The current Member of Parliament for Suhum Constituency and an NPP incumbent, Kwadwo Asante, has revealed that he will be running as an independent candidate in the December 7, 2024 general election.
Known by his supporters as Boafo, Mr Asante’s decision comes after he lost the NPP parliamentary primary in January 2024 to Frank Asiedu Bekoe, also known as Protozoa, by a margin of 179 votes.
Bekoe received 496 votes, while Asante garnered 320 votes, securing Bekoe’s position as the NPP’s candidate for Suhum.
Despite this setback, Asante’s supporters have been advocating for his independent candidacy, arguing that he remains the preferred choice among local voters. Over the weekend, during a Health Walk at the Suhum Amponsah Market, Asante officially announced his intention to run independently, motivated by the strong support he received from his constituents and the enthusiastic turnout at the event.
Sources within the NPP indicate that senior party members, including Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Bryan Acheampong, tried to convince Asante to withdraw his independent bid. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, leading to unexpected developments for the NPP in Suhum.
Asante, who previously defeated Fredrick Opare Ansah in the 2020 NPP primary with 394 votes to Ansah’s 272, remains determined to continue his political journey. He has launched his independent campaign with new promotional materials featuring the slogan “Oboafo Toaso” (Oboafo Continue), underscoring his commitment to ongoing development in Suhum.
The Suhum Constituency has a history of political tensions and violence, with past conflicts between rival factions dating back to the 2008 elections. Despite these challenges, Asante insists that his plans for the constituency should not be interrupted and remains focused on his independent run.