Sympathy won’t decide Akwatia by-election – Mussa Dankwah

Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah, insists that sympathy will not decide the outcome of the impending Akwatia by-election on September 2, 2025.

Speaking on TV3on Saturday, August 30, Mr. Dankwah explained that the Akwatia by-election will be driven by voters’ concerns about development, education, and job opportunities rather than sympathy for the late MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi. “Sympathy will not influence voter decisions in the Akwatia by-election,” he stated.

According to him, the dynamics of the Akwatia by-election have shifted, with young voters—particularly senior high school graduates and tertiary students—showing strong support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Lawyer Bernard Bediako. He noted that many of these students previously backed the late NPP MP but have since switched their support.

“For them, it is about improving the quality of education in the constituency,” Mr. Dankwah said. “Those with senior high school qualifications are also looking for sustainable jobs.”

Expressing firm confidence in the NDC’s chances, Mussa Dankwah declared, “I am 99% sure that the NDC will win the by-election.” His optimism is based on a fresh Global InfoAnalytics survey, which shows the NDC’s candidate leading the race.

The poll projects that Lawyer Bernard Bediako will secure 53% of the total votes, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Solomon Asumadu, is expected to take 47%. In a social media update on Friday, August 29, Mr. Dankwah explained that Bediako’s lead stems from voters’ desire for development and strong support from SHS and tertiary-level voters.

The survey also revealed that 57% of voters likely to cast sympathy-based ballots hold JHS-level education or no formal qualifications, with sympathy votes accounting for only 4% of total voter priorities. “NDC’s Bediako overtakes NPP’s Asumadu three days before the crucial polls in Akwatia. His lead is propelled by voters who want development and SHS and tertiary voters who preferred him by a larger margin,” the update said.

The Akwatia by-election, set for September 2, was triggered by the death of NPP MP Ernest Yaw Kumi in July 2025, just months after his election.