With the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections fast approaching, 29 candidates have officially filed their nomination forms with the Electoral Commission to contest for parliamentary seats across the 11 constituencies in the Upper West Region.
Three of the 29 aspirants are women: Hajia Aisha Salifu of the NPP in Jirapa, Hajia Humu Awudu, the NPP’s candidate for Wa Central, and Nyine-Kakone Delle Stella Saabedaar of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) in Nandom. All 11 incumbent MPs are seeking re-election, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
Dafiama Bussie Issa (DBI)
In DBI, incumbent NDC MP Dr. Sebastian Sandaare faces a rematch against Ing. Imoro Nadi Sanda, the current DCE, mirroring their 2020 election contest.
Dr Sandaare is seeking a third term in parliament after he succeeded Mathia Puozaa in 2016
Nandom
In Nandom, Ambrose Dery, the NPP MP and Minister of State, is contesting for a third term in the Nandom Constituency. His challengers include NDC’s Richard Kuuire, a retired Ghana Prisons Service Director General, and GUM’s Nyine-Kakone Delle Stella Saabedaar.
Sissala East
Sissala East will see a tight race between incumbent MP and Deputy Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, Amidu Chinnia (NPP), and his 2020 rival, Bataglia Mohammed Issah of the NDC. The PNC, which holds significant support in the area, has not fielded a candidate, intensifying the competition.
Wa Central
Wa Central has the highest number of candidates, with four contestants: incumbent NDC MP Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, Hajia Humu Awudu of the NPP, Yakubu Zakaria of the PNC, and independent candidate Rashid Saeed.
Lambussie
The Lambussie race features NDC’s Dr. Titus Bayuo, seeking to unseat incumbent MP Dr. Bright Bakye Baligi of the NPP. Also in the race is 22-year-old Mohammed Imuran of the LPG, making it a contest to watch.
Lawra
In Lawra, incumbent NDC MP Bede Ziedeng will face MCE Jacob Dery of the NPP, along with independent candidate Joseph Dabuo, who previously contested in 2012 under the Progressive People’s Party (PPP).
Wa West
Wa West will see a three-way race between incumbent NDC MP Peter Lanchene Toobu, NPP’s James Kpirfaatey, and Bayong Francis of the PNC.
Jirapa
In Jirapa, incumbent NDC MP Hon. Cletus Seidu Dapila will go head-to-head with NPP’s Hajia Aisha Salifu in a straight contest.
Sissala West
The Sissala West constituency has PNC’s Yussif Shaibu in the race, while the NPP has repeated its 2020 candidate Salifu Naliwie Baliwie, who will face off against incumbent NDC MP Mohammed Adams Supkaru.
Wa East
Wa East is another hotly contested constituency, with a fierce battle between incumbent NDC MP Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw and NPP’s Dr. Ewura Mahama Kandia, the sitting DCE. Tensions have been high, particularly over allegations of the DCE withholding Common Fund allocations, adding further intensity to the race.
Nadowli/Kaleo
In Nadowli/Kaleo, incumbent NDC MP Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah is defending his seat, while the NPP is fielding their constituency secretary, Francis Xavier Kambotuu. Despite the NPP’s struggles in the area since 2012, it remains to be seen if this year’s elections will produce different results.
The NDC, which typically dominates the region, has set a goal of winning all 11 seats, while the NPP aims to secure at least six. Both parties have been vigorously campaigning to achieve their respective targets.
