Paul Ansah runs to Ayensuano after 5 defeats at Asuogyaman

Former Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Paul Asare Ansah, appears to be turning his political attention to the Ayensuano Constituency after years of contesting parliamentary elections and New Patriotic Party (NPP) primaries in the Asuogyaman constituency of the Eastern Region.

His latest political activities have sparked discussions within NPP circles in Ayensuano, where he has increasingly participated in party activities and constituency engagements ahead of the party’s internal elections and the build-up to the 2028 general elections.

Paul Ansah’s political career has largely been associated with the Asuogyaman Constituency, where he made several attempts to secure the NPP parliamentary candidacy.

After unsuccessful bids in earlier primaries, he eventually won the party’s parliamentary nomination in 2019 and contested the 2020 general election.

However, he was defeated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) incumbent, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, who polled 24,470 votes against Ansah’s 23,232 votes, becoming the first MP in years to retain the parliamentary seat beyond a single term.

Following that defeat, Paul Ansah again sought the NPP parliamentary nomination for Asuogyaman ahead of the 2024 elections but lost the party’s orphan constituency primary to former National Youth Authority Chief Executive, Pius Enam Hadzide.

Since then, the former GPHA boss has increasingly been linked with political activities in Ayensuano, where he traces his paternal roots.

His growing involvement in constituency programmes has fuelled speculation that he may be positioning himself for the NPP parliamentary contest in Ayensuano ahead of the 2028 general election.

The development comes barely two years after Ida Adjoa Asiedu made history by becoming the first female Member of Parliament for Ayensuano on the ticket of the NPP.

In the 2024 general election, Ida Adjoa Asiedu secured 18,229 votes to defeat the incumbent NDC MP, Teddy Safori Addi, who obtained 17,182 votes, reclaiming the constituency for the NPP after a single parliamentary term under the NDC.

Since assuming office in January 2025, the MP has rolled out a number of constituency development initiatives, including the expansion of the Coaltar Health Centre, renovation of health facilities, donation of medical equipment, drilling and rehabilitation of boreholes under the “Kum Nsukom” Water for All Project, support for education, agriculture and youth empowerment programmes.

Meanwhile, Paul Ansah has also stepped up his public engagements in Ayensuano.

In what many party members view as his clearest political signal yet, he recently shared on his official Facebook page a lengthy endorsement written by Peter Kwafo, identified as the Polling Station Chairman for the Coaltar Government Health Centre.

In the post, Peter Kwafo praised Paul Ansah’s contribution to the constituency, claiming he had facilitated more than 220 boreholes in Ayensuano over the years and describing him as someone capable of doing even more for the constituency.

The post also commended his humanitarian interventions, including reportedly paying over GH¢40,000 to support an accident victim.

Rather than adding his own commentary, Paul Ansah introduced the message by saying he was surprised to read it because the polling station chairman was generally reserved, before reproducing the endorsement in full and ending with the statement: “I have no further comment.”

The publication of the endorsement has intensified discussions among party supporters, with many interpreting it as a signal of his growing political interest in Ayensuano ahead of future parliamentary contests.

Although Paul Ansah has not publicly declared his intention to contest the Ayensuano parliamentary seat, his recent activities and increasing presence in the constituency continue to generate debate within the NPP as the party gradually begins preparations for the 2028 general elections.