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Since
its
formation
in
2012,
the
Madina
Constituency
has
been
a
traditional
stronghold
for
the
National
Democratic
Congress
(NDC).
However,
the
political
landscape
shifted
in
2016
when
the
New
Patriotic
Party
(NPP)
won
the
seat,
marking
a
significant
development
in
the
area.
With
the
upcoming
elections
on
December
7,
3news
visited
Madina
to
explore
the
dynamics
that
could
influence
voter
decisions
in,
a
predominantly
Muslim
community
that
was
carved
out
from
the
Abokobi-Madina
Constituency.
Madina
serves
as
the
capital
of
the
La
Nkwantanang
Madina
Municipal
District,
one
of
29
districts
in
Ghana’s
Greater
Accra
Region,
and
is
the
12th
most
populous
settlement
in
the
country.
According
to
the
Electoral
Commission’s
2020
data,
the
Constituency
has
around
150,000
eligible
voters.
But
the
crucial
question
remains:
Will
they
all
turn
out
to
vote?
One
resident
expressed
confidence
in
the
importance
of
voting,
stating,
“As
a
Ghanaian,
I
will
definitely
exercise
my
franchise.
We
know
who
will
develop
our
country,
and
that’s
who
we’ll
vote
for.”
Conversely,
19-year-old
Michael
revealed
his
decision
not
to
vote,
reflecting
a
sentiment
shared
by
some
young
citizens.
Historically,
the
Madina
Constituency
has
been
represented
by
Alhaji
Amadu
Bukari
Sorogo
of
the
NDC
since
2004,
until
2016
when
NPP
candidate
Abu-Bakar
Saddique
Boniface
won
with
55%
of
the
vote.
However,
the
NDC
reclaimed
the
seat
in
2020
with
incumbent
MP
Francis
Xavier
Sosu,
who
defeated
Saddique
by
over
62,000
votes.
As
the
2024
elections
approach,
Sosu
is
set
to
face
NPP’s
Robert
Lamptey,
following
the
withdrawal
of
independent
candidate
Prince
Moses
Zakaria.
Key
issues
for
voters
In
line
with
broader
trends
across
Greater
Accra,
key
issues
such
as
economic
concerns
and
local
infrastructure
are
shaping
voter
sentiment.
Residents
have
expressed
their
frustrations
regarding
sanitation
and
road
conditions.
One
individual
pointed
out
the
lack
of
armed
robbery
incidents
in
the
area,
yet
highlighted
the
urgent
need
for
better
waste
management,
stating,
“Sanitation
is
abysmal.
It’s
our
duty
to
keep
our
surroundings
clean.”
Another
resident
echoed
this
sentiment,
mentioning
the
challenges
posed
by
flooding
and
clogged
gutters,
which
sometimes
necessitate
external
assistance
for
cleanup.
Reflecting
on
the
impact
of
politics
on
infrastructure,
one
voter
remarked,
“Our
roads
are
in
a
deplorable
state.
A
journey
that
should
take
five
minutes
can
take
over
thirty
minutes.
We’ve
witnessed
these
issues,
and
we
know
who
to
vote
for.”
A
Constituency
to
watch
As
the
residents
of
Madina
prepare
to
exercise
their
fundamental
right
to
vote,
critical
issues
weighing
on
their
minds
will
undoubtedly
influence
their
choices
in
the
upcoming
election.