NDC Wins Akwatia By-Election as NPP Vows to Bounce Back in 2028

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has captured the Akwatia parliamentary seat in a fiercely contested by-election held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The party’s candidate, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, was declared winner after securing 18,199 votes against 15,235 votes garnered by the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Solomon Asumadu.

The election, which was conducted across 119 polling stations, recorded 33,518 valid votes cast. Returning Officer Eric Gyamfi officially declared Mr. Baidoo as Member of Parliament-elect, cementing NDC’s dominance in the 9th Parliament with 184 seats, compared to 87 for the NPP and 4 for Independents.

The by-election was occasioned by the passing of former MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who died after a short illness.

NPP lawmaker for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, conceded defeat and commended party executives for their efforts in the by-election. In a Facebook post, he urged patience in dealing with the Electoral Commission (EC) and cautioned against premature claims that could stoke tensions.

“Congratulations to the entire team that were deployed by the party in Akwatia. You guys did an impressive job. Better luck next time. And to the NDC and the MP-elect, I say ayekoo for fighting hard to win the seat. We are going back to the drawing board to do our homework and come back stronger in 2028,” he wrote.

The polls were largely peaceful despite pockets of disturbances. One person was arrested after chaos erupted at the NDC’s office, where campaign posters of the winning candidate were destroyed. Additionally, a scuffle broke out at the Akwatia Lorry polling station between NPP’s third National Vice Chairman, Osman Masawudu, and NDC’s first National Vice Chairman, Awudu Sofo Azorka.

More than 5,500 police officers were deployed to maintain order, with the Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, touring voting centers to assure citizens of a peaceful exercise.