The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Achiase in the Eastern Region, Samuel Owusu Brako, has expressed confidence in his ability to win the Achiase parliamentary seat for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2028 general elections.
Mr Owusu Brako, who contested the 2024 parliamentary election on the ticket of the NDC, says he remains committed to the party’s ambition of breaking the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) longstanding hold on the constituency.
He, however, indicated that his return as the NDC’s parliamentary candidate would depend on the outcome of the party’s parliamentary primaries ahead of the 2028 elections.
Speaking in an interview with 1960news.com, the DCE said he would be willing to contest again if party delegates and constituents considers his performance in office satisfactory and elected him as the party’s parliamentary candidate.
According to him, his appointment as DCE provides an opportunity to strengthen his relationship with residents, demonstrate his leadership capabilities and contribute to the development of the constituency ahead of the next general elections.
Mr Owusu Brako disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama, before appointing him as DCE, had encouraged him to use the position to build stronger relationships with the people of Achiase and position himself for another parliamentary contest.
He explained that the President’s decision was partly influenced by his performance as the NDC’s parliamentary candidate in the 2024 elections.
“The truth is that prior to my appointment as District Chief Executive for Achiase, His Excellency the President, John Dramani Mahama, told me that, looking at my performance in the 2024 general elections as the parliamentary candidate for the NDC, he believed I should be given this appointment to work and build a good relationship with the people,” he said.
Mr Owusu Brako added that the President had tasked him with facilitating the implementation of development projects earmarked for the district and using the opportunity to consolidate the party’s support ahead of the 2028 elections.
He maintained that his ultimate objective remains securing the parliamentary seat for the NDC for the first time.
“If my work and achievements so far please the chiefs, residents, market women, taxi drivers and party members in Achiase, and they nominate or re-elect me as parliamentary candidate to contest in 2028, I don’t have a problem because I am here to serve and serve the people,” he stated.
Beyond his parliamentary ambitions, Mr Owusu Brako used the opportunity to highlight what he described as key development interventions undertaken by his administration since assuming office.
He said his administration has prioritised infrastructure development, particularly road improvement works, educational facilities and the provision of essential infrastructure to support public service delivery across the district.
Among the initiatives he highlighted is the launch of a district-wide road reshaping exercise aimed at improving road conditions, easing transportation challenges and enhancing access to communities.
He also cited the construction of educational blocks and bungalows as part of efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure and improve accommodation for personnel serving in the district.
The DCE further highlighted interventions targeting Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), including the provision of cash grants and essential items to support beneficiaries in establishing and expanding small-scale businesses.
He said the interventions are intended to promote economic independence, improve livelihoods and create opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate meaningfully in economic activities.
Mr Owusu Brako also emphasised his administration’s commitment to pursuing development without political discrimination, insisting that public services and development initiatives should benefit residents irrespective of their political affiliations.
He identified youth employment and community engagement as important areas of focus, noting that sustainable development would require the active involvement of residents and the creation of opportunities for young people to contribute to the district’s growth.
The Achiase constituency has traditionally been a stronghold of the NPP, which has maintained its hold on the parliamentary seat over successive general elections.
However, the 2024 parliamentary election produced a more competitive contest, with the NDC significantly narrowing the gap between the two leading candidates.
Mr Owusu Brako secured 10,156 votes, representing 45.68 per cent of the valid votes cast, while the incumbent NPP Member of Parliament, Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, polled 12,076 votes, representing 54.32 per cent.
The results left a margin of 1,920 votes between the two candidates, signalling a closer contest than the constituency’s traditional electoral pattern might have suggested.
For the NDC, the outcome offered an indication that the party could make further gains in the constituency if it consolidates its support and strengthens its grassroots structures ahead of the next elections.
Mr Owusu Brako believes the party can translate the progress made in 2024 into an electoral victory in 2028.
Reflecting on his campaign message during the 2024 general elections, he said he had consistently maintained that the NDC could win the Achiase seat through his candidature.
“If you have followed me keenly prior to the 2024 elections, you would have noticed that my message has been that through me, the NDC will win the Achiase seat for the first time. That mission and that stand I still go by,” he said.
He expressed optimism that, should the party give him another opportunity to lead its parliamentary campaign, he would secure victory for the NDC.
The DCE’s comments place his development record and political ambitions within the broader preparations for the 2028 general elections, as the NDC seeks to make further inroads into constituencies traditionally dominated by the opposition NPP.
By 1960news.com
