A fresh political storm is brewing in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Akuapem North as former Member of Parliament Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei and businessman Jonathan Amofah are linked to moves that could challenge the parliamentary candidature of incumbent MP Samuel Kwabena Awuku ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The emerging contest is attracting attention because of the political affiliations of the personalities involved. Dokua is known to be a supporter of former Food and Agriculture Minister Dr Bryan Acheampong, while Amofah reportedly coordinated Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign in Akuapem North during the NPP’s 2026 presidential primaries.
Their reported interest places them on a potential collision course with Awuku, an associate of former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, whose supporters have already begun mobilising to secure his retention as the party’s parliamentary candidate.
The developments have heightened political discussions within the constituency, particularly after party executives, electoral area coordinators and elected assembly members submitted separate petitions endorsing Sammi Awuku to go unopposed.
At the centre of the developing controversy is Nana Ama Dokua, who represented Akuapem North in Parliament from 2017 to 2025 before moving to Okaikwei North to pursue another parliamentary ambition.
Ahead of the 2024 general elections, Dokua contested the NPP parliamentary primary in Okaikwei North on December 2, 2023, polling 341 votes to defeat five other aspirants, including Afia Akoto, who secured 228 votes.
Her decision to seek the party’s candidature outside the constituency she had represented for eight years generated political debate, while Sammi Awuku subsequently secured the NPP ticket in Akuapem North unopposed.
The December 2024 elections produced contrasting outcomes. Awuku won Akuapem North with 28,365 votes, representing 66.61 per cent, against the NDC’s John Evans, who obtained 14,217 votes.
Dokua, however, lost her Okaikwei North contest to the NDC’s Theresa Lardi Awuni, who secured 28,363 votes against her 20,627.
Now, reports that the former MP has registered her interest at the NPP headquarters to contest Akuapem North again have revived questions about her political future.
Her reported comeback is particularly significant because of her close association with Dr Bryan Acheampong, whom she actively supported during the 2026 NPP presidential primaries.
Sections of the constituency are reportedly questioning the decision to return after abandoning the seat to contest elsewhere, although Dokua’s reported interest should not be confused with confirmation that she has completed the formal nomination process.
Another personality being mentioned in the emerging contest is businessman Jonathan Amofah, who reportedly served as Kennedy Agyapong’s constituency coordinator during the 2026 presidential primaries.
His possible entry introduces another political dimension, given his association with the former Assin Central MP and presidential aspirant.
With Dokua linked to Bryan Acheampong and Amofah associated with Ken Agyapong’s campaign, the unfolding situation could bring competing political networks into the Akuapem North parliamentary contest.
The development is also being viewed against the background of Awuku’s relationship with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, whose political camp he has been associated with.
However, the immediate question is whether the reported ambitions will translate into formal nominations and how the NPP leadership will manage the competing interests.
While potential challengers are being discussed, Awuku’s supporters have launched a strong grassroots campaign for his retention.
In a petition dated November 10, 2026, the Akuapem North Constituency Executive Committee and Electoral Area Coordinating Committee formally endorsed the sitting MP as the sole candidate for the party’s next parliamentary primary.
The document, signed by Constituency Secretary Samuel Kodua-Boateng, states that the 22-member constituency executive committee unanimously endorsed Awuku at a meeting held on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
The executives subsequently consulted the 32 Electoral Area Coordinating Committees, comprising 160 members.
According to the petition, 138 members endorsed Awuku to go unopposed, while 13 others indicated their willingness to sign but were outside the jurisdiction during the meeting. The remaining nine expressed the opinion that there should be a contest.
The endorsement was forwarded to the Eastern Regional Chairman, with copies sent to the NPP National Chairman and General Secretary.
In explaining their decision, the executives highlighted what they described as the MP’s contributions to education, infrastructure, youth empowerment, healthcare, employment and community development.
On education, they cited his sponsorship of BECE mock examinations over the past five years, distribution of mathematical sets to candidates, financial support for tertiary students and sponsorship of refresher courses and seminars.
They also listed school construction and renovation projects, provision of furniture and learning materials, construction of a police station, public toilets, potable water facilities, road construction and reshaping, an Astroturf and a multipurpose sports facility.
The executives further disclosed that 21 young women under 22 had received sponsorship to undertake skills training in Russia, while 120 young people had been trained in catfish farming, baking and soap making.
An additional 300 young people, according to the petition, are expected to benefit from training in palm nut processing, fruit processing, digital marketing and local drink production.
They also credited the MP with facilitating employment opportunities in the public and private sectors.
On economic empowerment, the executives highlighted financial assistance to market women, farming inputs for farmers and working equipment for artisans. They described the introduction of the Ofie Market as an intervention supporting local farmers and economic activity.
They also praised Awuku’s accessibility, pointing to his constituency office, which they said operates from Monday to Friday, and his engagement with traditional authorities, religious bodies, community leaders and residents.
In a separate petition dated November 10, 2026, NPP elected assembly members in Akuapem North also declared their support for Awuku’s retention as parliamentary candidate.
The petition, presented on behalf of the elected assembly members by Hon. Stephen Danquah, said they had unanimously endorsed the MP following deliberations at their November 8 meeting.
They described his tenure as one characterised by infrastructure development, educational assistance, youth empowerment and job creation.
The assembly members further argued that retaining Awuku would strengthen the party’s prospects in the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections.
They appealed to the national and regional leadership to respect what they described as the preference of the grassroots and pledged to work towards victory under his candidature.
The two petitions have strengthened Awuku’s campaign for an uncontested candidature, with his supporters arguing that internal competition could divert attention and resources from the NPP’s broader objective of reclaiming parliamentary seats.
They maintain that continuity, experience and the consolidation of ongoing development projects should take priority over personal political ambitions.
However, the endorsements do not automatically determine the outcome of the parliamentary primary, which must follow the NPP’s constitutional procedures.
The coming months will determine whether the party builds consensus around its sitting MP or proceeds towards a competitive primary involving personalities associated with different camps in the party’s 2026 presidential contest.
By Daniel Bampoe
