The Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has cast serious doubts on the prospects of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) winning the upcoming Akwatia parliamentary by-election.
Gbande questioned the rationale behind why the people of Akwatia would vote for the NPP candidate, posing the pointed question, “what will be the benefit?”
The Akwatia Constituency is preparing for a parliamentary by-election slated for Tuesday, September 2, 2025, following the untimely death of the sitting MP, Ernest Kumi of the NPP.
The two dominant political parties, the ruling NDC and opposition NPP, have intensified their campaigns to capture the vacant seat.
The NPP has nominated Solomon Kwame Asumadu, a licensed small-scale miner and Chief Executive of Owuo Mining Company, as its candidate. Meanwhile, the NDC has chosen Bernard Bediako Baidoo, a legal practitioner and the current constituency secretary, as its candidate to reclaim the seat for the ruling party.
In a confident interview with GhOne TV monitored by Kumasimail, Mustapha Gbande asserted that the election will decisively favor the NDC.
“The ground will determine the end. The election will determine the end,” he stated with certainty.
When pressed on the party’s confidence to secure the seat, Gbande replied emphatically, “I have said that nothing will stop us from winning the election. Nothing will stop the NDC.”
Gbande stressed that the people of Akwatia have not benefited from the prolonged NPP government despite the constituency’s close proximity to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s hometown, only 45 minutes away.
He criticized the NPP for neglecting development in the Eastern Region during its eight years in power, highlighting that the region has been unfairly deprived of growth and progress.
“The people have suffered, been denied development for eight years. A new government has come. You want to prolong their suffering?” Gbande questioned.
He paid tribute to the late Ernest Kumi, describing him as a lovable and unique personality respected across political lines.
Gbande urged voters not to repeat the mistake of voting for what he described as “bad people,” and instead back a candidate well-connected to government.
Referencing key government officials from the Eastern Region, including the Chief of Staff, the President’s legal advisor, and the Vice President’s advisor, Gbande argued that electing an NDC MP who can leverage these connections would bring greater development to Akwatia.
In contrast, he dismissed the utility of electing the NPP candidate, stating bluntly, “So, what use would it be to go and take a man who I don’t want to talk about to parliament?”
The by-election is seen as a critical test for both parties, with Akwatia historically being a swing seat, alternating between NDC and NPP representatives.
The last general election saw a narrow win for the late Ernest Kumi of the NPP, with a majority of just over 2,000 votes which later ended in court.
Both parties are thus ramping up efforts, viewing the by-election as a vital contest that could shift parliamentary dynamics.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
