A fierce parliamentary contest is shaping up in the Ahanta West constituency of the Western Region, where broadcaster Samuel Kojo Brace has resigned from the Multimedia Group to challenge first-term Member of Parliament Mavis Kuukua Bissue Boateng.
Brace Enters the Race
Brace, popularly known as “Ahanta Pele,” co-hosted the AM Show on Joy News Channel alongside former beauty queen Emefa Akosua Adeti.
He has since disappeared from the programme, fueling reports that he has left the media house to pursue his political ambitions full-time.
His social media platforms are now abuzz with campaign activity. A colourful photo of him dressed in New Patriotic Party (NPP) colours carries the caption: “Less talk. Action nkotseeeeeeeee.”
Another post, inscribed with the word “anticipate” invites constituents to a “Walk with Ahanta Pele” scheduled for September 12, beginning at the Agona Roundabout.
He has also announced himself to voters with the declaration “Ahanta Pele 2028 on all socials,” and already has a campaign song ready ahead of his official launch.
While some viewers were stunned by his exit, others claim they saw it coming, arguing that his line of questioning on air occasionally revealed a bias toward the NPP.
Colleague Backs the Incumbent
In an interesting twist, Brace’s Multimedia colleague at Adom FM/TV (a sister station) has thrown her weight behind the very MP he hopes to unseat.
Entertainment hostess Sister Sandy, also known as Sister Sandy Bi Y3 Guy, has publicly defended Bissue’s record, insisting the MP has performed remarkably well despite being a newcomer to Parliament.
Sandy, who recently toured the constituency, said there are “visible footprints” of the MP’s work in every part of the area, urging her constituents to support her.
Though she insists she is not into politics, she said she felt compelled to speak out because she was impressed by what she witnessed during her visit—and is endorsing Bissue to continue her good works.
“I’m not into politics, but “Nipa yɛ adeɛ aa ɔsɛ ayɛyie!” After visiting Agona Nkwanta in the Ahanta West Municipality for work, I came back feeling like I needed to put this together”, part of her post said.
She went to say “Meet the MP for Ahanta West, Hon. Mavis Kuukua Bissue , the first female MP for Ahanta West since 1992. Yeah mehn! Woman power, innit? From what I saw, heard and learnt about some of the initiatives under her first term, I honestly think some of these things deserve recognition”.
Then she listed some of her projects: Ahanta language agenda, Ahanta heritage month, Ahantasportyfest, Women’s loan initiative, mobile clinic, reviving abandoned hospital project, Anyindamale Trsut Fund among others.
Sandy said after her visit and what she witnessed on the ground, she felt the MP has not spoken about her works enough reason she chose to amplify them.
A Swinging Seat
The stakes are high in a constituency that has alternated between Ghana’s two major parties. The NPP wrested the seat from the NDC’s George Kwame Aboagye in 2016, with Ebenezer Kojo Kum holding it for two terms before Bissue reclaimed it for the National Democratic Congress in the December 2024 elections.
Bissue made history in that contest, becoming the first woman ever elected to represent Ahanta West. She polled 28,227 votes—just over 58%—to decisively defeat the NPP’s Francis Eric Pobee, who secured 19,663 votes, or 41.08%.
Barely two years into her tenure, the MP has earned praise for championing the introduction of Ahanta as a Ghanaian language to be recognized, in addition to developmental projects in health, roads, and other sectors. She has yet to publicly respond to Brace’s entry into the race.
Nonetheless, the journalist-turned-politician’s candidacy has generated considerable excitement both within the constituency and across social media, setting the stage for a keenly watched battle.
By Gifty Boateng