BY Daniel Bampoe
Former Member of Parliament for Akwatia in the Eastern Region, Baba Jamal, has openly criticized the decision of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to change its parliamentary candidate ahead of the September 2 by-election, warning that the move could deepen cracks within the party at a critical moment.
Speaking on Citi FM/Channel One TV’s Akwatia Watch, the former MP said he was strongly opposed to fresh primaries and preferred that the party maintained its 2024 candidate to preserve unity.
According to him, competitive primaries often breed unnecessary divisions, which could weaken the NDC’s chances in a constituency already fraught with political and economic tensions.
“I was not in support of any primaries. I thought we should have maintained the status quo and allowed the old candidate to continue. But we are in a democracy, and the majority decision will always carry the day,” Baba Jamal said.
He added that while he respected the party’s internal processes, it was now critical for all factions to rally behind the new candidate.
A Bitter Primary Battle
The decision to hold new parliamentary primaries resulted in a tense contest involving three party figures: former MP Henry Boakye Yiadom (popularly known as Okoyo), long-time grassroots mobilizer Erasmus Koney Ali (widely known as Asanka Poyooyo), and constituency secretary and private practitioner, Bernard Bediako Baidoo.
When the ballots were counted, Bernard Baidoo emerged as the winner with 389 votes, narrowly defeating Asanka’s 366, while Okoyo trailed with 226. Out of 975 votes, only three were rejected.
But Baidoo’s victory has not been without controversy.
Once the lawyer for Boakye Yiadom during the 2024 election petition against late NPP MP Ernest Yaw Kumi, Baidoo is now his political rival—an outcome many within the party view as betrayal.
Allegations of cash-for-votes have also plagued the process, with claims that delegates were induced with as much as GHS 2,000, compared to GHS 500–1,000 offered by other contenders.
Frustration Among Grassroots
Asanka’s loyalists, who form a significant grassroots base in Akwatia, have expressed discontent with the outcome.
Some disgruntled delegates have vowed to either stay away from the polls or openly back the NPP’s candidate, describing the process as one driven by money rather than loyalty or service.
The situation is further compounded by worsening economic conditions in Akwatia’s mining sector.
Since the NDC took office in January 2025, artisanal miners say they have been hit hard by falling gold purchase prices, which have dropped from GHS 13,400 to about GHS 8,300 per pound. With livelihoods under threat, resentment toward the government could spill over into the by-election.
NPP Smells Opportunity
Sensing cracks in the NDC’s local base, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has fielded its constituency treasurer, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, described by residents as a relatable grassroots figure with deep connections to Akwatia’s mining community.
Already, the NPP is positioning him as a more authentic alternative to Baidoo, hoping to exploit the internal divisions within the NDC.
Baba Jamal’s Warning
Against this backdrop, Baba Jamal’s criticism reflects a broader concern that the NDC may have miscalculated by sidelining its 2024 candidate in favour of a new face.
While he has urged unity, he warned that the task ahead will require serious reconciliation efforts if the party hopes to retain voter confidence.
“The two other candidates have been appearing on platforms with our new candidate, which is good. But we must do more to consolidate our support base,” he stressed.
The September 2 by-election in Akwatia has therefore become more than a contest for one parliamentary seat.
