The recently concluded Akwatia by-election may not have shifted the parliamentary arithmetic in Ghana, but it has triggered important reflections on the country’s democratic journey.
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, a Fellow of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and renowned good governance advocate, has highlighted critical lessons that political actors must pay attention to if they intend to remain relevant in Ghana’s evolving political landscape.
In an analytical commentary on the outcome of the contest, Prof. Asare stressed that while the numbers confirmed an expected victory for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), the broader takeaways from the polls extend far beyond who won or lost.
Drawing on findings from an exit poll conducted by Mussa Danquah’s Global InfoAnalytics, he argued that Akwatia’s voters have sent a clear message about the changing dynamics of electoral politics in Ghana.
According to the data, nearly 75 percent of voters in Akwatia fell within the 25 to 44 age bracket, making the constituency a microcosm of a youth-driven electorate.
For Prof. Asare, this is a loud reminder that “politics is a young person’s game, and leaders who ignore this demographic do so at their own peril.”
He noted that historical narratives that once shaped Ghana’s political alignments—the ideological divide of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and United Party (UP) traditions or the lived experiences of the Second and Third Republics—hold little sway over today’s voters. “This generation wants relevance, not relics,” he remarked.
Policy Substance over Nostalgia:
The Akwatia by-election further demonstrated that policy substance has become more important than nostalgia. Voters, Prof. Asare observed, are now motivated by issues that directly affect their livelihoods—such as jobs, education, health, housing, and corruption—rather than sentimental appeals to party history.
“No amount of history lessons will substitute for concrete plans,” he cautioned, emphasizing that political parties must craft practical solutions to pressing socio-economic challenges if they want to remain competitive.
Another striking lesson, he argued, is the diminishing value of political sloganeering. In a political culture where catchy phrases and heated insults have often dominated campaign platforms, the Akwatia experience showed that such rhetoric may amuse party faithful but does little to persuade swing voters.
“Slogans don’t pay rent,” Prof. Asare bluntly stated, underscoring the fact that pragmatic voters are increasingly focused on survival issues such as inflation, wages, and the rising cost of living.
In his analysis, Prof. Asare described the Akwatia electorate as “pragmatic and transactional,” noting their willingness to cross party lines when another option promises a better life.
He stressed that inherited party loyalty is weakening, as new voters exhibit greater independence of thought. “The new voter is willing to cross party lines or stay home if uninspired,” he said, signaling that Ghana’s political class must work harder to inspire confidence.
Voters’ Impatience:
He further warned that impatience is fast becoming a dominant trait among younger voters. According to Prof. Asare, the current demographic, raised in a digital environment with instant access to information, has little tolerance for delays, excuses, or “long stories.”
As a result, politicians who fail to deliver results quickly risk losing credibility. “They are better informed, harder to manipulate, and quicker to fact-check,” he explained, pointing to the role of social media in shaping political awareness.
Prof. Asare concluded that the by-election reinforced the power of the polling station as the ultimate arbiter of political performance. He argued that weak fundamentals—whether in messaging, leadership, or delivery—are quickly exposed when voters cast their ballots.
“The polling station is the meter. The voter has the final say,” he said, adding that tired faces and recycled promises are increasingly being rejected in favor of fresh ideas and credible leadership.
For him, the Akwatia race was less about numbers and more about the evolving character of Ghana’s democracy.
It showed that the electorate, particularly the youth, is reshaping the rules of political engagement. Political parties, therefore, must adjust their strategies to reflect this shift or risk irrelevance.
By Leo Nelson