The National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Bernard Bediako Baidoo has been declared Member of Parliament (MP) elect for Akwatia constituency.

He polled 18,199 votes to beat the New Patriotic Party's (NPP), Solomon Kwame Asumadu who secured 15,235. votes. According to the retaining officer of the Electoral Commission (EC), the total votes were 33,819 with 33,516 valid votes and 303 ballots rejected.

The EC on Tuesday, September 2, held a by-election for constituents in 119 polling stations of the Akwatia constituency to provide constituents a representative, following the sudden passing of their former MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi.

Ernest Kumi was confirmed dead on Monday, July 7, 2025. At the time of his passing, Ernest Kumi had only served the constituency for six months.

On Tuesday, September 2, more than 50,000 registered constituents in Akwatia cast their ballots to select an MP to represent the constituencyin Parliament.

The NDC elected legal practitioner Bernard Bediako Baidoo to contest the election. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the other hand, selected the Chief Executive of Owuo Mining Company, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, as its parliamentary candidate for the by-election.

However, David Ankomah, who sought to contest on the ticket of the Action People’s Party (APP), was disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) over failing to submit his tax clearance certificate. As a result, the disqualified candidate filed a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission.

He has challenged the EC at the High Court for excluding him for failing to submit his tax clearance certificate. Ankomah argued that the Commission gave him too short a notice to produce the certificate through the Akwatia District Electoral Officer, which caused the delay to provide the required document.

Additionally, he maintains that he completed all necessary processes needed to participate in the race. He further prayed the Court to suspend the by-election until the case is determined.

Meanwhile, over 5,500 police personnel were deployed to Akwatia to ensure law and order during the by-election. The police grouped the constituency into nine security zones to ensure effective coverage.

600 officers were fully armed to swiftly respond to any disturbances that may occur during the exercise. Prior to the election the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party allegedly held back from signing a peace pact.

This follows claims by the NPP that the NDC’s representatives presented constituency executives instead of national-level executives to sign the agreement.

NPP National Organizer Henry Nana Boakye told reporters that the NDC had shown reluctance to commit to the peace declaration, accusing the party of deliberately stalling the process.

Speaking to the media after the failed engagement, a Board member of the Peace Council, Sheikh Armeyaw Shaibu, said, "In the spirit of mutual dialogue and mutual respect, the two parties agreed that we should suspend the meeting".

The by-election did not witness a lot of chaos, unlike those that occurred during the Ablekuma-North rerun election. In the coming days, constituents of Tamale Central will vote to elect a representative in Parliament. The upcoming by-election is slated for Tuesday, September 30.

This follows the death of its legislator, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. He was among the eight individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident on August 6. He was laid to rest on August 10.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has already cleared 12 out of 16 aspirants who picked up nomination forms to contest the Tamale Central parliamentary primary.

The 12 aspirants were cleared only after the completion of the vetting process. The NDC opened nominations on August 21, for aspirants seeking to contest the Tamale Central Constituency primary.

Nomination forms were available at the Northern Regional Office of the party from Friday, August 22, to Sunday, August 24, 2025, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day.

Prospective aspirants will pay a non-refundable nomination fee of GH¢5,000 and a filing fee of GH¢40,000 to be paid in cash only into the party’s official account at UMB Bank, Adabraka Branch. No cheques or bankers’ drafts will be accepted.

There is a slash for ..."female aspirants and persons with disabilities are entitled to a 50 per cent reduction on the filing fee. A certified copy of the delegates' list will be made available to all aspirants after the vetting process.”

A certified copy of the delegates' list will be made available to all aspirants after the vetting process.

The party has urged all prospective aspirants and stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with these directives and to conduct their campaigns and related activities with decorum, unity, and fairness.”

Meanwhile, the NPP has declared its intention not to participate in the upcoming by-election. According to a statement signed by NPP’s General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the decision was taken by the Party at a National Steering Committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Party Headquarters pursuant to Article 10(10)(1) of the Party Constitution.

According to the statement, this will be the party’s better way of honoring Dr. Murtala Mohammed and the other crash victims.

“In arriving at the decision, the Party considered many factors, including the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat has become vacant and the possibility of a further polarization of the country at this critical time.

The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to competitive processes in search of a replacement for the departed MP.

The Party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided.

“It is the considered view of the Party that the greatest tribute that the NPP and the rest of the nation can pay in honour of the departed, is not only to win the fight against Galamsey but also to ensure a smooth and peaceful replacement for the good people of Tamale Central.

“Consequently, the NPP hereby announces that when the Electoral Commission of Ghana opens nominations for the Tamale Central by-election in line with Article 112 (5) of Ghana's Constitution, the Party will, in accord with the national interest, not take part in the contest,” parts of the statement read.