BY Daniel Bampoe
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency is facing growing internal divisions following allegations of tribal discrimination, political exclusion and irregularities in its recent constituency executive election.
The disagreement, which has reportedly escalated into physical confrontations among some party members, has exposed deep-seated grievances over political appointments, ethnic representation and control of the party’s grassroots structures.
Aggrieved members, largely identifying with the Ga community, have accused the incumbent Member of Parliament, Faustina Elikplim Akurugu, and other party figures of favouring members of the Ewe ethnic group in key political and administrative appointments at the expense of indigenous Ga stakeholders.
The agitations have brought renewed attention to questions of ethnic balance and political representation in a constituency where communities such as Haatso, Kwabenya, Abokobi, Agbogba and Taifa have significant Ga traditional and cultural identities.
Among those publicly associated with the grievances is Godson Nii Takie, a constituency chairman aspirant, who, alongside other aggrieved stakeholders, has questioned what they describe as the marginalisation of Ga party members despite their contribution to the NDC’s electoral fortunes and grassroots activities.
Ga Stakeholders Question Distribution of Political Positions
The aggrieved members have particularly questioned why the positions of Member of Parliament, Municipal Chief Executive and Municipal Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) are allegedly dominated by individuals from the Ewe community.
They argue that Ga members who have worked to build the party’s support base in the constituency are being overlooked when opportunities for political appointments and leadership positions arise.
The protesters have described the situation as an imbalance that requires urgent attention from the regional and national executives of the NDC.
Some have further demanded that the party consider presenting an indigenous Ga candidate in future parliamentary elections, arguing that such a move would address what they regard as inadequate representation.
Constituency Elections Deepen the Crisis
Beyond the allegations of ethnic favouritism, disputes surrounding the recent constituency executive elections have further intensified the divisions.
Some defeated or dissatisfied aspirants and their supporters have alleged that the electoral process was manipulated to secure victory for a particular faction.
The allegations include claims that ballot boxes were compromised, votes were improperly transferred between boxes and the counting process was manipulated.
Emmanuel Odai Tettey, a vice-chairmanship is among those reported to have accused the MP and the Municipal Chief Executive of playing leading roles in the alleged irregularities.
The aggrieved faction has also alleged that the election process proceeded in disregard of a court injunction.
The dispute has nevertheless heightened mistrust among competing factions, with some members questioning the credibility of the internal electoral process and demanding intervention by the party’s regional and national executives.
MP Accused of Undermining Party Unity
The controversy has also placed the Dome-Kwabenya MP, Elikplim Akurugu, at the centre of criticism from sections of the party. Some aggrieved party figures have accused her of failing to unite the constituency’s various political and ethnic interests.
Branch chairman Nana Ayisi has reportedly described the MP as a “danger to unity”, arguing that her position requires her to bring party members together rather than deepen divisions.
Other protesters have accused her of influencing local party operations and appointments in ways they believe disadvantage sections of the party.
The MP’s husband has also been mentioned by protesting members, who allege that he is involved in the internal political arrangements and decisions that have generated the controversy.
Threats of Defection
The growing discontent has reportedly prompted some aggrieved members to threaten to leave the NDC if the party fails to address their concerns.
The disgruntled members warn that continued dissatisfaction over political appointments, ethnic representation and internal elections could weaken the party’s grassroots mobilisation efforts in the constituency.
Their concerns are particularly significant because constituency structures and branch-level mobilisation remain important to the organisation of political parties and their ability to maintain electoral support.
The demand for what the protesters describe as fair representation also presents the party’s leadership with the task of addressing grievances without allowing ethnic identity to become the defining basis of political participation.
MP’s Camp Points to Constituency Activities
While the accusations have generated public discussion, the MP’s camp has been reported to have rejected suggestions of deliberate ethnic discrimination, with individuals associated with her side pointing to relationships across the different ethnic groups.
Akurugu has also continued her constituency engagements and publicised community interventions amid the controversy.
On October 30, 2026, she reportedly led an emergency relief effort for victims of a fire outbreak at the Taifa Railway Line, where more than 300 wooden structures, shops and homes were said to have been destroyed.
She has also been involved in efforts to prevent developers from encroaching on a retention pond along the Ashongman Pure Water Road, while her camp has highlighted road rehabilitation and streetlight installation projects, including works along the Transition–Atomic Roundabout stretch.
These activities have featured in the MP’s public-facing constituency work, although they do not, on their own, resolve the specific allegations raised by aggrieved party members.
