Akwatia Constituency by-election: Facts you need to know

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Introduction

Ghana’s 1992 constitution stipulates that the Electoral Commission (EC) holds a by-election when a seat becomes vacant due to the unfortunate demise of a sitting Member of Parliament (MP). Ernest Yaw Kumi, MP for Akwatia, died on July 7, 2025. Per Article 112 (5) of Ghana’s constitution, the EC will hold a by-election on September 2, 2025.

Presenting the constituency’s history highlights, electoral facts, and information will help prevent misinformation and disinformation.

Electoral History of Akwatia

Akwatia is in the Denkyembour district in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It is one of the constituencies represented in the Parliament of Ghana. The political records indicate that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have dominated parliamentary seats since it was created in 1992. Several notorious instances of electoral violence have marked the intense competition between the two parties. Elections in the constituency have seen scenes of persistent intolerance by the two major parties.

MPs so far

Since the inception of Ghana’s fourth republic, electorates in the constituency have been represented by different members of parliament. From 1992 to the present, Akwatia has been represented by four MPs from both parties.

*Duration*	*Member of Parliament*	*Political Party*
1992 – 1996	Gilbert Kwasi Agyei	NDC
1996 – 2000	Alhaji Mohammed Erzuah Siam	NDC
2000 – 2004	Kinston Akomeng Kissi	NPP
2004 – 2008	Kinston Akomeng Kissi	NPP
2008 – 2012	Kofi Asare	NPP
2012 – 2016	Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed	NDC
2016 – 2020	Mercy Adu-Gyamfi	NPP
2020 – 2024	Henry Boakye Yiadom	NDC

Table Source: DUBAWA

The 2024 parliamentary election in Akwatia was keenly contested, with Ernest Yaw Kumi emerging as the winner. However, his victory was challenged in court amidst other legal issues, including a conviction for contempt delivered by the Koforidua High Court in February 2025. The Supreme Court of Ghana overturned his conviction for contempt on June 11, 2025. Unfortunately, he died on July 7, 2025.

Akwatia’s Parliamentary facts and figures

According to data from the EC, the Akwatia Constituency had 52,328 registered voters as of Dec. 2024. Of those, 19,269, representing 52.83%, voted for the NPP parliamentary candidate, while 17,206, representing 47.17%, voted for the NDC candidate. Previous parliamentary candidates have won with 49%, 52%, 50%, 57%, and 52% in 2000, 2004, 2012, 2016, and 2020, respectively.

Table source: DUBAWA

History of violence at Akwatia

In 2008, a keenly contested parliamentary election in Akwatia resulted in violence. The contest was between the then Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed and Kofi Asare. Violence erupted during the Dec. 7, 2008, elections with “macho men” tampering with ballot boxes of parliamentary polls. The EC was unable to declare parliamentary results for the constituency. The Supreme Court ordered the EC to conduct the election for six affected polling stations on August 18, 2009.

With recent electoral violence during the Ablekuma North rerun, several key political figures have made comments suggesting violence at the Akwatia by-election.

Moments after presenting a petition to the president, John Ntim Fordjour made remarks on electoral violence and how there could be “bloodshed” at Akwatia if care is not taken.

“We want to send a strong signal that if the president wants to continue his inaction in bringing the perpetrators to book, arresting them, persecuting them, there’s going to be bloodshed in Akwatia and future elections,” he said in an interview.

Measures to curb violence at Akwatia

Isaac Tetteh Yorhunu, Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service, has promised maximum security ahead of the September 2 by-elections.

“Our eyes are red for Akwatia; nobody should think of coming to cause trouble. No political party should mobilise men to come and foment trouble. And nobody should have in mind the intention of snatching a ballot box. We have prepared our men adequately to handle the situation,” he said in an interview.

The police have deployed a 600-man advanced team to Akwatia to gather intelligence to ensure that the by-election is free, fair, and free of violence.