Former Manhyia North MP Collins Amankwah has made allegations that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is quietly financing an independent candidate to seize the Asante Akyem North seat. This development comes as the current MP, OK Frimpong, remains in detention in the Netherlands, fighting extradition to the United States. Amankwah claims the NDC is searching for a candidate to contest the seat as an independent, with the party ready to provide significant sums of money to fund the campaign.
The Asante Akyem North seat, currently held by OK Frimpong, is widely regarded as a stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Amankwah argued that this makes the seat a strategic target for the NDC, particularly if Frimpong is unable to defend it himself while in custody abroad. He claimed that the NDC's public statements about wanting the MP rescued do not match what is happening behind the scenes.
Frimpong was arrested by Dutch security officials at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on May 10, 2026, in connection with allegations of romance scams and money laundering. He remains in detention after two attempts to secure bail were rejected by Dutch authorities. The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, disclosed that both a substantive bail application and a subsequent appeal were turned down.
Amankwah also criticized the state's handling of Frimpong's case, saying that the level of effort he expected the government to invest in securing the MP's release has not materialized. He argued that if the NDC genuinely wanted to help Frimpong, it would need to show that commitment through action rather than public statements alone.
If Amankwah's allegations prove accurate, the fight over Asante Akyem North would carry consequences beyond one constituency. A credible, well-funded independent candidate could split or overturn the NPP's traditional hold on the seat, altering the balance of power in Parliament. This development could have significant implications for Ghana's politics, particularly at a time when Frimpong's own political future hangs on the outcome of extradition proceedings in the Netherlands.
The uncertainty surrounding the Asante Akyem North seat may lead to a contest shaped less by local issues than by a national tussle over who controls the seat while Frimpong remains abroad and unable to represent his constituents in Parliament. Voters in the constituency may face an election influenced by national politics rather than local concerns.
The NDC has not responded publicly to Amankwah's claims, and there is no independent confirmation of a funded candidate search. The sources do not indicate when, or whether, Frimpong's extradition case will be resolved, nor do they specify a timeline for any by-election or independent candidacy.
Key points
- Former MP Collins Amankwah alleges the NDC is financing an independent candidate to contest the Asante Akyem North seat.
- The seat is a strategic target for the NDC due to its status as an NPP stronghold.
- The outcome may impact the balance of power in Parliament and Ghana's international reputation.
