Ghana’s
2024
general
election
is
gearing
up
to
be
an
intense
political
showdown,
and
one
of
the
notable
phenomena
in
the
country’s
voting
patterns
is
the
“skirt-and-blouse”
trend.
This
term
describes
constituencies
where
voters
split
their
ballots,
voting
for
a
presidential
candidate
from
one
party
and
a
parliamentary
candidate
from
another.
In
2020,
this
trend
was
particularly
significant
in
shaping
parliamentary
outcomes,
and
as
we
head
into
2024,
33
constituencies
have
been
identified
as
“skirt-and-blouse”
hotspots.
Here’s
a
detailed
breakdown
of
these
constituencies
and
their
implications
for
the
upcoming
elections.
Regional
Distribution
of
Skirt-and-Blouse
Constituencies;
Ahafo
Region
(1
Constituency)
Constituency:
Asunafo
South
Asunafo
South
stands
out
as
the
sole
constituency
in
the
Ahafo
Region
to
exhibit
skirt-and-blouse
voting,
reflecting
diverse
voter
preferences.
Ashanti
Region
(1
Constituency)
Constituency:
Fomena
Fomena
made
headlines
in
2020
when
an
independent
candidate,
backed
by
the
NPP,
won
the
parliamentary
seat
while
the
region
overwhelmingly
supported
the
NPP
presidential
candidate.
Bono
Region
(3
Constituencies)
Constituencies:
Banda,
Jaman
South,
Wenchi
Known
for
its
balance
between
NPP
and
NDC
support,
these
constituencies
often
exhibit
mixed
voting
patterns.
Bono
East
Region
(6
Constituencies)
Constituencies:
Atebubu/Amantin,
Kintampo
South,
Nkoranza
North,
Nkoranza
South,
Pru
West,
Techiman
South
The
Bono
East
Region
emerged
as
a
pivotal
region,
with
many
constituencies
showing
divergent
preferences
between
the
presidential
and
parliamentary
races.
Central
Region
(8
Constituencies)
Constituencies:
Agona
East,
Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa,
Assin
North,
Awutu
Senya
West,
Cape
Coast
North,
Cape
Coast
South,
Gomoa
East,
Gomoa
West
The
Central
Region
has
consistently
been
a
swing
region
in
national
elections,
and
the
high
number
of
skirt-and-blouse
constituencies
underscores
its
unpredictability.
Eastern
Region
(3
Constituencies)
Constituencies:
Akwatia,
Ayensuano,
Upper
West
Akim
These
constituencies
reflect
pockets
of
voter
independence
in
a
region
traditionally
considered
an
NPP
stronghold.
Greater
Accra
Region
(1
Constituency)
Constituency:
Okaikwei
North
As
Ghana’s
most
populous
region,
Greater
Accra’s
lone
skirt-and-blouse
constituency
highlights
the
mixed
voting
dynamics
within
urban
centres.
North
East
Region
(1
Constituency)
Constituency:
Yunyoo
In
a
region
dominated
by
the
NDC,
Yunyoo’s
mixed
voting
pattern
reveals
an
element
of
political
diversity.
Northern
Region
(1
Constituency)
Constituency:
Savelugu
Savelugu’s
trend
of
split
voting
mirrors
the
Northern
Region’s
reputation
for
fluctuating
loyalties.
Savannah
Region
(2
Constituencies)
Constituencies:
Damongo,
Salaga
North
Both
constituencies
highlight
the
Savannah
Region’s
growing
importance
in
Ghana’s
electoral
map.
Upper
East
Region
(1
Constituency)
Constituency:
Binduri
Binduri
exemplifies
the
Upper
East
Region’s
tendency
to
vote
for
a
mix
of
candidates
across
party
lines.
Upper
West
Region
(3
Constituencies)
Constituencies:
Lambussie-Karni,
Nandom,
Sissala
East
These
constituencies
demonstrate
the
Upper
West
Region’s
nuanced
political
behaviour,
often
defying
party
stronghold
narratives.
Volta
Region
(1
Constituency)
Constituency:
Hohoe
Hohoe
remains
a
unique
case
in
the
Volta
Region,
traditionally
an
NDC
stronghold,
where
mixed
voting
patterns
have
emerged.
Western
Region
(1
Constituency)
Constituency:
Jomoro
Jomoro’s
inclusion
underscores
the
Western
Region’s
evolving
political
dynamics,
with
voters
increasingly
splitting
their
ballot.
Total
Likely
Skirt-and-Blouse
Constituencies:
33