Wa East : Explore the voting trends, dynamics and results from 2004 to 2020

The Wa East District, one of 11 districts in Upper West Region, was carved out of the then Wa District in July 2004. Currently, the constituency is represented in the 8th Parliament by Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw of the ticket to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Historical Voting Patterns
The Wa East Constituency is known as a swing constituency, meaning constituents here typically vote based on the candidates’ individual merit and capabilities rather than party loyalty.

A prominent figure in the constituency’s political landscape has been Godfrey Bayon Tangu, who represented the constituency in parliament under the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)on three occasions—2004, 2008, and 2016. However, in 2012, Ameenu Salifu of the NDC won the seat.

Fast forward, in the 2020 elections, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, contesting for the first time under the NDC, won decisively with over 60% of the vote, defeating the NPP’s Salifu Yakubu, fair to say it wasn’t a contest.

Read on :Wa Central: Dr. Rashid Pelpuo vrs All Npp PCs – Explore the results, trends and dynamics

The 2024 Battle: Jasaw vs. Ewurah 

Looking ahead to the 2024 parliamentary elections, Dr. Jasaw will face off against Dr. Ewurah Suleiman Kandie, the DCE and the NPP’s parliamentary candidate.

This contest promises to be highly intriguing , especially given their recent clash over the district assembly common fund spending, where it’s believed that the DCE was sabotaging the MPs developmental agendas by deliberately refusing to approve the MPs expenditure on the common fund leading to the MPs summoning him to public accounts committee of parliament which later ordered the DCE to approve cheques for the MPs developmental agendas.

The friction between the two is expected to heighten the intensity of the race, as each candidate believes they have the constituency’s best interests at heart. Dr. Jasaw, leveraging his achievements over the last four years, aims to retain the seat, while Dr. Ewurah hopes to sway voters by emphasizing a new direction for the district.

Past Parliamentary Election Results

2004 Parliamentary Election
NPP – Bayon Godfrey Tangu: 10,947 (51.40%)
NDC – Saliah Issaku Alhaj : 9,275 (43.50%)

2008 Parliamentary Election
NPP – Bayon Godfrey Tangu: 10,047 (48.04%)
NDC – Ameen Salifu : 9,037 (43.21%)

2012 Parliamentary Election
NDC – Ameen Salifu : 12,846 (49.59%)
NPP – Bayon Godfrey Tangu : 12,505 (48.27%)

2016 Parliamentary Election
NPP – Bayon Godfrey Tangu : 12,723 (46.94%)
NDC – Henry Seidu Dannah: 11,387 (42.01%)

2020 Parliamentary Election
NDC – Godfred Seidu Jasaw : 21,428 (60.07%)
NPP – Salifu Yakubu : 14,246 (39.93%)

What to Expect in 2024
The contest between Dr. Jasaw and Dr. Ewurah is poised to be one of the most closely watched races in the Upper West Region.

Both candidates have a strong base of support and distinct visions for the future of the Wa East District.

Whether Dr. Jasaw’s track record in office will be enough to retain the seat or if Dr. Ewurah’s appeal for change will win over voters remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Wa East Constituency is up for grabs by any of these two fine political gems.