BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The Akwatia by-election in the Eastern Region has taken a controversial twist, as some residents openly declared that they would only participate in the polls if offered money by political parties.
On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, reporters covering the election observed a section of voters in the Akwatia Zongo-Vawaso Electoral Area demanding monetary inducements before heading to the ballot box.
The voters said they were disappointed that, unlike in past elections, political actors were unable to freely distribute cash due to the visible presence of security personnel.
“Because of the heavy security presence, the politicians could not share money. We didn’t get anything,” one voter said.
Another resident bluntly admitted that they had become accustomed to receiving money during election periods and were reluctant to vote without it.
“We have been trained this way, we love money. Over the years we have always been given money before voting, so we are waiting. We haven’t voted yet,” the voter added.
Constituency In Transition
The by-election was necessitated by the death of the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
His passing created a political vacuum in the area, forcing the Electoral Commission to organize a by-election to elect a new representative.
The contest is a two-horse race between the NPP’s Solomon Kwame Asumadu and the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Bernard Bediako.
Both candidates are heavily invested in retaining or reclaiming the constituency, which has historically been a swing seat with a record of closely fought elections.
Vote-Buying Allegations
The open demand for money by voters adds to long-standing concerns about vote-buying in Ghanaian elections. While the Electoral Commission (EC) and security agencies have assured the public of a free and fair process, incidents in Akwatia highlight the entrenched culture of transactional politics.
In Ghana, allegations of vote-buying surface almost every election cycle, with parties accused of inducing voters with cash, food, or other incentives.
Election observers have consistently warned that such practices undermine democracy by shifting political competition away from ideas and policies to financial influence.
Heavy Security Deployment
Given the high stakes of the Akwatia by-election, security has been reinforced in all polling stations to prevent violence and electoral malpractice.
The Ghana Police Service, has assured voters of their safety and cautioned political parties against engaging in illegal inducements.
However, the visible deployment of security forces may have inadvertently disrupted vote-buying networks, leaving some voters disgruntled.
Their open admission that they were waiting to be bribed before voting reflects both the normalization of the practice and the challenges security agencies face in curbing it.
