Ursula Owusu-Ekuful Announces Possible Departure from Parliament Following Election Defeat

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma West, has indicated that her time in Parliament may be coming to an end after her loss in the 2024 general election. In a reflective and somewhat cryptic post shared on her Facebook page on Saturday, December 14, 2024, Owusu-Ekuful expressed gratitude to her constituents and appeared ready to embrace the next phase of her life.

In her message, she wrote: “Thank you, Ablekuma West!! Sayonara… Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to serve. Next chapter in my life unfolding, so let’s see what He has in store for me. Looking into the future with confidence.” This message signaled her acceptance of the electoral outcome and the potential end of her parliamentary journey, which has spanned over a decade.

Owusu-Ekuful, who represented the New Patriotic Party (NPP), lost her parliamentary seat in a fiercely contested race against Rev. Kweku Addo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The results saw Rev. Addo win with 31,866 votes, while Owusu-Ekuful garnered 26,575 votes. Her defeat marked a significant shift in the political landscape of Ablekuma West, where she had held the seat since 2012.

During her time as MP, Owusu-Ekuful made a notable impact, especially in her role as the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation. Under her leadership, she championed Ghana’s digital transformation, leading initiatives to improve national connectivity and digital infrastructure. She was credited with spearheading policies that aimed to enhance Ghana’s digital economy and boost access to technology across the country.

However, following her electoral defeat, Owusu-Ekuful has been dealing with a difficult period. On December 9, 2024, just days after the election results were announced, a violent attack occurred at both her office and her residence. A group of approximately 15 men stormed the premises, vandalizing property and making off with several valuable items. Among the stolen items were a Nissan Hardbody vehicle, three new motorbikes, a 32-inch Samsung television, a printer, mobile phones, food supplies, two stabilisers, and an undisclosed sum of cash. Additionally, they destroyed security cameras, barbed wire, and the office door. This brazen attack has since prompted an investigation by the police, who were able to recover the stolen vehicle. Authorities have assured that efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Owusu-Ekuful’s parliamentary career, which began in 2012, was marked by her strong advocacy for digital innovation and infrastructure development. Her time in office saw her become a prominent figure in Ghana’s political and digital landscape. She was widely respected for her role in advancing policies that aimed to bridge the technological gap and foster a more digitally connected society. Despite the challenges she faced in her final years in Parliament, including this recent attack, Owusu-Ekuful’s legacy remains significant within the Ghanaian political sphere.

Her loss in the 2024 election has brought an end to what had been a high-profile parliamentary career. In her Facebook post, she also expressed a sense of closure, stating that the next chapter in her life was unfolding, and she was looking forward to what the future holds. This marks the end of an era for Owusu-Ekuful, as she reflects on her tenure in Parliament and the impact she had during her time in office.

In conclusion, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful’s electoral defeat has brought her career in Parliament to a close, following over a decade of public service. While the attack on her properties added to the emotional strain of her defeat, her focus remains on the future, with her message of confidence signaling her readiness to move forward. The loss of this influential political figure will undoubtedly be felt in both her constituency and in the larger Ghanaian political arena.