“You Got It Right This Time”-Bigbrain Grama Tells NDC In Bibiani Anwhiaso Bekwai
THE AUTOPSY
I think the NDC in my beloved Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Constituency got it right this time, a decision they failed to make in 2016. Bringing back Bright Asamoah Brefo as their parliamentary candidate for election 2024 is both politically and statistically justified. Although I thought one of the youth (Lawyer Stephen Bennieh or Kwame Obeng Adjinah [Royal]) was going to win, the NDC rather opted for an experienced candidate. The NDC have learnt their lessons, that the youth have consistently performed abysmally; Moses Kofi Armah and Stephen Donkor in 2016 and 2020 respectively.
After the exit of Seidu Paakuna Adamu in 2008, having been ousted by Hon. Christopher Addae; Bright Asamoah Brefo had the best losing margin in 2012 (with some 2,076 votes) against NPP’s Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu; note that they were both fresh candidates. Some of us still remember how people tried so hard to twist this results deep in the midnight, because it was quite close. As a party in power, and with some exposures plus resources, the wisest thing NDC could have done at that time was to bring back Asamoah Brefo to face Aboagye Gyedu in 2016 again, but they opted for Moses Kofi Armah instead, then Stephen Donkor in 2020.
As a District Chief Executive (D.C.E) Moses Armah performed exceptionally well ( notably, at Bibiani Government Hospital), he was admired by many, which made party faithfuls call for him as parliamentary candidate in 2012, but he wasn’t elected as such; so the party chose him in 2016, at a time that the harm had already been caused.
What makes performances of these youth candidates so appalling, is the fact that even though the number of voters increase in almost every election because of new registrants; Moses Armah (29,901 votes in 2016) and Stephen Donkor (28, 309 votes in 2020), still got lesser votes than Asamoah Brefo’s (29,940 votes in 2012) both in nominal figures and percentage. Available records confirms that NDC’s numbers are going down. This actually affirms the reason why neither of their youth was voted for.
Alfred Obeng Boateng (Approachers’) strongest weapon in 2020 was the youth and women; with some casual employment, and some capital. Even before winning the primaries in 2020, Approachers was popular than the sitting MP who doubled as Regional Minister. That’s why some of us thought the NDC would go for a vibrant younger candidate, who can appeal to the youth better, and compete strongly with Alfred; whose popularity is unstoppably dwindling, due to internal and traditional wranglings.
Juxtaposing his performance in 2012 as a first timer, going off for about 12yrs, establishing some business(es) in Bibiani; with full support from his Constituents, Regional/National party and fellow contestants; as against the never-ending internal NPP brouhaha; Bright Asamoah Brefo could make some inroads this time, and give Approachers a stiffer opposition in 2024; Stephen Donkor poorly performed in 2020: made the contest so unattractive and boring.
Regardless, Brefo must try to unify the party, and possibly bring on board his fellow contestants, both of them pulling a combined votes of 814 as to Bright’s 824 votes show how impactful they could be in the party’s campaign; getting almost half of valid votes isn’t a joke; especially “Royal”. His nickname became a household name in Bibiani in short time, and I learnt he is a bit resourceful as well; monetarily. Lawyer Stephen Bennieh’s exposure to national television and radio political programs (UTV’s late evening news and Peace Fm’s “The Platform”), has merited him with some excellent communication skills, which could be utilised by his party at the constituency level.
Frankly, I was quite surprised with the outcome of this NDC primaries, but I admit that the NDC made a right choice, base on available facts and figures.
As for winning back the BABC parliamentary seat, they know it’s never going to happen. I just want the contest to be as anxious as it used to be.
My thoughts though, we live to learn.
Kwadwo Nyamekye Bigbrain
Grandma’s Grave.
