Mahama Expected in Akwatia Ahead Of By-Election: "We Want to Finish Hard"

• President John Mahama will be in the Akwatia Constituency a day before the by-election on September 2
• Mahama is expected to attend the commissioning of a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority office in Akwatia
• The Eastern Regional Youth organiser for the NDC described Mahama's itinerary as a final push by the National Democratic Congress

President John Mahama is expected in the Akwatia Constituency a day before the by-election on September 1.

Mahama's visit to the region will not be directly linked to the National Democratic Congress campaign activities.

He is billed to appear at the commissioning of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority office in Akwatia.

The Eastern Regional Youth organiser for the NDC, Richard Etornam Nyarko, described Mahama's presence in the constituency as a final push in comments to YEN.com.gh.

"We are optimistic of a win. It doesn't mean we should relax... President Mahama’s presence in the constituency does not mean we are losing. It means we want to finish hard."

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Global Info Analytics has projected victory for the NDC candidate, Bernard Bediako, in the upcoming Akwatia by-election.

According to the poll, Bediako has 53% of the vote while Solomon K. Asumadu of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) trails with 47%.

The survey was conducted between August 27 and 28 with a sample size of 2,050 voters across the constituency.

Why the Akwatia MP seat is vacant

The parliamentary seat became vacant after the death of its MP, Ernest Kumi, on July 7, 2025.

The Electoral Commission set a date of September 2, 2025, for the Akwatia by-election.

Baidoo, a lawyer and constituency secretary of the NDC, won a primary to represent his party, while Asumadu was endorsed without a primary process.

NPP presence in Akwatia

A memorial in honour of the late MP was held at the Akyem Wenchi Funeral Grounds on Friday, August 29.

Many top officials from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including former president Nana Akufo-Addo, former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Matthew Opoku-Prempeh and Minority Leader of Parliament Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, were present at the solemn event.

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Akufo-Addo's arrival at the event grounds was met with a loud reception from supporters. They hailed and cheered him on as the president alighted from his car and made his way to the stage.

Things almost turned chaotic moments when the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and his entourage entered the Wenchi Durbar grounds to pay homage and commiserate with the bereaved family.

Visibly angry women and some supporters of the NPP attempted to physically assault the NDC chairman and his security detail.

Police seize guns in Akwatia ahead of by-election

YEN.com.gh reported that the Eastern South Regional Police Command arrested 10 suspects and retrieved nine weapons in separate operations at Akwatia.

These actions by law enforcers were part of ongoing security operations ahead of the by-election in the Eastern Regional town.

The weapons seized by the police reportedly included eight pump-action guns and one locally manufactured single-barreled gun.

Source: YEN.com.gh