As the country prepares to decide the fate of its political leadership on December 7, voters need to reflect on important issues before making their final decision. In the parliamentary elections, and Awutu Senya East for instance, there is no doubt that the current member of Parliament, Mavis Hawa Koomson has become stale, and oblivious to the most current political, social, economic and cultural philosophies that the most progressive members of parliament are churning out and executing.

It has been said that the level of enlightenment of a society must not be judged by the conditions of life of its strongest members, but rather by the conditions of the weakest.

In Ghana, it’s the other way round, which is why the constituents of Awutu Senya East ought to help us end this stagnation and kleptocracy by taking a momentous step of retiring their inefficient and tired member of parliament.

Essentially, we all just have to realise that the time for meritocracy has come and is here to stay. Indeed, the old and tired political nepotism practised by Ghana’s elite, both traditional and business, must give way to a more objective, merit-based system. That’s how nations unearth the best leaders.  We will be circum-ambulating in the desert of penury, poverty, and backwardness forever if we fail to admit this fact and act accordingly.

And who can undertake this Herculean task of bringing the people of Awutu Senya East into the 21st Century? I strongly believe that Phillis Naa Koryoo is a powerful metaphor for the new generation of Ghanaians who are ready and willing to oversee this transition of governance systems.

The Awutu Senya East constituents have only one option for an MP for the 2024 elections. And Phyllis Naa Koryoo now seems more likely than Mavis Hawa Koomson.

In stating this probable view, I am not imagining some outlandish scenario, such as Naa Koryoo flouncing off and winning without a contest. All I am saying is that Naa Koryoo is much more likely than Hawa Koomson to enhance the fortunes of the people of Awutu Senya East.

There are scores of reasons why Naa Koryoo is poised to become the next member of parliament for the Awutu Senya East constituency. These include decades of experience in youth activism and political participation. Her name recognition, charisma, stature, credibility, personality and speaking ability. Her political astuteness and the fact that she has a strong youth appeal. When we break down each reason, it will be easy to see that Naa Koryoo is indeed the best bet for the Awutu Senya East constituency.

Oh yes, Naa Koryoo will be a transformative leader – In the years preceding her candidature as a parliamentary candidate, Naa Koryoo has proven her ability to move beyond politics as usual by reaching across the aisle to work with the ordinary people across the length and breadth of Awutu Senya and Ghana for that matter... She has demonstrated by her actions that she has both the wisdom and the tenacity to follow through on progressive projects, including successful bipartisan collaborations. Actions speak louder than words. Over the last four years, Naa Koryoo has bravely transformed the NDC in Awutu Senya East and showed the country (and the world) that the youth have a higher calling than merely remaining in the shadows of the usual African deference to gerontology.

I trust Naa Koryoo's judgment and experience – From her ideas on economic policy to her ideas on education and health care, from foreign relations and national politics to civil rights, I believe Naa Koryoo has both well-thought-out policies and the necessary experience in moving her progressive ideas from thought to action through concrete legislation. She appears to possess the tools to confront the myriad and daunting problems. It has come as no surprise her involvement in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and poverty reduction at different levels in different communities in Awutu Senya East.

Naa Koryoo is more seasoned in manoeuvring our very complex political systems to bring about needed changes at Awutu Senya East - She is an intelligent and tenacious woman. She is self-made, and the epitome of the tried, tested and workaholic - She certainly has the wherewithal, the stature, the credibility, the personality and the sincerity to lead.

Naa Koryoo can relate to anybody from anywhere, be they child or adult, male or female, black or white, educated or uneducated, northerner or southerner, westerner or easterner, mediocre or talented. She can inspire a new generation to new heights of social responsibility with her exemplary biography.

It must also be admitted that she is well-liked and has a reputation for being affable and charming, and most constituents and Ghanaians for that matter – seem to have a soft spot for her as a result of her philanthropic work.

More importantly, we know Naa Koryoo just like any other human being isn't perfect, but then all we really crave is an honest man – or – woman, who will do an honest job and not continue to sleep on the job.

The people of Awutu Senya East need an MP with exceptional capabilities and a policy brain. I am not talking about any high-profile flip-flopper as the current occupant of the seat. I am talking about someone who must necessarily be able to lead and elevate the conversation and also engage in the contest of ideas in the open marketplace. Someone who not only has a steady hand and is a consensus builder, but who also is a strong leader and who has faith in the greatness of what the Awutu Senya constituency has to offer even in the most trying times.

Indeed, the people of Awutu East must necessarily settle on someone with the ability to transcend generational, and partisan divisions, someone with a thoughtful approach to weighty issues and a message of hope  - Someone with a reputation, experience, earthy charm, and style - Someone who brings political savvy and fighting qualities to the table.

Interaction with the constituents of Awutu Senya East shows that Naa Koryoo has been offering concrete programs and ideas. But then, most of the current MP's efforts lately have focused on offering reasons why Naa Koryoo is not a good choice. In other words, Naa Koryoo has been forward-looking while Hawa Koomson has gone negative. Yes, Naa Koryoo is untested in terms of parliamentary politics. But given the choice between Naa Koryoo or Hawa Koomson, the question is who would be best for Awutu Senya East.

In other elections, voters have complained of having to choose between two bad candidates. That is not the case this time. The constituency is fortunate to have a good candidate and a clear choice.

Awutu Senya must rise and even so, they cannot wager the destiny of the constituency on the appeals of scripted speeches, and impractical promises, which will be shelved just after an election is done, and the winner takes office.

The Hawa Koomson era has bumbled from non-performance to non-performance for 12 years. The constituency has to move on and offer an alternative to the underperforming Hawa Koomson. She is desperate to hang on to power despite her failures but the voters are disenchanted.

Forget all the dirty politics going on. Awutu Senya East have only one option for MPs on December 7 - The constituency needs resuscitating change like a new baby needs that first breath of air. Awutu Senya East constituency ought to seek a little inspiration, a lifting of the spirit and a sense of renewal. Naa Koryoo is the perfect antithesis of those things.

If the Awutu Senya constituency wants a future where leaders respond to challenges with judgment and principle, rather than panic and rashness, they will elect Naa Koryoo. I recommend they do so - She represents the best chance for Awutu Senya East to make a clean break with the failed policies of the past and begin to restore the hope and promise of the people.

Ghanaians know the NDC can do better and they want that choice. Ghana’s best days are yet to come and the people of Awutu Senya East must put their best foot forward for the 2024 election.

To you, Naa Koryoo, I say this: go for it, brave soul, and pull no punches. Whether you discover the new world or not, you will have made an indelible statement.

I shall return.

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Dela Cofie is a communications consultant and researcher specialising in elections and voting systems.