The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Ernest Yaw Annim has won the Kumawu by-election with over 70 per cent of the valid votes cast.
The votes collated by the Electoral Commission (EC) and declared Wednesday night has Ernest Yaw Annim winning with 15,264 votes which represented 70.91 percent.
The NDC candidate Kwasi Amankwaa had 3,723 votes representing 17.29 percent.
The two independent candidates, Kwaku Duah with a bird as his symbol had 2,478 votes representing 11.51 percent while the other Kwaku Duah with a hoe as his symbol had 62 votes representing 0.29 percent of the valid votes cast.
History
Per historical antecedents, the NPP was more concerned with the candidature of the Independent candidate, Kwaku Duah, who nearly caused an upset for the party in the 2020 elections.
The former DCE fell out with the party, and went independent in the last parliamentary election, coming second with 11,698 votes, representing 39.96 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The NPP’s candidate then, the late Philip Basoah, polled 14,960, representing 51.11 per cent.
The then NDC candidate, Bernard Opoku Marfo, came third by polling 2,439 votes, representing 8.33 per cent, while Nana Amoako of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) polled 174 votes, representing 0.59 per cent.
In the presidential race, President Akufo-Addo won with 23,502, representing 80.69 per cent of the valid votes cast, as against the NDC’s John Mahama’s 5,325, representing 18.28 per cent of valid votes cast.
In 1996, NPP polled 15,025 votes representing 49.60%, whilst NDC garnered 9,354 votes, representing 30.90%. In 2000, NPP recorded 13,554 (57.80%) and the NDC obtained 6,057 (25.80%). In 2004, NPP garnered 19,223(70.00%) as against NDC’s 5,680 votes (20.70%)
In 2008, NPP had 15,217, representing 56.38%, whilst the NDC polled 7,120 (26.39%). In 2012, NPP secured 18,858 votes, representing (68.96%), whilst the NDC got 4,142 (15.15%). The 2016 election saw NPP polling 21,794 (78.17%) and 5,899 votes for the NDC representing 21.16%.
In 2020, NPP garnered 14,960 votes (51.11%), and the NDC got 2,439 (8.33%) with Independent Candidate polling 11,698, votes representing 39.96%.
Election
Yesterday’s by-election came on the backdrop of the unfortunate passing of the MP, Philip Basoah, on March 27, 2023 and the need to fill the vacant parliamentary seat.
Reports indicate security was beefed up across the constituency to ensure law and order during the voting process. The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with other stakeholders, deployed adequate number of personnel to ensure the safety and security of voters, election officials, and the general public.
All political parties contesting in the by-election, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and independent candidates, had actively campaigned over the past weeks, outlining their respective vision for the constituency’s development.
According to reports, election officials worked diligently to ensure a smooth and efficient voting process. They exhibited high commitment to upholding transparency, integrity and fairness throughout the by-election.
Yaw Anim
The MP-elect, Mr Yaw Anim, was a senior Accountant at Vanguard Properties Development, Ghana. He held several positions at Vanguard, including Financial Controller, managing an annual budget of over $4million on four different projects. He also ensured compliance with all regulatory frameworks companies code and taxation.
Before joining Vanguard, he was Account Officer at Millennium Development Authority Ghana. He has also worked as Assistant Manager, Tax Services, for Nobisfields.
Mr Anim was a graduate assistant at Ohio University’s Economics Department, and holds a Masters of Financial Economics, Professional Certificate in Accounting from Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Coast.
He is a member of the ACCA.
