Bernard Bediako Baidoo, Member of Parliament-elect for Akwatia, has pushed back against accusations that a series of road construction projects in the constituency were politically motivated ahead of the September 2 by-election.
The newly elected lawmaker from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) dismissed the claims during a Tuesday interview, attributing the infrastructure works to longstanding requests made by local chiefs rather than a coordinated campaign strategy.
“The bulldozers are still working after the election,” Mr. Baidoo said on Eyewitness News, a current affairs program on Citi FM. “It wasn’t for votes. This was a request by the chiefs.”
Mr. Baidoo won the closely watched by-election with 18,199 votes out of 33,819 valid ballots cast, defeating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Solomon Kwame Asumadu, who secured 15,235 votes. Owusu Patrick of the Liberal Progressive Party (LPP) trailed with just 82 votes.
The NPP has alleged that the NDC’s improved showing in the constituency was aided by the sudden commencement of road works and other inducements in the weeks leading up to the vote. However, Mr. Baidoo said the projects were approved after traditional leaders submitted a petition to the office of the Chief of Staff, then held by Julius Debrah.
Communities such as Takorawase, Wenchi, and Akwatia were included in the contracts awarded, he said.
Mr. Baidoo, who flipped the seat in favor of the NDC, promised to accelerate development efforts during his term in Parliament. “With the strong representation we now have and the connections I bring, infrastructure will see significant improvements,” he said. “That is the commitment from my government.”
The by-election was called following the passing of the previous MP, and served as a key test for both major parties ahead of Ghana’s general elections in 2028.
