The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has formally accepted defeat in the Akwatia by-election, acknowledging the outcome as a reflection of the will of the people. Eastern Regional Secretary of the party, Tony Osei-Adjei, expressed regret over the loss, particularly in light of the late Ernest Kumi’s dedication to the constituency.
“We are a bit disappointed because that wasn’t what we expected, but the constituents have spoken so we take it in good faith,” said Osei-Adjei.
The by-election, held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, was triggered by the death of Hon. Ernest Kumi, the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia. Hon. Kumi had faced legal battles during his tenure, and according to Osei-Adjei, the party’s inability to retain the seat was a disservice to his legacy.
“To some extent we disappointed him because he has lost his life in trying to maintain the seat. He won, he has ran every bit of his life chasing to restore his honour and dignity to his constituents”
Tony Osei-Adjei, NPP Eastern Regional Secretary
Hon. Kumi’s struggle to clear his name and hold onto the seat had taken a toll, especially after a Supreme Court ruling against him, according to Osei-Adjei.
The Electoral Commission’s certified results for the by-election showed Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) securing 18,199 votes.
His closest rival, Solomon Asumadu of the NPP, garnered 15,235 votes, while Owusu Patrick of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) trailed with 82 votes. Out of 34,122 total ballots cast, 33,819 were valid and 303 rejected.
Following his victory, Bediako thanked constituents for their trust and attributed the win to the NDC’s message and grassroots engagement.
“It was borne out of the good job we have done. After engaging the people, we read their reactions towards the message we gave them. We saw that it had really imbibed; they gave us hope, which has resulted in what we are seeing today”
Bernard Bediako Baidoo, MP-Elect for Akwatia
His remarks came amid jubilant celebrations by NDC supporters, who flooded the streets of Akwatia in song and dance.
Vote Buying Allegations
Despite the peaceful acceptance of results by the NPP, allegations of vote buying have cast a shadow over the election.
Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi, Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, accused the NDC of using financial incentives to sway voters. “Almost every voter who wanted money was paid about GHS 500 – 1,000 by the NDC,” Hon. Baafi alleged.
He claimed that the ruling party distributed items such as hair dryers and spraying machines, and even stationed thugs to guard distribution tables, aided by the inaction of the police. “Given the work we put in there was no way we should have lost,” he added.
These claims by the New Juaben South MP have not been independently verified, and the NDC has yet to respond publicly.
Akwatia remains a politically strategic constituency in Ghana’s Eastern Region. Historically alternating between NPP and NDC control, the seat has seen nine elections, with the NPP winning five and the NDC four. The competitive nature of the constituency made the by-election a high-stakes contest for both parties.
Both the NDC and NPP invested heavily in the campaign, deploying significant resources and manpower. Voting was conducted across 119 polling stations and monitored by party agents, election officials, security personnel, and independent observers.
The peaceful concession by the NPP has been viewed as a testament to Ghana’s democratic maturity, even amid lingering frustrations and allegations.
As Ghana continues under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the Akwatia by-election underscores the evolving dynamics of electoral politics and the enduring importance of public trust.
READ ALSO: China Flexes Military Muscle In Show Of Growing Clout
