Lawyer Bernard Bediako Baidoo
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has clinched the Akwatia parliamentary seat in a closely watched by-election. NDC’s candidate, lawyer Bernard Bediako Baidoo, has emerged victorious, capturing a seat previously held by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) until July 2025.
He came up against Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Patrick Owusu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).
Provisional results indicate that Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the NDC polled 18, 199 representing 54.30%, Kwame Asumadu of the NPP garned 15,235 representing 45.46%, whiles Patrick Owusu of the LGP polled 82 votes.
Rejected ballots recorded 303 votes and the total votes cast is 33,516.
Background
The by-election was triggered by the untimely passing of the incumbent NPP MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who died in July 2025.
Kumi had won the seat in the closely contested 2024 parliamentary elections. Prior to that, he faced a legal challenge over his victory but had his conviction overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2025.
Before the ballots were counted, Bernard Bediako expressed unwavering confidence in securing the Akwatia seat.
He said he had read the mood of the electorate and was optimistic of a clear victory.
Despite his confidence, the by-election was marked by notably low voter turnout. One of Bediako’s own remarks after the voting revealed his surprise.
The NDC’s victory of Bernard Bediako representing Akwatia marks a swing in representation from the NPP to the NDC, altering the local parliamentary dynamics.