The political mercury in the Akwatia Constituency is rising, with a prominent Koforidua-based lawyer and National Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwart, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, officially declaring his intention to contest the party’s upcoming parliamentary primaries.
The move sets the stage for a keenly watched internal battle as the NDC seeks to reclaim the Akwatia seat in the looming by-election.
Mr. Baidoo, who also serves as the NDC Constituency Secretary for Akwatia, wasted no time in picking up his nomination forms on Monday, July 28, from the party’s regional office in Koforidua.
His declaration was met with a resounding show of support, as he was accompanied by a powerful delegation of chiefs and elders from the constituency, all of whom endorsed him as the preferred candidate to represent the NDC in the crucial by-election.
The Akwatia seat became vacant following the untimely demise of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi, on Monday, July 7, 2025. While the Electoral Commission is yet to announce an official date for the by-election, the NDC has swiftly initiated its internal processes to select a formidable parliamentary candidate.
The race for the NDC ticket is shaping up to be a competitive one, with three hopefuls having already secured their nomination forms.
Alongside Mr. Baidoo, a legal luminary and party insider, businessman Erasmus Korney Ali and former MP Henry Boakye Yiadom, who was the NDC’s candidate in the 2024 parliamentary elections, are also vying for the coveted slot.
Intriguingly, Mr. Baidoo previously served as the legal counsel for Mr. Yiadom in his contentious court case challenging the election victory of the late Ernest Yaw Kumi in the 2024 general elections.
Speaking to reporters after collecting his forms, Mr. Baidoo exuded confidence, reiterating his readiness to spearhead the NDC’s charge to snatch the seat back from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“Yes, I was the NDC’s lawyer in the case involving Henry Boakye Yiadom (OKOYO) and Ernest Yaw Kumi, and it’s well known that I did my utmost. But that chapter is over; now anyone in the party who qualifies can run.
Does that mean I can’t run just because I was the former MP’s lawyer?” he queried, addressing lingering questions about his past legal representation.
He further elaborated, “I was still in court advocating for him, but sadly, everything has concluded after Kumi’s death.”
Mr. Baidoo, a respected member of the NDC’s Eastern Regional Legal Team, disclosed that his decision to contest was not solely his own, but a response to persistent calls from influential party members.
“I am participating in this race because people believe I am suited for it. I receive calls from prominent party leaders frequently asking me to represent the party. When such requests come in, it’s hard to decline,” he revealed, emphasizing the weight of the party’s trust placed upon him.
The NDC has outlined a swift timetable for its internal processes. All three aspiring candidates are expected to face vetting on Thursday, July 31, with the eagerly anticipated primaries slated for Monday, August 4.
The Akwatia by-election promises to be a fiery contest, and the NDC’s choice of candidate will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the political landscape of the Eastern Region.