Legal practitioner Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has won the Akwatia by-election, reclaiming the seat from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr. Baidoo secured 18,199 votes, representing about 54 percent of total ballots cast. His closest contender, Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the NPP, garnered 15,235 votes, while Owusu Patrick of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) received 82 votes.
The victory gives the NDC control of the crucial swing constituency, reversing the NPP’s slim 5-4 parliamentary representation advantage in Akwatia since 1992. Mr. Baidoo’s triumph follows a keenly contested party primary in August, where he defeated Erasmus Koney Ali and former MP Henry Yiadom Boakye to secure the NDC ticket.
In the 2024 general election, the late Ernest Yaw Kumi of the NPP had captured the seat with 19,269 votes, defeating Mr. Boakye of the NDC, who polled 17,206. The by-election was necessitated by Mr. Kumi’s passing earlier this year.
The exercise was generally peaceful, though not without incidents. Police arrested a man accused of tearing down campaign posters at a polling station, averting what could have disrupted voting. At the Akwatia lorry station in the Vawaso Electoral Area, a confrontation broke out between NPP’s Third National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Osman Masawudu, and an escort of NDC Vice Chairman Chief Sofo Azorka. Police on the ground intervened swiftly to restore order.
Mr. Baidoo’s win is seen as a significant morale boost for the NDC ahead of the 2028 general elections, particularly as Akwatia has long been considered a bellwether constituency.
Source – myjoyonline.com
