AKWATIA, Ghana — In a fiercely contested by-election that gripped national attention, Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has emerged victorious, securing the parliamentary seat for Akwatia and delivering a strategic win for the governing party.
According to certified results released by the Electoral Commission, Baidoo polled 18,199 votes, outpacing his closest rival, Kwame Asumadu of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), who garnered 15,235 votes. Owusu Patrick of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) trailed with 82 votes. Out of 34,122 total ballots cast, 33,819 were deemed valid, with 303 rejected.
The by-election, held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, was necessitated by the passing of incumbent MP Ernest Yaw Kumi in July. Voting took place across 119 polling stations, with counting commencing immediately after polls closed at 5 p.m.
Baidoo’s triumph sparked jubilant celebrations across Akwatia, as NDC supporters flooded the streets in a show of grassroots enthusiasm. The constituency, long regarded as a political swing zone, has now tilted back toward the NDC, reinforcing the party’s dominance just seven months into its current administration.
Political analysts have described the outcome as a bellwether for the 2028 general elections. “This is more than a local victory,” said one commentator. “It’s a reaffirmation of the NDC’s national strategy and its resonance with voters in competitive constituencies.”
Baidoo, a lawyer by profession and former party organizer, now steps into parliament with a mandate to continue development initiatives in the area. In his victory remarks, he pledged to honor the legacy of his predecessor while accelerating infrastructure, education, and youth empowerment programs.
The significance of the win extends beyond Akwatia. With the NDC already holding a supermajority,184 out of 276 seats,Baidoo’s addition brings the tally to 185, further consolidating the party’s legislative leverage. For the NPP, the result underscores the urgency of recalibrating its outreach in swing constituencies ahead of future contests.
As the dust settles in Akwatia, attention now turns to the upcoming by-election in Tamale Central, scheduled for September 30. But for now, the NDC basks in a victory that is both symbolic and strategic,a reminder that in Ghanaian politics, every seat counts, and every vote echoes far beyond the ballot box.
With Akwatia secured, the road to 2028 just got clearer—and louder—for the NDC.
Ruth Abla ADZORLOLO
