Former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has projected victory for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming Akwatia by-election, scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
He expressed confidence that the constituency would remain under the control of the NPP, despite the political and security tensions that have surrounded the seat in recent years.
“I am very confident that we should be able to retain the Akwatia seat for the New Patriotic Party. The constituency should still be blue,” Dr. Boakye-Danquah stated, while emphasising that the party had mobilised its grassroots and maintained a strong organisational presence in the constituency.
The by-election was triggered by the death of Hon. Ernest Kumi, the NPP Member of Parliament for Akwatia. His passing left the seat vacant, only months after he secured legal clarity over his disputed parliamentary mandate. Dr. Boakye-Danquah noted that winning the by-election would not only consolidate the NPP’s strength but also honour the memory of the late MP.
“I believe we should retain the Akwatia seat for the New Patriotic Party, in memory of Ernest Kumi,” he stressed, adding that the young legislator’s short parliamentary career had been cut short just as he overcame the courtroom battles that initially challenged his mandate.
Concerns about electoral violence have long trailed elections in Akwatia, but Dr. Boakye-Danquah welcomed reassurances from security agencies that the by-election would be incident-free. He highlighted the commitment of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons in particular, saying that strict measures were being implemented to prevent weapons from entering polling centres.
“The Small Arms Commission has assured that there will be no sight of arms or cutlasses to cause harm during the election,” he emphasised. He also urged constituents not to be deterred by the heavy security presence in the area.
“I want to appeal to the people of Akwatia that the presence of the security and the Electoral Commission is to ensure that the election is incident-free and peaceful because of the history of past incidents in Akwatia. No one should be afraid to come out and vote. Do not be intimidated at all”
Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, Former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security
Dr. Boakye-Danquah called on constituents to turn out in large numbers to cast their ballots for the NPP candidate, Solomon Asumadu, arguing that the election was crucial for the party’s unity and momentum. “You can return to your work after voting, but I urge all constituents to come out in your numbers,” he appealed.
NPP’s New Variable
While focusing on the by-election, Dr. Boakye-Danquah also reflected on the broader future of the NPP heading into the 2028 general elections.
He criticised the performance of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who led the party into the 2024 polls but failed to secure victory, particularly in constituencies across the Northern Region that were expected to form the backbone of his support.
“The facts are clear, Bawumia could not secure victory in key Northern constituencies,” he argued, adding that the results highlighted the limitations of relying on religious or tribal affiliations in Ghanaian politics.
Instead, he insisted that the NPP must introduce “a new variable” to its leadership calculations, pointing to Kennedy Agyapong as a candidate with the ability to re-energise the party and offer a new strategic direction.
“The variable that must be introduced into the NPP after January 31 is Kennedy Agyapong,” Dr. Boakye-Danquah said. “Ghana’s politics has never been about religion or tribe – it is about a leader who can win.”
With just days to the by-election, Dr. Boakye-Danquah reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that the exercise is free of violence and intimidation, calling for accountability from all political actors. “We do not want a by-election where people have to die,” he cautioned, underscoring the need for political leaders and their supporters to respect the sanctity of the vote and allow the people of Akwatia to decide freely.
The Electoral Commission has confirmed September 2, 2025, as the date of the by-election, while the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has assured the public of the Ghana Police Service’s readiness to provide a safe and secure environment for the process.
For Dr. Boakye-Danquah, the polls would serve not only as a test of the NPP’s grassroots mobilisation but also as a moment to strengthen public confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
He reiterated that Akwatia remained a symbolic battleground, and the outcome would shape the political momentum of both the NPP and its rivals ahead of the 2028 general elections.
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