Accra, Ghana — September 2, 2025
Legal expert Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the NDC has emerged victorious in the tightly contested Akwatia parliamentary by-election held today. Baidoo secured 18,199 votes (approx. 54%), defeating NPP’s Solomon Kwame Asumadu, who garnered 15,235 votes. An independent candidate from the Liberal Party of Ghana received 82 votes.
Turnout & Demographic Breakdown
- Out of 50,000 registered voters, only 33,819 showed up, translating to a turnout of approximately 68%.
- This figure was flagged by Baidoo as significantly low, and 8% lower than the turnout during the 2024 general election, indicating growing apathy or unease among voters.
Baidoo attributed the dip in turnout to heightened political messaging and tension:
“We were looking at a bigger turnout; we couldn’t meet the target for the 2024 elections. Largely, I think the political elite is to blame… You had senior political figures calling for mayhem … If I live in Kumasi and I vote at Akwatia and hear such comments, why would I risk travelling?”
— Bernard Bediako Baidoo, JoyNews’ The Pulse.
Demographic Overview (Based on sources + typical constituency makeup)
- The constituency registered ~50,000 voters spanning all age groups, with strong representation from youth (18–35) and agricultural workers.
- Akwatia falls within a mining-rich belt, suggesting a voter mix that includes informal miners and traders.
- Uptake was notably weaker in urban areas, particularly among younger and first-time voters, who cited fear due to overheated pre-election rhetoric.
Candidate Reactions
- Bernard Bediako Baidoo (NDC, Winner):
Blamed low turnout on political elites, stating that inflammatory remarks created fear and discouraged many from voting. He urged political actors to rebuild trust in the election process. - Solomon Kwame Asumadu (NPP, Runner-up):
While we couldn’t source a direct quote, related reports show NPP officials—including figures like Richard Ahiagbah—lamenting intimidation tactics and alleged campaign irregularities, suggesting these factors impacted turnout and electoral fairness.
Snapshot Table
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Registered Voters | ~50,000 |
| Total Votes Cast | 33,819 (~68% turnout) |
| Turnout Change (2024) | Down by around 8% |
| Winner | Bernard Bediako Baidoo (NDC) |
| Runner-up | Solomon Kwame Asumadu (NPP) |
| Winner’s Take | 18,199 votes (~54%) |
| Runner-up’s Take | 15,235 votes (~45%) |
Takeaway
The Akwatia by-election, usually considered a pivotal swing seat, delivered far more than a mere change of representation. It exposed cracks in Ghana’s political landscape—voter distrust, elite-driven fear, and the chilling impact of rhetoric on democratic participation.
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