70% Poor/Very Poor Performance of Bole-Bamboi MP: The True State of Affairs or a Case of “Incumbency Fatigue”?
The September 2025 National Tracking Poll by Global InfoAnalytics led by Mussa Dankwah on the performance of some Members of Parliament (MP) has reignited debate across Ghana’s political space, inviting political commentators and observers to the discussion table. As expected, critics have been quick to dismiss it—questioning sample size, methodology, and the credibility of respondents. But beyond the noise lies an uncomfortable truth: the report is a mirror. A mirror that reflects the widening gap between promises made and progress delivered.
The poll’s revelations of the Savannah region and precisely the Bole-Bamboi Constituency (for the purpose of this engagement) which is my home constituency and the President’s backyard, raises eyebrows and raises deeply-seated concerns within me as a constituent. The numbers simply sting.
This should not be seen as trivial statistics, it’s a cry of frustration. It’s the echo of unmet expectations, fading hopes, and an increasing sense that the once fiery bond between the people and their representative is slipping away.
But wait for a moment: is this a fair reflection of reality or merely a case of incumbency fatigue, where voters grow tired of familiar faces, no matter their record?
Understanding “Incumbency Fatigue”
Incumbency fatigue is a political paradox. It happens when voters simply want change—not because their leader has failed—but because they’ve seen the same name, the same face, and heard the same voice for too long. Fatigue sets in.
Hon Alhaji Yusif Sulemana is currently serving his third term, the longest tenure any elected MP has served the people of Bole-Bamboi, including H.E John Dramani Mahama, whose winning percentage for the NDC sharply declined during his final parliamentary election in 2004 (from 81.88% in 1996, to 67.71% in 2000, and 61% in 2004).
Yet, Hon. Sulemana’s story took a different turn. In 2024, he reversed the downward slide, winning a resounding 78.17%—the second-highest victory ever recorded for the NDC in the constituency (excluding the 100% endorsement in 1992 where there was no election). On paper, this was a political triumph. In reality, however, the mood on the ground is beginning to tell a different story as the polls report (check first comment).
How does a man who secured nearly eight in ten votes less than a year ago suddenly face a 70% disapproval rating? Could it be mere public impatience or a signal that the people’s patience has truly run out?
The Harsh Reality on the Ground
To understand the frustration, one only needs to walk the streets of Bole or the dusty paths of Mandari, Dakrupe, Jama, Tinga etc. The signs of neglect are not abstract, they are physical.
* No public library.
* No modern public toilet facilities.
* Dilapidated schools and clinics.
* Unfinished road networks
* Electricity extensions frozen in time etc.
These are not political talking points. They are the lived reality of ordinary people who feel left behind even as they continue to vote with unshaken loyalty.
For many constituents, the slow or almost invisible pace of development in the constituency in the last 8 years was attributed to the fact that Hon. Sulemana served under an NPP administration. A government that failed Ghanaians by not fulfilling the $1 million per constituency per year promise, and the failure of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to visit the constituency of his opponent in eight years to understand its challenges, even though the DCE (Veronica Heming) did her best with the occasional releases of the DACF.
Following a decline in parliamentary votes from 73.85% in 2016 to 67.68% in 2020, many constituents overwhelmingly voted for the NDC again in 2024, hoping that when their son—the President—assumed office, the constituency would finally see visible development. Yet, with the NDC back in power, and with both the President and the MP/Deputy Minister hailing from Bole-Bamboi, the excuses are running out. 11 months (early days yet) into a government led by “our own,” the question has shifted from “when will help come?” to “why is nothing changing?”
Could this be the reason 70% of participants in the polls think the MP is performing poorly or maybe incumbency fatigue is setting in already?
As a political science minor, I learned in POL 101 that the primary role of an MP is lawmaking. Yet, the quest for political power and the promises made during campaigns have blurred the lines between a lawmaker and a developer.
While some believe the poll results reflect the reality on the ground, I view them as a wake-up call for the MP to justify the 78.17% confidence reposed in him. Within the party, divisions from the last NDC constituency executives elections, parliamentary primaries, the dissatisfaction of some youth members, and controversies surrounding the appointment of the MCE have reportedly caused disaffection for the MP and prolly a reason why random people in the constituency who are more likely to be NDC sympathizers may rate the MP poorly.
The Way Forward
If Hon. Yussif Sulemana intends to seek a fourth term or have better ratings from subsequent polls, there is an urgent need to mend cracks within the party’s local structures. Failure to do so could spell disaster, as an independent candidate within the party might emerge to split the NDC vote paving the way for the NPP to capture the seat for the first time, especially if NPP field a strong contender capable of increasing their electoral fortunes to 40 or 45%, or even someone with the influence of Abu Jinapor of the Damongo Constituency.
As a student of media and communications, I can confidently say that there is poor publicity and visibility of the MP’s work. This communication gap has weakened his connection with constituents. I recommend that he builds a strategic communication team to promote his initiatives and increase his physical presence in the constituency, especially among the youth. As a Muslim, I understand that Islam discourages publicizing one’s good deeds for it may lead to pride or arrogance. However, politics plays by a different rulebook. That is why leaders like Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Dr. Frank Amoakohene continue to win the admiration of Ghanaians, even beyond their constituencies and regions respectively. Publicity is very key.
Importantly, this is the moment for Bole-Bamboi’s development. With the President as a former MP, a native and royal, and Hon. Sulemana serving as a deputy minister, there is no justification for failure. The people’s unwavering support for the NDC over the past 33 years deserves tangible rewards. Failing to deliver development within the next three years will not only reduce the party’s numbers but also serve as a painful lesson that posterity will not overlook.
To conclude, I believe the people of Bole-Bamboi have given their loyalty, their votes, and their trust for decades. What they seek now is not speeches, slogans, or promises but visible transformation. The 70% disapproval rating is not just a number; it is a warning shot. If our leaders do not rise to meet the urgency of this moment, the same people who once carried them to power will carry them out. Development delayed is development denied and the time to act is now.
Matthew 11:15, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely mine and do not represent the views of any institution or organization I may be affiliated with.
Source: Issah Zakariah Jnr (Journalist)
