Ewurabena Aubynn, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Ghana’s Ablekuma North constituency, issued a strong condemnation of electoral violence following a contentious rerun marked by unrest and reported attacks on political figures and journalists.
Speaking days after tensions flared in 19 polling stations during the July 11 rerun, Ms. Aubynn expressed regret over the incidents and extended an apology to all victims, irrespective of political affiliation.
“Regardless of who was attacked, I think electoral violence should be ruled out of our processes,” Ms. Aubynn said in an interview with 3FM’s Sunrise. “I am sorry this had to happen to my fellow Ghanaians. I do apologise for the attack on anyone who was a victim.”
Ms. Aubynn, who ran on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), secured victory over the New Patriotic Party’s Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie in a closely watched race. The rerun, ordered after an earlier disputed primary, was marred by isolated outbreaks of violence that drew widespread criticism from civil society groups.
Pledging a new era of inclusive representation, the MP-elect said her mandate would be driven by accountability and responsiveness to constituents. “Ablekuma North will have its fair share of good representation in Parliament and a voice that will channel their issues,” she said.
Ms. Aubynn also promised to tackle youth unemployment in the constituency, advocating for job creation and entrepreneurial training programs aimed at reducing dependency on election-time handouts.
“I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders to provide the youth with jobs, startup skills, so that they do not have to wait for another four years for someone to give them GHC50 to vote for them,” she said, referencing the entrenched practice of vote-buying that has plagued Ghanaian elections.
