Joseph Yammin, National Organizer of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed strong confidence that the party’s candidate will secure a decisive 55% victory in the upcoming Akwatia byelection scheduled for September 2.
In a detailed interview on Kumasi base Abusua 96.5FM’s current affairs program known as Abusua Nkommo with host Kojo Marfo monitored by Kumasimail, Yammin declared firmly, “We have won the seat already,” underscoring the party’s belief that their ground campaign efforts have already guaranteed success.
When asked about the impact of their on-the-ground activities, Yammin emphasized that elections are ultimately won through direct engagement with voters rather than radio rhetoric.
“We don’t sit on radio to win an election. Election is a physical game, so you do it well, it pays off,” he remarked.
He revealed that the NDC team mobilized immediately after the late MP’s death was announced, arriving in Akwatia that very day to begin outreach and grassroots mobilization.
Yammin pointed out that despite a slow start, the campaign’s reception among the electorate improved significantly over time.
“Beginning it didn’t look good but now, if everything goes as planned, I’m expecting a 55% margin tomorrow,” he said confidently.
The interviewer sought clarification on this projection, asking if Yammin expected the NDC candidate to emerge victorious with that margin once the votes are counted.
Yammin replied unequivocally, “That’s right.”
Rejecting traditional survey methods, Yammin explained that the NDC’s approach relies on direct voter interactions rather than questionnaires, which he believes can be biased due to limited sample sizes and party affiliations.
He explained “You see, some polls can be done by just sitting in front of your computer, but there is always a difference compared to the reality on the ground. With our polls, we don’t ask people through surveys by giving them questionnaires. No, I don’t believe much in that because the chances of asking 10 people who are all affiliated with either the NPP or NDC are very high. But on the ground, when you arrive, the reception you get from the people and how they interact with you is different.”
He described visiting three communities within Akwatia considered strongholds of the opposing New Patriotic Party (NPP), where initial impressions suggested little support for the NDC.
However, the turnout and enthusiasm for NDC representatives surpassed expectations.
Yammin recounted, “We went to one of the communities, and the number of people who came out to cheer us the moment we arrived was remarkable. At the same time, the NPP was coming there with their car. The car stopped, but nobody came out for them. The next day, I returned to that same community to engage with them, and a bigger crowd than the first day came out.
“I was very happy when the National Chairman visited; he was excited because the crowd that welcomed him was massive,”he added.
Yammin attributed this success to consistent, authentic engagement with the electorate, stating, “We’ve worked on the grounds and given the people what they need to hear.”
He further noted that his extensive political experience allows him to make reliable predictions based on voter turnout and enthusiasm rather than purely academic surveys.
“In my long service in politics, I should be able to give you a very good prediction that won’t fail. It’s neither spiritual nor scientific research.“
Contrasting this approach with the opposition, Yammin criticized loud claims from NPP supporters and said, “While NPP members are not on radio stations beating war drums and claiming they will win Akwatia, if you come here, those making loud noise, none of them have come to Akwatia.”
Background:
The Akwatia byelection, scheduled for September 2, 2025, was triggered by the sudden death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on July 7, 2025.
The contest is between Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the NPP and Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Akwatia is a swing constituency in Ghana’s Eastern Region known for its diamond mining economy and a history of alternating victories between the NPP and NDC. Since 1992, the constituency has often mirrored national political trends, making this byelection a politically significant event.
Bernard Bediako Baidoo, a lawyer and former constituency secretary, won the NDC primaries, while Solomon Kwame Asumadu, a small-scale miner was acclaimed by the NPP.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
