Tema city Located on the coastal belt, it is one of the two constituencies under the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA).
The Eastern Naval Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, which is next to the Chemu Lagoon, can also be found in the constituency.
The only alternative route through the Manhean cemetery, via VALCO, is currently in bad shape, and residents have called for its reconstruction to improve mobility for road users.
Tema Newtown Beach Pulse Ghana Fishing is the main occupation in the constituency and a visit to the Landing Beach at Manhean would reveal several canoes docked at the wharf.
Historical context Tema East has not consistently aligned with any one party over the years, making it a true swing constituency.
In the 2012 elections, the NPP won the seat, but the NDC reclaimed it in 2020 with Isaac Ashai Odamtten as the MP.
NPP's strengths: Infrastructure and economic policies The NPP has built a reputation in Tema East for advancing infrastructure projects and implementing economic policies that appeal to the middle class and business owners.
Tema Community 1 Pulse Ghana Additionally, the NPP's focus on industrial growth and job creation aligns with the aspirations of many residents in this industrial city.
NDC's appeal: Social programmes and grassroots support On the other hand, the NDC has traditionally garnered support in Tema East by emphasising social welfare programs and maintaining strong grassroots connections.
The party will likely capitalise on any perceived shortcomings of the NPP government, particularly in managing the economy and addressing the needs of lower-income residents.
Key Issues: Economy, infrastructure, and social welfare The 2024 election in Tema East will likely hinge on a few key issues: the state of the local economy, the effectiveness of infrastructure development, and the adequacy of social welfare programs.
Additionally, the rising cost of living, particularly the prices of fuel and food, will play a significant role in shaping voter sentiment.
Since 1996, the NPP has won the seat six times, leaving the NDC with one victory in 2020, while the defunct NCP won the parliamentary seat in 1992.
In 1996, the NPP, with the late Ishmael Ashitey as its candidate, garnered 48.2 per cent of the votes to defeat NDC's Nii Adjei Larbie, who had 43.1 per cent of the votes.
Ishmael Ashitey retained the parliamentary seat in 2000 after securing 48.1 per cent of the votes as against NDC's Ebenezer Anuwa-Amarh's 29.6 per cent of the total votes cast.
Ishmael Ashitey got the nod for the third time in 2004, this time recording 48.1 per cent of the votes as opposed to NDC's Emelia Kai Adjei's 31.6 of the votes.
The NPP then transferred the baton to Samuel Evans Ashong Narh in the 2008 polls and he obtained 49.4 per cent of the votes, while the NDC's Robert Kempes Papa Nii Ofosuware did 40.3 per cent.
Isaac Ashai Odamtten, NDC candidate Pulse Ghana The outcome of that election, some election watchers in the constituency believed, hinged on the last-minute arrest of the NDC parliamentary candidate; Isaac Ashai Odamtten, for failing to meet a bail condition he was given by an Accra court on counts of alleged embezzlement, while he was the MCE for Tema.
For them, the arrest, detention and release less than five days before the 2020 elections earned some sympathy votes for the NDC although some NDC faithful in the constituency objected to that, insisting that the works of Mr Odamtten as a former MCE did the trick for the party.
Presidential elections In the presidential elections, the trend indicates that since 1992 the NPP has won the constituency five times, leaving the NDC with three victories in 1992, 2012 and 2020.
Kufuor of the NPP had 50.7 per cent, while Jerry John Rawlings secured 47.0 per cent.
5 per cent in the 2000 election, while NDC's John Evans Mills did 31.9 per cent.
The recently constructed Manhean District Police Headquarters operationalised during the tenure of the NPP government.
Yohane Amarh Ashitey, NPP candidate Pulse Ghana The recently constructed Manhean District Police Headquarters operationalised during the tenure of the NPP government.
The NPP repeated the feat in 2004 when J.A.
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo maintained the NPP's hold of Tema East when he won the 2008 elections with 53.4 per cent, while NDC ended the polls with 44.
The trend, however, changed in favour of the NDC in 2012 with John Mahama polling 50.7 per cent of the votes, while the NPP did 48.4 per cent.
But the tables turned in 2016 when NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo regained the hold on the constituency with 54.9 per cent as against the NDC's 44.4 per cent.
The NDC's John Mahama made a good showing in 2020, winning the race in the constituency with 51.2 per cent as opposed to NPP's Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's 47.8 per cent of the votes.
With the NDC presenting John Mahama and NPP parading Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on December 7, 2024, will the NPP entrench its dominance over the Tema East Constituency or the NDC is going to spring a surprise?