member of Parliament for the Damongo Constituency and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, is set to run unopposed as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate in the Damongo Constituency.
The nomination period closed on Monday, January 25, 2023, and Mr. Jinapor, the incumbent Member of Parliament, was the sole candidate to file his nomination in the constituency.
Traditionally held by the National Democratic Congress since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1993, the Damongo Constituency is one of the seven constituencies in the Savannah Region.
In the 2020 elections, Mr. Jinapor contested for the first time against the incumbent Member of Parliament, Adam Mutawakilu, who had held the seat since 2013. In a surprising turn of events, Mr. Jinapor secured victory, winning over fifty-four percent (54%) of the valid votes cast. This marked the first time an NPP candidate became the Member of Parliament for the constituency in the Fourth Republic.
Following his election, President Akufo-Addo appointed him as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, a position he has held till date.
On Wednesday, 20th December, 2023, the NPP opened nominations for Constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament. Across the country, several people have filed nominations to contest incumbent Members of Parliament, with some traditional leaders and other stakeholders coming out to call for the protection of certain MPs.
In the case of Mr. Jinapor, however, he did not need traditional leaders and party stalwarts to call for his protection. At the close of nomination on Monday, 25th December, 2023, Mr. Jinapor was the only candidate that filed to contest as the Parliamentary Candidate for the New Patriotic Party. This is a sign of confidence the NPP in the Damongo Constituency have in Mr. Jinapor to retain the seat for the NPP, despite the seat being traditionally held by the NDC.
After filing his nomination, Mr. Jinapor said he was humbled by the confidence reposed in him by the Party in the Constituency. He said the Damongo Constituency is a very strategic seat and crucial to breaking the eight. He pledged his commitment to work with the party and the Constituents to ensure that the NPP retains the seat in Parliament, and deliver victory for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Some of the Constituents who spoke to the media said they were highly satisfied with the work of Hon. Jinapor. They said never in the history of the Constituency has the Member of Parliament brought so much development in the Constituency and been that close to the people. They cited examples, such as, the construction of the Office of the Member of Parliament, which gives unfettered access to the MP by the constituents, the construction of astroturf in Damongo, the extension of electricity in various parts of the constituency, and several other infrastructural developments.
They expressed their confidence in Mr. Jinapor to retain the seat to continue with the developmental agenda of the Constituency. Some constituents who identified as members of the NDC said they were fully behind Mr. Jinapor, despite his political party, as the development he has brough to the Constituency is unprecedented.
The NPP primaries for the Members of Parliament is scheduled for Saturday, 27th January, 2023. According to the Party’s Constitution, where only one person files to contest at the close of nominations, the person shall be acclaimed on the day of the election. By this, Mr. Jinapor is the undisputed NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Damongo Constituency, and is set to once again, face Adam Mutawakilu, whom he defeated in the 2020 General Elections.