Dr. Benard Okoe Boye utilizes the "SANKOFA" slogan in skirt and blouse voting

In a surprising turn of events, Dr Benard Okoe Boye, former Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, has kicked off his election campaign with a unique strategy, urging constituents to embrace a 'SANKOFA' approach. The former MP, who also served as the Deputy Minister of Health and CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), is vying for the position once again, but this time, with a twist.

The term "SANKOFA," meaning "go back and take" in the Akan language, is traditionally associated with the idea of learning from the past to build a better future. However, in this context, it serves as a clever political ploy employed by Dr. Okoe Boye to secure votes while acknowledging the likely defeat of his party's presidential candidate. Giant billboards featuring Dr. Okoe Boye alone, strategically positioned across the constituency, bear the inscription 'SANKOFA.' This has sparked discussions about a potential 'skirt and blouse' strategy, where constituents are urged to split their votes between the parliamentary and presidential candidates. Analysts suggest that this approach is rooted in the anticipation of the ruling party's potential loss in the upcoming December presidential elections.

Observers speculate that Dr. Okoe Boye's decision to adopt the "SANKOFA" slogan indicates a recognition of his party's diminishing chances in the presidential contest. By appealing directly to constituents with a message of returning to familiar leadership, he aims to capitalize on his previous tenure as MP for Ledzokuku. Political observers have noted that 'SANKOFA' is emerging as a theme in the 2024 elections, not only in Ledzokuku but also nationally. The NDC, in alignment with Dr Okoe Boye's campaign, is urging Ghanaians to "go back and take" their support, advocating for a return to power in the upcoming polls.

Moreover, the synergy between Dr Okoe Boye's campaign strategy and that of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, is evident because Both candidates are utilizing the same "SANKOFA" slogan, albeit with different objectives. While Dr Okoe Boye seeks re-election at the local or constituency level, the NDC aims to regain power at the national level.

This tactic, commonly referred to as "skirt and blouse" in Ghanaian political parlance, underscores the intricate dynamics at play in the lead-up to the elections. Dr Okoe Boye's willingness to diverge from his party's presidential candidate highlights the importance of constituency-level politics and the pragmatic strategies employed by candidates to secure victory.

“Ledzokuku is coming back to NPP as Sankofa campaign gets record numbers for Dr Okoe Boye” This is from Nsem Pii TV on YouTube. Also, a contributor on modernghana.com wrote a story with the title “Teshie Mantse endorses Okoe Boye's Sankofa Agenda”. All these confirm the fact that he is campaigning on skirt and blouse. As the campaign season intensifies, the success of Dr. Okoe Boye's "SANKOFA" campaign remains to be seen.

However, his bold approach signifies a departure from conventional political tactics and sets the stage for a compelling electoral contest in Ledzokuku.