Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirant for Akuapem South, Eric Samuel Annor-Mensah, has dismissed claims by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Akuapem South, Hon. Paul Osae Offei, that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is on course to retain the constituency in the next general election.
According to him, the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 parliamentary election was primarily the result of internal disunity rather than a rejection of the party by the electorate.
He insisted that the constituency remains a natural stronghold of the NPP and expressed confidence that the party will reclaim the seat in the 2028 general elections.
Reacting to recent comments by the Akuapem South MCE, who claimed that the people have entrusted the NDC with leadership and that the party’s performance would translate into votes in the next election cycle, Annor-Mensah argued that the seat was merely “loaned” to the NDC to allow residents to compare the development records of the two major political parties.
“We only loaned the Akuapem South seat to the NDC. The circumstances that led to our defeat in 2024 were largely due to disunity within our ranks. Today, the party is more united, focused, and determined than ever before. Come 2028, the NPP will win back the seat with a convincing margin,” he stated.
Mr. Annor-Mensah argued that the NDC has failed to justify the confidence reposed in it by voters after securing the parliamentary seat for the first time in the constituency’s history.
He maintained that despite repeated claims by government officials about ongoing development projects, residents have seen little evidence of significant progress that would warrant renewing the NDC’s mandate.
“The people voted for change because they were made to believe that things would be different under the NDC. Unfortunately, after winning both the parliamentary seat and the presidency, they have very little to show in terms of development and improvement in the lives of the people,” he said.
The former parliamentary aspirant further alleged that the NDC’s victory in the 2024 elections was achieved through promises that are yet to be fulfilled.
“The NDC won the election on the back of promises and what many people now see as deception. The expectations of the people were very high, but many of those expectations remain unmet. The people are beginning to realise that the promises made during the campaign are different from the realities they are experiencing today,” he asserted.
Mr. Annor-Mensah was particularly critical of comments by the Akuapem South MCE touting the performance of the government and local administration, describing them as disconnected from realities on the ground.
He challenged Hon. Paul Osae Offei to focus less on self-praise and more on addressing the pressing concerns confronting residents across the municipality.
“The MCE should stop the rhetoric and concentrate on solving the problems facing the people. It is easy to praise yourself and claim you are performing, but the people are asking for tangible results.
They want to see improved roads, jobs, better social services, and solutions to the many challenges confronting their communities,” he said.
According to him, many residents remain dissatisfied with the pace of development under the current administration and are eager to see a return of NPP leadership in the constituency.
Mr. Annor-Mensah also expressed optimism about the NPP’s prospects ahead of its next parliamentary primaries, stressing that the outcome of the contest would not affect the party’s chances in the general election.
“Whether I am elected as the parliamentary candidate or another competent person is chosen by the delegates, the most important thing is that the NPP remains united. Once we maintain our unity, the seat will return to the NPP,” he said.
He called on party members to put aside their differences and work collectively toward reclaiming the constituency, describing Akuapem South as one of the party’s traditional strongholds.
“The lesson from 2024 is clear. When we are united, we win. When we are divided, we make it easier for our opponents. I believe the party has learned that lesson, and that is why I am confident that Akuapem South will return to the NPP in 2028,” he added.
His comments come in response to recent remarks by Hon. Paul Osae Offei, who expressed confidence that the NDC would retain the seat based on what he described as unprecedented development projects and positive feedback from residents.
However, Mr. Annor-Mensah insists that the electorate will ultimately judge the NDC on its performance and that, based on current realities, the ruling party has not done enough to convince voters to grant it another term in office.
“The people of Akuapem South are discerning. They know what development looks like, and they know when promises have been fulfilled. In 2028, they will make their verdict known, and I am confident that verdict will favour the NPP,” he maintained.
By 1960news.com
