A 73-year-old JHS teacher in Nima, Ransford Nana, on March 3, 2026, prevented four of his children from participating in the Ayawaso East by-election, citing disappointment over what he described as a lack of appreciation from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to him, he has supported the party for more than 30 years but has never received any form of benefit or recognition.

He claimed that while others continue to enjoy rewards from the party, he has gained nothing despite consistently voting for the NDC.

Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb journalist Amos Manteaw during the by-election, Nana disclosed that he had decided to abstain from voting in the constituency until he personally benefits from a candidate.

When questioned about whether he was attempting to sell his vote, he rejected the claim.

He explained that, as a teacher, he understands his civic rights and is not selling his vote but rather seeking what he described as a “beneficial interest” in exchange for his long-standing loyalty.

“I have a big problem. I joined the NDC in 1979 and my friend, let me tell you, I have not got anything. Even T-shirts, sometimes I have to struggle. That assemblyman over there, Willie, sometimes gives me T-shirts. People are enjoying,but I’m not enjoying.

“Every day, I join the line, go and vote, join the line, go and vote. But I said this time, this particular day, as I’m talking to you, I will never vote. I have told my four children, they are all NDC members to stay in the house and wait for my instruction.

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“If they don’t listen, there will be trouble in the house. Why should I keep voting for people and not benefit from anything? Someone who just joined the NDC gets a lot of things but I get nothing. I can’t do that, “he lamented.

The 73-year teacher added, “Today, unless something changes, I will never vote for anybody. I will keep my voter card and nobody will convince me otherwise.

“I’m not taking money. I’m a teacher; I know my right from my left. But a hungry man is a hungry man. I’m hungry and you’re telling me to go and join the line and vote. I will never. You have to understand me.

“I’m not taking money, but if you give me something from your own heart, I will accept it. Baba Jamal is on my list but I’m sorry this time I will never vote for him.

“If nobody listens to my concerns, then my children and I will not vote. I have warned them. We shall never vote. If this continues, we shall never join any party again. With God, everything is possible.”





AM

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