Ghanaian actor and politician John Dumelo has reaffirmed his commitment to capturing the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary seat for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming 2024 general elections, calling it a “must-win” battle.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Dumelo expressed confidence in his chances, citing the progress he made in the 2020 elections, where he significantly reduced the vote gap between himself and the sitting New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, from 10,000 to less than 1,900 votes.

“In Ayawaso West Wuogon, 2024 is a must-win. As a parliamentary candidate in 2020, we worked hard to reduce the gap from 10,000 to under 1,900. It’s time to sit. Let’s all pitch in,” Dumelo posted.

Dumelo, who also works as a farmer and social advocate, has officially declared his intention to contest in the NDC’s upcoming primaries to secure the party’s ticket for the constituency.

Adding to the intrigue of the Ayawaso West Wuogon race, Fred Nuamah—a prominent actor and CEO of the Ghana Movie Awards—has also picked up nomination forms to run in the same NDC primaries.

The contest between the two high-profile figures from Ghana’s entertainment industry has generated significant public interest, with political analysts predicting a heated primary battle.

Historically, Ayawaso West Wuogon has been considered a stronghold for the NPP, but Dumelo’s strong showing in 2020 has given the NDC renewed hope. The constituency, which includes Legon, Dzorwulu, and East Legon, has a youthful, educated voter base and is seen as a bellwether for shifting political trends in urban Ghana.

As the race heats up, Dumelo has called on party faithful and constituents to rally behind his bid, promising a more inclusive and grassroots-focused campaign.

If successful, the winner of the NDC primaries will once again face Lydia Seyram Alhassan of the NPP in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched constituency races of the 2024 elections.