Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Ghana, Prof. Alhassan Sulemana Anamzoya, has noted that incumbency advantages play a critical role in by-elections.
He made the point that the focus has been on who the government is, to continue to develop projects
Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, August 30, he said, “Incumbency plays a very critical role in by-elections…the belief that when they vote for you, the government will continue your project
“It is not about who will bring development; it is about who is in government.”
For his part, the Executive Director of the Global InfoAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah, expressed the view that sympathy for the late lawmaker for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, will not influence the voting pattern in the by-election.
He says the voting will be influenced by economic development and job opportunities.
“Sympathy will not influence voter decisions in Akwatia by-election,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, August 30.
Mussa Dankwah further stated that a significant number of senior high school graduates and tertiary students in Akwatia will vote for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in the by-election.
He said that most of the voters of the late MP for the area, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who have switched camp, are students.
Asked whether he found out the reason for the students’ decision to vote for the NDC candidate, he answered, “For them, it is about improving the quality of education in the constituency.”
“Those with senior high school qualifications are looking for sustainable jobs,” he added.
Mussa Dankwah further said he is absolutely sure that the National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate, Lawyer Bernard Bediako, will win the Akwatia by-election against the NPP candidate, Solomon Asumadu.
A new poll by his firm Global InfoAnalytics had suggested that the NDC is likely to win the upcoming Akwatia by-election.
The survey shows that the NDC’s parliamentary candidate, Lawyer Bernard Bediako, is projected to secure 53% of the votes, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Solomon Asumadu, is expected to garner 47%.
In a social media update on Friday, August 29, the Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah, explained that Bediako’s lead is driven largely by voters prioritising development, as well as strong support among SHS and tertiary-level voters.
The poll also noted that 57% of voters intending to cast their ballots based on sympathy hold JHS education or no formal qualifications, with sympathy votes accounting for 4% of overall priorities.
“NDC’s Bediako overtakes NPP’s Asumadu three days before the crucial polls in Akwatia. His lead is propelled by voters who want development and SHS and tertiary voters who preferred him by a larger margin.
“Using the committed model, which is likely to be the minimum vote for Bediako, the NDC candidate leads with 53%, while Asumadu of the NPP follows with 47%,” the update said.
The Akwatia by-election, slated for September 2, follows the death of NPP MP Ernest Yaw Kumi in July 2025, only months after his election.
