Shai-Osudoku: Interesting Constituency To Watch Out For In 2016

Daniel Tei Mensah Dei, NPP Aspirant In Shai-Osudoku Constituency

Shai-Osudoku, with its capital Dodowa, is in the greater Accra region of the republic of Ghana. Sometimes, reporters mistakenly or out of ignorance reports that, Dodowa is in the eastern region of Ghana. Let me state categorically clear, Dodowa is in the greater Accra region and not eastern region.

The parliamentary seat of Shai-Osudoku since 1992 held by the NDC and although Gloria Akuffo practically became a household name who probably after her first attempt , she exercise a little bit patience and probably decided to come again for the second term could have wrestle the seat for the first time for the NPP. She won the heat beat of the people but she decided not to come again.

As an indigene of Shai-Osudoku, I wrote the book” catalyst for change in the dangme land” and I ask “is the dangme land in a state of stagnation or retrogression? In the book lots of issues poop up , the family system as agent of change, the religion, the chieftaincy and the political institution. Currently, I am working on the second book title ‘’ the State of the Dangme Land.

The dangme land ,one area I always want to see that change prompt up in areas of our lives. Many people resist change; it is not that easy but one thing I have realized is that change is a good thing that can transform your life or a community.

On a busy day, one afternoon as I set my foot into the township, I saw banners and posters everywhere of the aspiring candidate of the NPP for the Shai-Osoduku Constituency and I was told that they are about five in numbers. So I was wondering why a constituency called an orphan area would have this number of people contesting for the one position. But I decided to delve a little bit and research about their background.

It wasn’t surprising because as I mourn the death of my late aunty, the queen mother of Doryumu, Nene Adjarkie Nene (11), I realized that, the people of Shai have now become proactive and have gradually becoming more active and involving themselves in many things in the town.

Right from 1992, the people who occupied the seat for the NDC are indigenes and most of the time the indigenes lament why the NPP candidates comes from outside, but this time around all the five aspirants are indigenes and very competent, making the race very interesting until the day before the people of Shai-Osudoku will know who is contesting the incumbent Hon. David Assumeng .

I am also wondering how the candidate who wins can overturn the over 18, 000 votes Hon. David Assumeng wallop. I can’t wait to see how the good people of Shai-Osudoku will decides so we know who contest Hon. David Assumeng during the primaries. The people of Shai-Osudoku have arrived and gone where the days when they were in the Dodowa forest, they have now left the forest! Oh boy!

Background of the Parliamentary landscape
I know whoever wins will still needs more than extraordinary campaigns to win the seat on the ticket of the NPP, though the people calling for change, but it is still possible; who knows Hon. Baba Jamal will seal through in 2012.

In 1996, Michael Afedi Gizo won the elections with 14,814, Kwame Tetteh Korley had, 2,319 for the NPP. In 2000, Mike won again this time with 10,562 losing about 4,000 members to Eric Abraham Nartey of the NRP who made a huge mark with 4,844 as against the NPP candidate Adjowerh Nartey, 4,439.

In 2004, the incumbent David Tetteh Assumeng of the NDC won with 13,510 and the NPP with their arsenal woman Gloria Akuffo managed 7,386, unfortunately she didn't appear again because of the disappointments she suffered from the people. The shai people are nice people but you have to study them before you come in otherwise you will be disappointed.

In 2008, Assumeng won again with 14,725, Dungan of the NPP had 5,565 and then Emmanuel Martey Tetteh had 1,876 for the CPP.

In 2012, David was extraordinary again and won with 18,089, Dungan for the NPP had 5,565 surprisingly the people were poised to vote for Emmanuel Martey who left the CPP for the PPP, but they later change their mind he had 5,069. A good work done!

Its appears the NPP have a about 6,000votes that is statics for the constituency for every elections ,so who ever wins needs to do every thing possible to either improve upon it or better still becomes the people choice in the constituency. It is good that the five people are indigenes and with good educational backgrounds. But, So far, two of the contestant have become vibrant, and the people are considering them, Daniel Tei Mensah Dei and Mr. Oyortey, a once board member of Shai rural bank in Dodowa.

Daniel Tei Mensah Dei, once student of Ghana secondary School where he studied general science. He later went to university of education, Winneba and had his first degree in Mathematics. Certificate in Oil and Gas Management from MDPI, postgraduate diploma in management, marketing and entrepreneurship- Center of Creative Initiatives, USA. Microsoft certified professional from GIMPA. He formerly worked with Barclays bank, Teaching Assistant at Regent University College of science and technology and currently he is a mathematics teacher at Tema Secondary School. The young vibrant teacher had a clear vision for his people; he intends to bring fresh ideas on board to develop the constituency, tackle education by setting up an education fund to sponsor needy children in the district. Training for artisans and empowering them to set up their own businesses, he has a sewing house to enable the young ones ; who have interest in fashion go in for training and after empowering them to set up their own businesses.

Mr. Stephen Oyortey obtained his first degree in Psychology from the University of Ghana, master’s degree in Banking and Finance and a chartered banker and once a board member of Shai rural bank. He has work in several banking sectors in the country and his vision is also to tackle education and social intervention programs. These are the two main candidates the delegates are considering and deliberating on until the day.

Though Daniel on the other hand is new to the people, he has managed to win the peoples heart with his door to door campaign and it appears to be working for him. He even goes to the delegate’s farms looking for them.

This young men, has really become what I called indomitable, somehow timeless, able to span the generations; wise, loving, and a completely irresistible mischievousness of spirit.

A massively strong character, combined with a unique natural grace, and an infectious optimism about life itself. Above all, they understood the shai people’s character and their heart belonged to this ancient land and its equally indomitable and funny inhabitants, whom they want to served with confidence, style and reliable dignity hopefully if they gets the nod.

These two men will definitely be the hero and everybody is considering them; so no wonder they decided to take the leadership role in their constituency to serve the people more.

As an indigene myself; I know that Turning and turning in the widening gyre, things have fallen apart in the Shai land. The falcon cannot hear the falconer; because mere anarchy is loosed upon the land and the youth just lamenting; who to save the shai land?

I remember my late aunty; the queen mother once said “as she used to operate a café, she realized that computers and the Internet now speed information around the world so quickly that the experience of change is like being caught up in a tornado. For her advice, to effectively manage change you must anticipate what is coming next, so you can prepare for it. If caught by surprise, you may be in danger of being overwhelmed. And it then drew my attention to the story of a boil frog in a pot of boiling water.

The parable of the boiled frog helps us to understand the key challenge in coping with rapid change.

Suppose you want to boil a frog. How do you do it? You could place the frog into a pot of hot water, but as soon as it feels the heat, it will jump out. So, what can you do? Put a pot of cool water on the stove and then add the frog. Not sensing danger the frog will stay. Next, turn the burner on low to slowly heat the water. As the water warms, the frog relaxes. The warmth feels good. As the water gets hotter it acts like a steam bath draining away energy and deepening the frog’s relaxation. The frog becomes sleepy and has less and less energy while the water is getting hotter and hotter. By the time the frog realizes its danger, the water is beginning to boil, and it is too late to take action. There is neither time nor energy left to do anything. The frog perishes in the boiling water.

What is the moral of the story? Be vigilant. Don’t let unexpected change creep up on you. Don’t become a “boiled frog.” Pay close attention to what is going on around you, so that you can notice when the “water” is getting hot.

Are we at risk of becoming boiled frogs in Shai-Osoduku? Are we aware of what is happening to us, within us in district? Are we able to pause, take care of ourselves and jump out of the pot before we are cooked in the district? Well, I am not a prophet; but I can bet you to expect something different from Shai-Osoduku constituency from both sides of the political diverse, NPP and NDC in the year 2016 and you will remember my article. For now the race is between Daniel Tei Mensah Dei and Oyortey; who is who? Wait and see!

Dr. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu is a registered alternative medical doctor and a PhD student (A.M) –Indian Board of alternative medicines Academy, Kolkata, India. He is the author of the book “catalyst for change in the dangme land” believes and support anything that will transform the dangme land.