The Sekyere Afram Plains constituency has been one of the safe seats for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti region since its creation in 2010.
For three consecutive times, the seat has been won by Dr. Alex Adomako-Mensah, a brother of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.
But the MP faced a stiff opposition from his nephew, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor Jnr. and two other candidates in the just ended NDC primaries.
Interestingly, both were defeated by a not-so-popular business woman, Nasira Afrah.
The Sekyere Afram Plains constituency was carved out of the Sekyere Kumawa Constituency in 2010.
Since its first general election in 2012, the Duffuor family, led by Dr. Alex Adomako-Mensah has wielded power in the constituency.
Their contributions to the creation of the constituency which was nearly cut off from the regional capital Kumasi, cannot be underwritten.
It is not surprising that when incumbent MP Dr. Alex Adomako-Mensah touts his achievements, he claims that he made the district capital, Drobonso.
“People will testify it, I have done a lot. Just look at Drobonso, go to the interior and see what I have done. In my first four years when my party was in power, I did a lot. The schools and assembly offices I have established,” he peddled.
Coming into the NDC presidential and parliamentary primaries, many had thought it was another win for the family until Dr. Adomako-Mensah allegedly broke his allegiance to the family by not supporting his cousin, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor’s bid to lead the NDC.
This consequently saw his nephew, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor Junior readying himself to unseat him.
“I came to support my son. My son will win. He will win hands down,” Dr. Duffuor said confidently as his son battled his cousin.
The family feud many believe severed the camp of the Duffuors.
“I am overwhelmed. I don’t even know what to say. This is the will of Allah,” Hajia Nasira Afrah, newly elected NDC Parliamentary candidate, said.
Almost written off, Hajia Nasira Afrah – a business woman and resident of Drobonso – took the family by surprise, defeating Dr. Kwabena Adomako-Mensah and his nephew.
A defeat that has taken Ghanaians aback as she ends the 12-year-reign of the family in the area.
Despite the ostensible upset left with some delegates, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor Junior managed 203 votes, eight-votes difference behind the winner.
For a section of the delegates, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor’s absence in the constituency let down their hopes in him.
“The signals he has showed us doesn’t prove that he can help us. You have your constituency you never step foot here and never visited your branch executives. How are you going to lead us? We want someone to be like us in Sekyere Afram Plains. We are farmers. This means that when we vote for him he won’t be visiting us in the next four years,” the NDC Sekyere Afram Plains Constituency Secretary said.
For other constituents, underdevelopment in the area was reason enough to bring a new face.
“Adomako hasn’t done anything for us for 12 years now. Villages around us are underdeveloped,” a delegate frustratedly said.
Another resident added: “He has helped us but they weren’t enough. Our secondary school hasn’t been commissioned. See, our road is deplorable”.
Majority of the constituents and delegates are certain of development in the constituency as they tout Nasira’s affability and hardwork.
“Afrah is humble. She has done a lot for us. She is hardworking. We are glad she has been elected. I am hoping she’d provide support for teenage mothers and single parents here,” a female resident happily said.
The talk in town has however been whether the family would reclaim its place in the constituency or it is an end for the Duffuor family?
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