In a historic turn of events, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture and incumbent Member of Parliament for Sekondi, has lost his seat to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Blay Nyameke Armah.
Egyapa Mercer, who first won the seat in 2016, polled 11,084 votes, representing 42.94% of the total valid votes cast. His opponent, Blay Nyameke Armah, secured 14,558 votes, commanding 56.40% and flipping the seat to the NDC for the first time since 1996.
The election saw a total of 25,813 votes cast, with 171 ballots rejected. The results mark a significant blow to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in what has traditionally been considered one of their strongholds in the Western Region.
Egyapa Mercer’s defeat ends his two-term tenure in Parliament, a journey that began when he succeeded Papa Owusu Ankomah in 2016. Known for his contributions to tourism and culture, his loss underscores a growing shift in voter dynamics within Sekondi and the Western Region at large.
The NDC’s victory in Sekondi is part of what is reported to be a broader trend in the Western Region, with unconfirmed reports suggesting the opposition party has also captured other seats from the governing NPP.
Blay Nyameke Armah’s win is being celebrated as a testament to the NDC’s renewed efforts in the region, which has historically leaned towards the NPP. The last time the NDC held the Sekondi seat was in 1996 under the late Albert Bosomtwi Sam.
Political analysts see the outcome as a reflection of growing dissatisfaction among voters and a call for change. The results also highlight the intense competition that characterized the 2024 elections across the country.
As Sekondi transitions under new leadership, constituents and political observers will be keen to see how Blay Nyameke Armah approaches this historic mandate. Meanwhile, Egyapa Mercer’s defeat marks a notable setback for the NPP in a pivotal election year.
