The race for the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Akuapem North parliamentary ticket ahead of the 2028 elections could become a contest between rival political camps, with former MP Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei and businessman Jonathan Amofah emerging as potential challengers to incumbent MP, Samuel Kwabena Awuku.

The possible challenge comes at a time when constituency executives, electoral area coordinators and elected assembly members are rallying behind Awuku and pushing for him to be retained as the party's parliamentary candidate without facing a primary contest.

The emerging political manoeuvres could bring supporters associated with former Agriculture Minister Dr Bryan Acheampong and former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong into contention against Sammi Awuku, who is associated with the political camp of the flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Nana Ama Dokua is known to have supported Dr Acheampong during the NPP's 2026 presidential primaries, while Amofah reportedly coordinated Kennedy Agyapong's campaign in Akuapem North during the same contest.

Although neither potential challenger is confirmed to have formally entered the parliamentary race, reports of their interest have generated discussions within the constituency, particularly over whether Awuku will get the opportunity to contest unopposed.

Nana Ama Dokua previously represented Akuapem North in Parliament from 2017 to 2025. However, ahead of the 2024 general elections, she switched constituencies to contest the NPP parliamentary primary in Okaikwei North.

She won that primary on December 2, 2023, with 341 votes but subsequently lost the parliamentary election to the National Democratic Congress' (NDC) Theresa Lardi Awuni.

Awuku, on the other hand, secured the Akuapem North seat in the December 2024 parliamentary elections with 28,365 votes, representing 66.61 per cent, against the NDC's John Evans, who polled 14,217 votes.

Reports that Nana Ama Dokua has registered her interest at the NPP headquarters to return to Akuapem North have further fuelled speculation about a possible challenge, although it remains unclear whether she has formally completed the nomination process.

Amofah is also being mentioned as a potential contender, largely because of his reported involvement in Kennedy Agyapong's campaign during the 2026 presidential primaries.

NPP executives push for Sammi Awuku's unopposed bid

Despite the possibility of a contest, Awuku appears to have secured considerable support among party structures in the constituency.

In a petition dated November 10, 2026, the Akuapem North Constituency Executive Committee and Electoral Area Coordinating Committee formally endorsed him as their preferred candidate for the 2028 parliamentary elections.

The petition, signed by Constituency Secretary Samuel Kodua-Boateng, stated that all 22 constituency executive committee members unanimously endorsed the MP at a meeting held on November 8.

The executives subsequently consulted the 32 Electoral Area Coordinating Committees, which together comprise 160 members.

Of the 160 members, 138 endorsed Awuku's unopposed bid, while 13 others reportedly expressed willingness to sign the petition but were outside the jurisdiction when the consultation took place. Nine members, however, indicated that they preferred a competitive primary.

The executives based their endorsement on what they described as Awuku's contributions to education, infrastructure, healthcare, youth empowerment, employment and community development.

Among the interventions cited were sponsorship of mock examinations for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates, distribution of mathematical sets, financial assistance to tertiary students, school construction and renovation projects, and the provision of school furniture and learning materials.

They also pointed to the construction of a police station and public toilets, alongside skills development initiatives targeting young people.

One of the programmes cited involved sponsorship for 21 young women under the age of 22 to undertake skills training in Russia. The MP was also credited with facilitating training for 120 young people in catfish farming, baking and soap making.

An additional 300 young people are expected to benefit from training in palm nut processing, fruit processing, digital marketing and local drink production.

Other interventions cited in the petition include financial assistance to market women, the provision of farming inputs to farmers, equipment for artisans and the introduction of the Ofie Market to promote economic activities within the constituency.

The executives also commended Awuku for what they described as his accessibility and continued engagement with traditional authorities, religious organisations, community leaders and residents.


Assembly members throw weight behind Sammi Awuku

The constituency executives are not the only group backing the incumbent MP.

In a separate petition presented to the Eastern Regional Chairman of the NPP on November 10, 2026, elected assembly members in Akuapem North also declared their unanimous support for Awuku's retention.

The petition, presented on behalf of the assembly members by Hon. Stephen Danquah, said the endorsement followed deliberations at a meeting held on November 8.

The assembly members described Awuku's tenure as one characterised by infrastructural development, youth empowerment, educational support and job creation.

They further argued that retaining him would strengthen the NPP's chances of winning both the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2028.

The two petitions have intensified the push for Sammi Awuku to secure the party's parliamentary ticket without a contest, even as the reported interest of individuals associated with rival political camps raises the possibility of a keen internal battle in Akuapem North.

For now, the central question is whether the incumbent MP's growing support among constituency structures will discourage potential challengers or whether the 2028 parliamentary primary will become another battleground for competing NPP political interests.

EA

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