By Nadia Ntiamoah
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is preparing for a critical contest in the Ayawaso East Constituency, Nima as the political spotlight shifts to who will succeed the late Naser Toure Mahama, the four-term lawmaker whose death in early January 2026 left the parliamentary seat vacant.
In a formal announcement, the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has scheduled a by-election for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to fill the vacated seat.
This marks a pivotal moment for the NDC in one of Accra’s most politically contested constituencies, which has historically played a strategic role in parliamentary arithmetic and national politics.
The EC’s January 16, 2026 press release, signed by Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman for Operations, laid out the official nomination schedule.
Prospective parliamentary candidates can submit their completed forms at the Ayawaso East Municipal Office in North Ridge from Monday, February 9, to Wednesday, February 11, 2026, daily from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Candidates must submit forms in quadruplicate, either personally or through a proposer or seconder.
Each nomination must be endorsed by a proposer and seconder who are registered voters in the constituency, along with the support of at least 18 other registered voters.
Nomination forms are available for download on the EC’s website from January 16, 2026.
Already, several names have emerged as potential contenders on the NDC ticket including the wife of the late MP.
Among them are Hajia Amina Adams, an oil and gas businesswoman and widow of the late MP; Baba Jamal Ahmed, a lawyer, former MP for Akwatia and now Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria; Dr. Yakubu Azindow, an educationist; Yahaya Alhassan, a social activist; Mahmuda Salley, a businessman; Abdul Salam Mohammed Darrul, a nursing officer and youth activist; Sanda Mohammed Umar, an assembly member; and Abdul Razzaq Mohammed.
Sources said the pendulum may likely swing in favour Naser Toure Mahama’s widow, Amina Adams.
The contest is expected to draw keen interest, given the constituency’s political significance and its history of active voter engagement.
Observers note that the by-election is not just a test of individual candidates but also a barometer for party strength and organizational capacity in Accra’s urban constituencies.
The late Naser Toure Mahama, who served as Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Energy Committee and a member of several other key committees, was widely respected for his dedication to both parliamentary work and local development.
His absence leaves a leadership void that the NDC must fill strategically to maintain its influence in the area.
