George Andah and Hanna Tetteh
New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Awutu Senya West, George Andah has defeated the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) Hanna Tetteh, who contested the seat on the ticket of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr. Andah garnered a total of 28,867 votes, representing 52.24 percent while Madam Tetteh, who doubles as Minister of the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, polled 25,664 votes, representing 46.45 percent.
His victory is seen as a major blow for the ruling NDC whose presidential candidate, John Mahama also trails the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the presidential race.
The third parliamentary candidate, Alan Barnes Yawson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), also polled 228 votes.
Oppey Abbey won the seat for the NPP for a term in 2004.
The NPP flagbearer won the presidential election in the Awutu West Constituency with 28,874 votes while incumbent President Mahama had 24,845 votes.
President Mahama won the constituency in the 2012 elections with 23,509 votes, representing 50.96 percent while the NPP flag bearer garnered 21,566 votes, representing 46.75 percent.
This is the second time Ms. Tetteh is exiting Parliament.
During the campaign period, George Andah accused Madam Tetteh of failing to improve the living conditions of residents in the constituency.
The constituents also accused the incumbent MP, one of the most trusted appointees of President Mahama, of embarking on several overseas trips as part of her ministerial duties.
By Melvin Tarlue