GhanaWeb Feature by George Ayisi

The Akwatia Constituency in Ghana’s Eastern Region, a diamond-rich hub in the Denkyembour District, is set for a critical parliamentary by-election on September 2, 2025, following the death of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi, on July 7, 2025.

The contest features the NPP’s Solomon Kwame Asumadu against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, in a constituency with a volatile electoral history.

Since 1992, the NPP has held a narrow 5-4 edge over the NDC in parliamentary elections, making Akwatia a swing seat and a bellwether for national trends. This GhanaWeb feature details the historical election results alongside key dynamics and analysis shaping this pivotal race.

Akwatia’s parliamentary elections under Ghana’s Fourth Republic have been a microcosm of the fierce NDC-NPP rivalry, shaped by its mining economy and diverse voter base.

The seat has alternated between the two parties, often mirroring national presidential outcomes. The constituency’s diamond mining economy drives voter priorities, with the NPP’s pro-business policies resonating in some years, while the NDC capitalises on economic discontent in others.

Electoral controversies, notably in 2008 and 2024, have marked Akwatia’s history, heightening the stakes for the upcoming by-election.

NPP withdraws from Tamale Central by-election

NDC’s uncontested victory of 1992

In 1992, the NDC’s Gilbert Kwasi Agyei won the Akwatia seat unopposed, as the NPP boycotted parliamentary elections nationwide, alleging irregularities in the presidential poll.

Specific vote counts are unavailable due to the boycott. This reflected the NDC’s national dominance under Jerry John Rawlings, who secured 57.3% of the presidential vote, establishing an early NDC foothold in Akwatia.

NDC wins Akwatia’s first ever competitive parliamentary race in 1996

The 1996 election saw the NDC’s Alhaji Mohammed Erzuah Siam defeat the NPP’s Dr Kwame Kyei Baffour, winning approximately 17,900 votes to Baffour’s 8,575, with a margin of 9,325 votes.

This remains the largest NDC victory in Akwatia’s contested elections, driven by Rawlings’ re-election (57.4%) and strong rural support, cementing the NDC’s grip on the constituency.

NPP’s breakthrough in 2000

In 2000, the NPP’s Kinston Akomeng Kissi captured the seat against the NDC’s Alhaji Y A Amankwah, polling 15,483 votes (53.6%) to Amankwah’s 12,803 (44.3%), a margin of 2,680 votes, with 28,891 total valid votes and 614 rejected ballots.

The NPP’s economic liberalisation policies resonated with Akwatia’s mining communities, aligning with John Agyekum Kufuor’s presidential victory (56.9% in a runoff), marking a significant shift.

NPP retains control of Akwatia in 2004

Kinston Akomeng Kissi retained the seat for the NPP in 2004, defeating the NDC’s Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed. Kinston Kissi secured 17,159 votes (50.8%) to Baba Jamal’s 16,087 (47.6%), a margin of 1,072 votes, with 33,783 total valid votes and 586 rejected ballots.

Akwatia By-Election: EC to start printing ballot papers on August 20

President Kufuor on the national front was re-elected with 52.45% of all votes cast.

NDC’s contentious comeback of 2008

The 2008 Election was highly contentious, with the NDC’s Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed reclaiming the seat against the NPP’s Kofi Asare.

After a re-run in six polling stations on August 18, 2009, due to irregularities, Baba Jamal won with 17,777 votes (50.9%) to Asare’s 17,160 (49.1%), a margin of 617 votes, with 34,937 total valid votes and 664 rejected ballots.

The result aligned with John Atta Mills’ presidential win (50.23% in a runoff).

NDC narrowly defends Akwatia in 2012

In 2012, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed held the seat for the NDC against Kofi Asare of the NPP in another tight race. Baba Jamal polled 19,811 votes (50.4%) to Kofi Asare’s 19,517 (49.6%), a margin of 294 votes, with 39,328 total valid votes and 614 rejected ballots.

Despite allegations of malpractice by the NPP, who went to the Supreme Court to challenge the presidential election, the NDC’s John Dramani Mahama was eventually affirmed winner of the presidential race (50.7%).

NPP secures a landslide victory in 2016

The NPP rebounded in 2016, with Mercy Adu-Gyamfi (Ama Sey) defeating Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed.

Adu-Gyamfi secured 22,981 votes (60.6%) to Baba Jamal’s 17,453 (39.4%), a margin of 5,528 votes- - the largest NPP victory in Akwatia’s history, with 37,904 total valid votes and 541 rejected ballots.

Parliamentary Results for Akwatia

This mirrored Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s national triumph (53.85%) amid voter frustrations from the NDC's economic policies.

NDC’s resurgence of 2020

In 2020, the NDC’s Henry Yiadom Boakye recaptured the Akwatia seat, narrowly defeating the NPP’s Ernest Yaw Kumi.

Boakye won with 19,899 votes (51.5%) to Kumi’s 18,742 (48.5%), a margin of 1,157 votes, with 38,641 total valid votes and 541 rejected ballots.

Despite Akufo-Addo’s presidential win in Akwatia (21,758 votes, 56.91%, to Mahama’s 16,181), local concerns over anti-illegal mining policies led to a “skirt and blouse” voting pattern.

NPP’s contested win of 2024

In 2024, Ernest Yaw Kumi of the NPP won against Henry Yiadom Boakye of the NDC, polling 19,269 votes (52.83%) to Boakye’s 17,206 (47.17%), a margin of 2,063 votes, with 36,475 total valid votes and 294 rejected ballots.

The NDC contested the results, alleging irregularities like double voting, leading to a Koforidua High Court injunction barring Kumi’s swearing-in and a contempt conviction in February 2025, overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2025.

Kumi’s death shortly after triggered the upcoming by-election.

Akwatia MP Ernest Yaw Kumi is dead - Report

The September 2, 2025, by-election follows Kumi’s death, setting up another NDC-NPP showdown.

The NDC has selected Bernard Bediako Baidoo, a 40-year-old lawyer and constituency secretary, in a competitive primary on August 4, 2025. Baidoo polled 380 votes, defeating Erasmus Koney Ali (366 votes) and former MP Henry Yiadom Boakye (226 votes) out of 975 valid ballots.

Baidoo’s prior representation of Boakye in the 2024 Election challenge adds intrigue.

The NPP, on the other hand, acclaimed Solomon Kwame Asumadu, a 40-year-old licensed small-scale miner and 2008 All Nations University graduate, after some contenders, including Ama Sey, withdrew on the back of a party consultation and negotiation.

Asumadu, calling himself the “Joshua” to Kumi’s “Moses,” has predicted a 10,000-vote victory margin for himself.

From history, Akwatia’s 5-4 NPP-NDC split (NPP wins: 2000, 2004, 2016, 2024; NDC wins: 1992, 1996, 2008, 2012, 2020) paints a picture of a swing nature, often aligning with presidential outcomes.

With little than a week to the election, campaigns are intensifying, with the NDC backed by the party’s national officers and government officials, employing various strategies, including grassroots engagement through Baidoo’s market-day outreach.

The NPP, led by Asumadu, with support from the party’s MPs and party officials, is countering with unity walks and development promises.

A Global Info Analytics poll (August 1-2, 2025) shows Asumadu leading 49.7% to Baidoo’s 43.8%, within a 2.7% margin of error, signaling a tight race.

To some analysts, the by-election is a test of President Mahama and the NDC’s over seven-month old government and the NPP’s opposition resilience.

A Super Majority NDC run Parliament

The 9th Parliament of Ghana’s 4th Republic boasts of a total of 276 seats, from which the NDC brags of 184, with the NPP winning 88, and the remaining four going to independent candidates in the 2024 Election.

As of August 25, 2025, two seats remain vacant: Akwatia, following the death of Ernest Kumi; and Tamale Central, following the death of Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed of the NDC on August 6, 2025.

The Electoral Commission has, meanwhile, set September 30 for the Tamale Central by-election, which the NPP has announced it will not contest in.

Top NDC officials storm Akwatia ahead of by-election

With all four independent MPs of the 9th Parliament caucusing with the NDC, the ruling party currently wields a majority of 187 seats, with Tamale Central guaranteed as an addition, well above the required number of 184 needed for a two thirds majority.

Despite their two thirds majority, the NDC, for all intents and purposes, have clearly showed their decision to challenge the NPP for the Akwatia seat as a means of not just consolidating their base in the legislative House, but to also tie up its record with the NPP when it comes to Akwatia.

For the NPP, however, winning the Akwatia seat will not only be an honour to the memory of the late Ernest Kumi, but it would be another opportunity to extend their lead over the NDC and to also increase their number as a ‘Mighty Minority’ in Ghana's current Parliament.

GA/AE

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