Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Andrew Agyapa Mercer has been defeated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sekondi Parliamentary Candidate for the 2024 election in a major upset.

Mr Egyapa Mercer, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Sekondi, lost to Blay Nyameke Armah in a keenly contested poll. The NDC first occupied that seat in 1992 with the late Albert Bosomtwi Sam.

Mr Egyapa Mercer polled 11,084 votes, representing 42.94% of the total valid votes, while Blay Nyameke Armah garnered 14,558 votes, representing 56.40% of the votes.

Out of the 25,813 votes cast, 171 ballots were rejected.

Mr Egyapa Mercer first took the seat in 2016 after Papa Owusu Ankomah decided not to go again.

Although unconfirmed, the NDC is also said to have swept other seats from the governing NPP in the Western Region.