Collins Owusu Amankwah
Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia North Constituency, Collins Owusu Amankwah, says he is confronting a major political dilemma as mounting pressure from constituents to return to local politics coincides with his pursuit of a national executive position within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The former legislator told DAILY GUIDE that although his immediate focus is on contesting for the NPP’s National Organiser slot in August, persistent appeals from residents of Manhyia North are forcing him to reassess his political trajectory.
Mr. Amankwah acknowledged that the situation has created a delicate balancing act between his desire to serve the party at the national level and the strong grassroots support urging him to seek a parliamentary comeback.
He noted that influential party figures and potential sponsors have expressed readiness to support his national bid, but said the loyalty and expectations of his constituents remain a compelling factor.
“I am currently weighing the choice between serving the party at the national level or returning to Manhyia North to seek the parliamentary candidacy once more,” he stated, adding that a final decision would be announced in the coming weeks.
Mr. Amankwah indicated that while both options align with the NPP’s broader political interests, stepping away from the constituency that shaped his political career presents an emotional and strategic challenge.
Explaining the growing calls for his return, the former MP pointed to what he described as a “developmental vacuum” in the constituency, which residents believe has slowed progress on key initiatives undertaken during his tenure from 2012 to 2020.
He cited stalled infrastructure projects, including the incomplete Duase bungalows intended for nurses and teachers, as well as abandoned borehole and road maintenance works, as examples frequently referenced by constituents advocating his comeback.
According to him, residents are eager to restore what they perceive as a clear development agenda and active community engagement that characterised his period in office.
“I am not entirely surprised that these calls intensify daily,” Mr. Amankwah said, stressing that many flagship interventions initiated under his leadership have not advanced as expected.
He further maintained that the appeals reflect the strong relationship he cultivated with the constituency and the visibility he maintained in addressing local concerns.
Reflecting on his political journey, Mr. Amankwah expressed gratitude to the people of Manhyia North for the trust that propelled his parliamentary career.
“While the party vehicle provided the platform, I owe my status and experience to the confidence the people reposed in me,” he remarked, emphasising that this enduring bond continues to influence his decision-making.
He reiterated that the weight of that relationship underscores the complexity of his current political crossroads, as he considers whether to channel his experience into national party organisation or respond to the renewed mandate being demanded at the constituency level.
By Ernest Kofi Adu