The Chairman of the Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress in South Africa, Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie has indicated that the results from the Assin North by-election cast a slur on Nana Akufo-Addo and Bawumia’s government.
According to him, the results show that most Ghanaians are disgruntled and unsatisfied with the performance of the New Patriotic Party administration.
“Note that this is a swing constituency, not like Kumawu, and the NPP cannot win. Not surprised at all about the NDC’s win because things are not too good in the country. We knew we were going to win”, he stated.
NDC’s Gyakye Quayson garnered 17,245 of the total valid votes cast representing 57.56 percent during Tuesday’s keenly contested by-election.
His closest challenger, Charles Opoku of the NPP managed 12,630 votes representing 42.15 percent of the total votes cast, whilst Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) managed a paltry 87 votes (0.29%)
In a telephone conversation on GBC Radio Central Special Morning Show edition on Wednesday, 28th June, 2023, seeking his views on the Assin North By-elections, he observed that “Vigilance and hard work on the part of the NDC ensured their winning”..
Mr. Kofi Quashie opined, “The NPP is known for political manipulations but, our vigilance ensured that such manipulations were curtailed to ensure that the people’s mandate was declared as expected”.
When asked whether it was only vigilance that ensured their win or that the constituents of Assin North just like the NDC candidate, he noted that “The two played a very crucial role and they are intertwined. Our vigilance was also good; then the message Gyakye Quayson brought and that of the NDC were very clear on development and also we wanted this to be an assessment on Nana Akufo-Addo and Bawumia’s government”.
The NDC SA Council Chair admitted that the outcome of the Assin North By-elections is a feather in the cap of Ghana’s democratic experiment. “As for democratic governance, this is how things are supposed to go.
“If people would remember, this isn’t what happened during the Ayawasu West Wuogon by-elections. But, because this time around with the extra vigilance and the fact that the elections cannot be rigged coupled with the general hardships, the results ought to be what it is”, he affirmed.
He further indicated that the results from Assin North By-elections has sent shivers down the spine of the NPP government.
“I think they would have a meeting today at the Jubilee House to appreciate that Ghanaians are tired and Assin North has indicated what would happen in 2024”, Mr. Quashie averred.
In ending his conversation with GBC Radio Central, Mr. Kofi Quashie praised President John Mahama for taking time off his busy schedule to campaign for the NDC candidate.
He also thanked the Police Service, especially Dr. George Akuffo Dampare for the professionalism he and his team exhibited during the elections in ensuring everything went well.
“Mr. Quayson is the most humbled person I’ve ever seen and God has vindicated him again. He should not be complacent and continue to be the Gyakye Quayson he has always been. He should continue with his good works. I thank all the MPs who served as polling station agents and all other party members who made sure we won”.