Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh wins Sunyani East

The two-horse race ended on Saturday after governing NPP delegates in the Sunyani East Constituency once again elected Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the current Member of Parliament, as their candidate for the 2024 crucial parliamentary election as against his long time political rival Ambassador George Kumi. Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh, who also serves as the Board Chairman of the Bui Power Authority, is set to represent the constituents in Parliament for a fifth term if he wins the upcoming December 7 election.

Due to some internal issues, the Sunyani East constituency was unable to participate in the NPP’s parliamentary primaries held on January 27. However, after these challenges were resolved by the national leadership of the Party, a re-scheduled primary took place on March 9. In a closely contested election supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC) at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sunyani, Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh secured 460 out of 799 valid votes to defeat his only opponent, Ambassador George Kumi, a former envoy.

Results

Kwesi Ameyaw Cheremeh – 460 votes

George Kumi – 339 votes

Total Valid Votes: 799

Total Votes Cast: 799

Following the announcement of the results, there was a sense of joy and excitement in Sunyani as delegates and supporters celebrated on the streets. Clad in party attire, some delegates expressed their belief that the incumbent MP had performed well and deserved their endorsement for the upcoming election.

Mr. Abubakar Yakubu, the Sunyani East Communications Officer for the NPP, praised the delegates for their political maturity and civility during the polls. He also commended the police for their professionalism in maintaining law and order during the event.

Two-horse race: Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh vs George Kumi

The parliamentary primary to select a candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was hotly contested on Saturday, March 9, 2024, between Ghana’s former Ambassador to Libya and Nigeria, George Kumi and the incumbent NPP Member of Parliament for Sunyani East Constituency, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh.

Both candidates successfully went through the vetting process, making it a two-horse race for the NPP ticket in the upcoming general election.

Legal issues had previously halted the exercise in the constituency during the January 27 parliamentary primaries. This legal action not only affected the selection of a parliamentary candidate but also prevented delegates in the constituency from participating in the election of the party’s presidential candidate.

Fortunately, the NPP was able to resolve these legal matters, clearing the way for the parliamentary primary to be conducted.

Bono Regional Secretary of the NPP, Kofi Ofosu Boateng, confirmed that all issues hindering the constituency from organizing the primary had been dealt with. He emphasized the need for both aspirants and their supporters to maintain decorum during their campaigns and activities.

This was not the first time Mr. Kumi had contested against Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh. In the 2016 general election, Mr. Kumi lost to the incumbent MP by a single vote. Following accusations and a recount by the Sunyani High Court, Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh’s victory was confirmed.

Despite this defeat, Mr. Kumi stood as an independent candidate in the subsequent election, garnering significantly fewer votes. In the 2020 election, Mr. Kumi attempted to rejoin the NPP parliamentary race but was unsuccessful.

Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh reiterated his intention to seek re-election to fulfill his commitments both in Parliament and the constituency.