NPP’s Akwatia defeat shows demand for development over sympathy – Mussa Dankwah

The Executive Director of Global Info Analytics, Mussa Dankwah, says the NPP’s defeat in the Akwatia by-election reflects a growing demand for development over sympathy.

Speaking after the September 2 polls, Mussa Dankwah stressed that the Akwatia defeat of the NPP was not about emotions but a sign that voters are demanding real development over sympathy voting. He explained that despite expectations that the party could win after the death of sitting MP Ernest Kumi, the youth-dominated constituency rejected sympathy politics.

According to him, the NPP’s Akwatia defeat highlights the influence of young and educated voters, most under 40, who prioritise development over sympathy and expect tangible improvements in their lives. He urged political parties to adapt to this shift if they hope to remain competitive.

“Political parties must begin to understand the Gen Z voters, know your voters, know who you are dealing with. Akwatia voters age group, nearly 70% of them are below the age of 35 years or up to 40 years. These people have no sympathy; they need development. They need actual improvement in their life. The older voters normally are sympathetic to certain situations. They are smarter. They are defending. They can’t be taken for granted,” Mr. Dankwah said on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey.

Before the by-election, Global Info Analytics projected that the NDC candidate, Bernard Baidoo Bediako, would secure about 53 percent of the votes. The Electoral Commission’s certified results later confirmed this forecast, with Baidoo Bediako winning 18,199 votes, representing 54.3 percent.

His closest challenger, Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the NPP, polled 15,235 votes (45.46%), while the Liberal Party of Ghana’s Patrick Owusu managed only 82 votes. In all, 33,819 valid ballots were counted, alongside 303 rejected ballots.

Mr. Dankwah concluded that the Akwatia defeat should serve as a wake-up call for political parties ahead of the 2028 general elections, stressing that young, development-driven voters will play a decisive role in shaping outcomes.