NDC Primaries: Is the 12-year reign of the Duffuor family in Sekyere Afram Plains?
Sekyere Afram Plains region isone of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) conservative seats in the Ashanti region since its formation in 2010. For three times in a row, Dr. Alex Adomako-Mensah, brother of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor won the seat.
But the MP faced strongopposition from his nephew, DrKwabena Duffuor Jnr. and two other candidates in the abortedNDC primaries.
Interestingly, a popular businesswoman Nasira Afrah beat them both. Sekyere Afram Plains District was split fromSekyere Kumawa District in 2010.
Since his first general election in 2012, the Duffuor family, led by Dr. Led by Alex Adomako-Mensah, the area has been dominated. Their contribution to creating an area that is almost the capital city of Kumasi, cannot be overstated.
It is not surprising that when the parliamentarian in power isDr. Alex Adomako-Mensah announced his achievements, he said he made the capital, Drobonso. "People will testify, I have done many things. LookDrobonso, enter the room and see what I have done. During my first four years in office, I did a lot. Schools and auditoriums that I built,” he sold. Going into the presidential and parliamentary elections of the NDC, many thought it was another victory for the family until Dr. Adomako-Mensah separated his support from the family by not supporting the position of his cousin, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, NDC leader.
This made him see his nephew, Dr Kwabena Duffuor Junior preparing to overthrow him. “Icame to support my son. My son will win. He will win hands down," Dr. Duffuor said confidently as his son took his nephew. Family feuds, many say, ruined Duffuor's side. "I was shocked, I didn't know what to say. It is Allah's will,” Hajia Nasira Afrah, the newly elected NDC candidate.
Almost undocumented, Hajia Nasira Afrah - a businesswoman and a resident of Drobonso - surprised the family, said Dr. Kwabena Adomako-Mensah and his nephew. The victory stunnedGhanaians as it ended the family's 12-year rule in the region.
Despite the dissatisfaction ofsome delegates, Dr Kwabena Duffuor Junior managed to get203 votes, a difference of eight votes behind the winner. For some of the delegates, the absence of Dr Kwabena Duffuor in the constituency has dashed their hopes for him.
“The symptoms he showed us did not show that he could help us. You have your area, you have never set foot here, and you have never met your branch leaders. How can you guide us? We want people like us in Sekyere Afram Plains. We are farmers. This means that when we vote for him, he will not visitus for the next four years,” saidNDC Constituency SecretarySekyere Afram Plains.
For other voters, the development of the area is areason to bring a new face. “Adomako has not done anything for us for 12 years now. The villages around us are not doing well,” said one of the attendees. Another resident added: “They helped us but they were not enough. Our highschool hasn't gotten a job yet. Look, our roads are terrible”.
Many voters and representatives are sure of the development in the region as they praise Nasira's communication and hard work. “Afrah is humble. He did a lot for us. He is busy. We are delighted that he was nominated. I hope it will help the teenage mothers and single mothers here," a resident said happily. The discussion in the city, however, will the family regain their position in the region or is this the end of the Duffuor family?
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