Executive Director of the Global InforAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah, has said that his outfit studied the demography of Akwatia very well, hence the accurate prediction that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate was going to win the by-election.
He noted that currently, 62 per cent of voters have senior high and tertiary qualifications, and these are a block of people who, in recent times, are leaving the NPP in droves.
Asked how he was able to predict the results accurately on TV3’s KeyPoints on Saturday, September 6, he said, “Everything that I do starts with demography. There are people who study demography and are able to predict what will happen in 20 years, which is what we did in Akawatia.
“62% of Akwatia voters have SHS qualifications. They are different, they act differently. I knew the NDC candidate was enjoying support from these people. The NPP miscalculated and assumed that Akwatia is a mining community and will vote for their miner candidate.
“But there are service sector jobs and farming. So if you give them a miner, it doesn’t mean you are giving them what they want.”
The National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) candidate in the Akwatia by-election, Bernard Bediako Baidoo was elected as the Member of Parliament for Akwatia on September 2.
Bernard Baidoo polled 18,199 votes as against 15,235 votes of the NPP candidate, Solomon Asumadu.
The by-election was carried out at 119 polling stations with 33,518 valid voters cast.
The returning officer, Eric Gyamfi, who declared Mr Baidoo as Member of Parliament-elect said, “by the power vested in me, i hereby declare Bernard Bediako Baidoo as MP-elect.”
Bernad Bediako Baidoo declared winner
With this outcome of the by-election, the composition of the 9th Parliament is as follows:
- NPP seats – 87
- NDC Seats – 184
- Independent – 4
The by-election was necessitated by the death of the area’s lawmaker, Ernest Yaw Kumi. Mr Kumi died after short ilness.
The voting processes were relatively peaceful with few chaotic scenes being recorded at some polling stations.
One person was arrested by the police after chaos erupted at the NDC party office when some individuals destroyed the NDC candidate’s posters.
In another incident, fight erupted between NPP third National Vice Chairman, Osman Masawudu and NDC first National Vice Chairman, Awudu Sofo Azorka at Akwatia Lorry polling station while voting was ongoing.
Over 5,500 police personnel were deployed to ensure a peaceful by-election in Akwatia. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno toured some voting centers on Tuesday and assured Ghanaians that the Akwatia by-election will end peacefully without any disruptions.
