Okyere Baafi alleges NDC paid voters GH¢500-1,000 in Akwatia by-election

The Member of Parliament (MP) for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi, has alleged that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) used money to secure victory in the Akwatia by-election.

Speaking in an interview on AsaasePa FM on September 2, 2025, Okyere Baafi claimed that nearly every voter in the constituency received between GH¢ 500 and GH¢ 1,000 from the NDC.

He expressed disappointment over the outcome, stating that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had been confident of winning the poll due to their extensive campaign efforts.

"We did all the work and campaigning, and we were confident of winning the election. But the NDC's strategy was to buy votes. Almost every voter who wanted money was paid about GH¢500-1,000 by the NDC.

"They distributed items such as hair dryers, spraying machines and other things. Given the work we put in, there was no way we should have lost. The NDC even had a table with thugs protecting the table, and not even the police could intervene," Okyere Baafi alleged.

Bernard Baidoo, the parliamentary candidate of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), was declared the winner of the Akwatia Constituency by-election, defeating his closest rival, Solomon Asumadu of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Electoral Commission's Returning Officer for the constituency, Eric Osu, announced the certified results late Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

According to the official declaration, Bernard Baidoo garnered 18,199 votes, while Solomon Asumadu of the NPP secured 15,235 votes.

Owusu Patrick of the LPG party received 82 votes.

NDC’s Bernard Baidoo wins Akwatia by-election

In total, 33,516 valid votes were cast, with 303 rejected ballots, bringing the total votes cast to 33,819.

The by-election was necessitated by the death of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the sitting NPP MP for Akwatia, who passed away in July after a short illness.

Akwatia, located in Ghana's Eastern Region, is considered a swing constituency, having alternated between the NDC and NPP over the years.

Since the start of the Fourth Republic, the seat has been won by the NPP five times and the NDC four times.

I was encouraging my party base and reason I said I will resign if NPP loses Akwatia by election but from hindsight, I think I went too far.

The NDC influenced voters with 500-1000 cedis and it's dangerous for our democracy how we are monetizing elections. Voters were telling us… pic.twitter.com/ZLNAfIhQtH

— Serwaa Amihere (@Serwaa_Amihere) September 2, 2025

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