Four Candidates Battle for Sunyani East Parliamentary Seat

The parliamentary election in Sunyani East is gradually turning out to be one of the most exciting and closely contested in recent times. Four candidates are up against the long-serving MP, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who is seeking to secure a fifth term. Ever since he first won the seat in 2004, Ameyaw-Cheremeh has managed to gain the appreciation of, especially, NPP followers in this constituency that has also quite traditionally leaned toward the side of the ruling party. The trend is, however, breaking, and his opponents are pushing ahead with an ambitious set of proposals to meet Sunyani East's changing needs.

Sunyani East, which has remained in the hands of the NPP since the late Joseph Henry Mensah secured it in 1996, is experiencing fresh ideas in this election cycle. From 116,820 registered voters who are going to go to the polls on December 7, each candidate is trying to woo the hearts of the people in the 280 polling centers.

The status quo is, however, being challenged by NDC's Seid Mubarak, a first-time contender, on promises of more sports and youth facilities. He promised a modern sports complex with swimming and boxing facilities as he wooed the votes of Sunyani's vibrant youth.

The other contestants include Alanyina Sampana Sampson from the PNC, who is making his fifth attempt at the seat. Sampson runs on a message of renewed accountability, confident that voters will see him for what he says he is: a necessary alternative to the incumbent.

Independent candidate Ransford Antwi, a businessman-cum-philanthropist, represents another kind of leadership. He has promised a "tools bag" initiative for young people to have an opportunity for hands-on job experience and presents himself as a solution-oriented leader.

With such a diverse field and with the stakes higher than ever, Sunyani East is bound to be one of the most closely watched constituencies in the 2024 elections.