NPP Graciously Accepts Defeat in Akwatia By-Election, Congratulates NDC’s Bernard Bediako
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially conceded defeat in the closely watched Akwatia Constituency by-election held on September 2, 2025, accepting the outcome as the democratic choice of the constituents.
The Electoral Commission (EC) announced the certified results, declaring Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the winner with 18,199 votes out of the 33,819 valid votes cast.
The NPP’s candidate, Solomon Asumadu, came in second with 15,235 votes, while Patrick Owusu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) trailed far behind with just 82 votes. A total of 303 ballots were rejected during the counting process.
Tony Osei-Adjei, the Eastern Regional Secretary of the NPP, spoke on behalf of the party, expressing disappointment but emphasizing respect for the will of the people. “We are a bit disappointed because that wasn’t what we expected, but the constituents have spoken, so we take it in good faith,” Osei-Adjei stated in an interview on September 2, 2025. He acknowledged the significance of the loss, particularly as the party had hoped to retain the seat in honor of the late Ernest Kumi, the former NPP MP for Akwatia, who passed away in July 2025, triggering the by-election.
Osei-Adjei reflected on Kumi’s dedication to the constituency, noting the emotional weight of failing to secure the seat in his memory. “To some extent, we disappointed him because he lost his life trying to maintain the seat. He ran every bit of his life chasing to restore honor and dignity to his constituents,” he said. He also alluded to legal challenges Kumi faced before his death, referencing a Supreme Court ruling against him and a pending decision at the Koforidua court, which added complexity to the constituency’s political landscape.
The Akwatia by-election was a fiercely contested race, with both the NDC and NPP campaigning vigorously in the swing constituency. Akwatia has a history of tight electoral battles, with the NPP winning the seat five times and the NDC four times since 1992. In the 2024 general election, Ernest Kumi secured the seat for the NPP by a narrow margin of 2,063 votes, making the by-election a critical test for both parties. Pre-election polls by Sanity Africa and Global InfoAnalytics had predicted a slight edge for the NDC’s Bernard Bediako, a forecast that aligned with the final outcome.
The election process was largely peaceful, with over 5,000 police officers deployed to maintain order. However, tensions surfaced during the day, including an altercation involving an NPP official who claimed to have been assaulted by an NDC member’s escort. Additionally, reports emerged that NPP agents and officials were absent from the collation center by 7:20 p.m., raising concerns about their oversight of the vote-counting process. Despite these challenges, the EC completed the collation, and the results were certified without major disruptions.
The NDC’s victory in Akwatia strengthens their hold on Parliament, where they already command a supermajority with 184 seats compared to the NPP’s 88. While the outcome does not significantly alter the parliamentary balance, it carries symbolic weight for the NDC as a sign of continued voter confidence and for the NPP as a setback in a key battleground constituency. The NPP’s gracious acceptance of the defeat reflects their commitment to democratic principles, even as they mourn the loss of a seat tied to the legacy of Ernest Kumi.
As Akwatia moves forward with its new MP, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, attention will now turn to how he addresses the constituency’s needs and whether he can build on the foundation laid by his predecessor. The NPP, meanwhile, is expected to regroup and strategize for future elections, with Osei-Adjei’s comments signaling a focus on respecting the democratic process while reflecting on their campaign efforts.
