The Nandom Municipality, which was carved out of the Lawra-Nandom district on 28th June 2012, is one of the 11 districts in the Upper West Region.
The constituency is currently represented in the 8th Parliament by Ambrose Dery on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party.
A notable figure in the anals of the Nandom constituency parliamentary election is Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor, a former Health and Defense Minister who won the seat for the National Democratic Congress in 2000, 2004, (in the then Lawra-Nandom) and 2012 (Nandom)
Voting Pattern
Nandom has a unique voting pattern. Since 2012, the NDC has consistently won the presidential vote, but Ambrose Dery have been claiming the parliamentary seat for the NPP, except in 2012 when the NDC won both. Meaning constituents over here always vote skirt and blouse.
The Battle Ahead
The Nandom constituency is divided into 4 zones namely Ko, Basebele, Puffein and Nandom zone. Ambrose Dery stronghold is the Nandom and Puffein zones whiles Dr. Kuuire stronghold is the Ko and Basebele zones. Perhaps the reason why the Nandom and Puffein zones have better roads network than the Ko and Basebele zones.
In the 2024 parliamentary election, Ambrose Dery will face Dr. Richard Kuuire of the NDC for the third time. While Ambrose Dery is resourceful, having served as Interior Minister for nearly eight years and spearheaded several development projects, most especially roads and employment but internal wrangling within the NPP in Nandom may affect his chances.
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Notable among these wrangling are the suspension of Patrick Nakpenaah and the disqualification of Alois Mohl from contesting in the NPP primaries which many believed was anchored by Ambrose.
Mr. Nakpenaah, the suspended constituency youth organiser has a firm grabs of youth bases in constituency and was vital to Ambrose’s previous victories.
On the other hand, the NDC seems to be overcoming its internal divisions. Dr. Kuuire, despite being less resourceful and not an eloquent communicator, now has the backing of influential figures like Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor and Baba Kuupiel the former DCE and parliamentary aspirant whom Dr. Kumbuor have openly declared his support to in the NDC primaries, they are campaigning and attending ceremonies together. This united front is a major boost for Kuuire’s chances.
Many are the view that if the reuniting of the 3Ks (Kumbuor, Kuupiel and Kuuire) can stand the test of time, Ambrose Dery might not have it easy.
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The question remains: Will Ambrose Dery’s track record in development secure his re-election, or will Dr. Kuuire’s newfound unity in the NDC lead to an upset? The 7th of December will tell.
Historical Election Results in Nandom Constituency
2000 (Lawra-Nandom)
Benjamin Kumbuor (NDC) – 22,347 (74.40%)
Tenku Charles (PNC) – 3,570 (11.90%)
Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen (NPP) – 3,487 (11.60%)
2004 (Lawra-Nandom)
Benjamin Kumbuor (NDC) – 19,306 (62.00%)
Ambrose Dery (NPP) – 10,549 (33.90%)
2008 (Lawra-Nandom)
Ambrose Dery (NPP) – 16,556 (50.76%)
Benjamin Kumbuor (NDC) – 15,016 (46.04%)
2012 (Nandom)
Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor (NDC) – 13,172 (63.82%)
Ambrose Dery (NPP) – 7,333 (35.53%)
2016 (Nandom):
Ambrose Dery (NPP) – 11,107 (51.43%)
Richard Kuuire (NDC) – 10,229 (47.36%)
2020 (Nandom):
Ambrose Dery (NPP) – 15,237 (57.83%)
Richard Kuuire (NDC) – 11,110 (42.17%)
The 2024 contest promises to be a close one, with both candidates bringing their strengths to the table.
