A political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, has said that the President may have a huge approval rating in the Akwatia constituency.
However, he said, that does not mean the candidate of the president’s party will also enjoy the same approval rating.
“They like the president, but they may not like the NDC candidate,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday August 23 in reaction to a comment by Executive Director of the Global InfoAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah who had said that the general economic well-being of the people in Akwatia, due to the improvement in the national economy, will put the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for the Akwatia by-elections, Solomon Asumadu in a disadvantaged position.
Mussa Dankwah stated that the NPP candidate is leading in surveys with 49.7%.
Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, August 23, he said, “We observed an unusual behaviour of votes in Akwatia. They don’t really disclose honestly who they will vote for. For example, the Ga Adangme and Ewe. When they are in Akan-dominated areas, they hide their true colours as to how they will vote; they turn to hide it. So the NPP’s lead is a disguised lead.”
Mussa Dankwah, however, explained that the development projects and the general economic well-being of the people in Akwatia may work against the opposition’s candidate in the actual election.
“Development projects in the area put the opposition candidate at a disadvantage. Economic conditions are generally positive, and that will favour the NDC candidate.”
For his part, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, said that the President may have a huge approval rate in the constituency, but that does not mean the candidate of the president’s party will also enjoy the same approval rate.
“They like the president, but they may not like the NDC candidate,” he said.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has set Tuesday, 2nd September 2025, as the date for the by-election in the Akwatia Constituency of the Eastern Region following the death of the Member of Parliament, Ernest Kumi.
In a statement released on Wednesday, July 30, the Commission explained that the by-election will be held in line with Article 112(5) of the Constitution, which mandates the Commission to organise a by-election when a parliamentary seat becomes vacant.
The EC said it will open nominations for individuals interested in contesting the by-election.
“The Commission will receive nominations from prospective candidates for the election of a Member of Parliament for the said constituency,” the statement read.
