A private legal practitioner, Bernard Bediako Baidoo who is also the Akwatia NDC Constituency Secretary, has emerged winner of the party’s parliamentary primary.
He defeated his contenders- former Member of Parliament, Henry Boakye Yiadom and Erasmus Koney Ali to secure the party’s slot ahead of the upcoming September 2 by-election.
A total of 1,015 delegates turned out to participate in the elections, which began around 11:00 a.m. and ended at 4:00 p.m.
Bernard Bediako Baidoo secured 380 votes, followed closely by Erasmus Koney Ali, who polled 366 votes. Former NDC MP Henry Boakye Yiadom had 266 votes.
Delegates and party supporters have since been reacting to the outcome with mix feelings.
“We thank God for successful elections. We know we will win the September by-election,” one supporter said.
Another, however, expressed disappointment: “We would vote for Owuo (Solomon Asumadu, NPP candidate). They should have voted for our preferred candidate.”
The Eastern South Command of the Ghana Police Service provided tight security throughout the process searching delegates before voting, managing queues during the election, and guarding candidates after the results were announced.
Earlier, National Organiser of the NDC, Joseph Yamin, had expressed confidence that the party would elect a marketable candidate ahead of the by-election. He predicted an NDC victory in both the primary and the by-election.
Incidentally, Mr Bernard Bediako Baidoo previously served as legal counsel for former MP Henry Boakye Yiadom during the 2024 electoral dispute at the Koforidua High Court. That case followed the declaration of now-deceased NPP MP Ernest Yaw Kumi as winner of the 2024 general elections, in which he polled 19,269 votes against Yiadom’s 17,206.
The Akwatia Constituency is a swing seat, alternating between NDC and NPP since its split from the Kwaebibirem District.
Several top NDC officials, including National Executive Ludwig Hlordze, Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Awatey, Eastern Regional Chairman Mark Oliver Kevor, and other constituency executives, were present to monitor the elections.
The by-election in the Akwatia Constituency became necessary upon the demise of the incumbent MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi. Mr Kumi died in July after a short illness.
The NDC’s main competitor in the election is the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Solomon Asumadu who has selected by acclamation by the regional executives of the Party.
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