Ghana’s top police official said Monday that security forces are fully prepared to ensure a peaceful parliamentary by-election in the Akwatia constituency, set for Tuesday, September 2, following the death of sitting Member of Parliament Ernest Kumi.
Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno gave the assurance during a tour of the constituency, including an inspection of the Collation Centre. Yohuno met with senior Electoral Commission (EC) officials, including National Director of Training Dr. Serebour Quaicoe and Eastern Regional Director John Appiah Baffoe.
“We’re strong on the ground. We’re fully prepared,” Yohuno said. “We will give you the support.”
The by-election is being closely watched in Ghanaian political circles, with independent polling showing a tight race between the country’s two major parties. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Bernard Baidoo Bediako, holds a narrow lead over the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Solomon Asumadu.
A survey conducted by Sanity Africa between August 1 and 27 shows Bediako with 52.3% of the vote, ahead of Asumadu’s 47.7%—a 4.6 percentage point margin. A separate poll from Global Info Analytics puts Bediako at 53%, compared with Asumadu’s 47%.
While the margin remains close, both polls suggest a modest but consistent advantage for the NDC candidate as voters prepare to cast their ballots in what could be a bellwether contest ahead of Ghana’s 2028 general elections.
The outcome in Akwatia, a politically sensitive swing constituency in the Eastern Region, is expected to offer early insight into the national mood as the NDC and NPP gear up for a broader electoral showdown .
