The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has said that the verdict of the Akwatia by-election demonstrates the electorate’s strong desire for progress and opportunity.

In an interview on Channel One TV, Mr Gbande remarked that the result was less about partisanship and more a statement from a constituency that has for years been left behind in terms of infrastructure and economic growth.

He argued that the outcome imposed a greater responsibility on the NDC to meet the aspirations of the people.

“The people are yearning for development. They want jobs, especially for the youth, and they expect that we deliver real infrastructure and growth. This verdict carries a weight of responsibility for us, and we are prepared to shoulder it,” he said.

Mr Gbande was also dismissive of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) campaign, insisting that the party’s chosen candidate lacked broad acceptance even within its own ranks.

According to him, the NPP’s defeat was inevitable because its leadership sidelined other aspirants and failed to inspire confidence in the constituency.

The by-election, conducted on 2 September 2025 following the death of the sitting MP, Ernest Kumi, saw the NDC’s Bernard Bediako Baidoo emerge victorious with 18,199 votes.

His closest rival, the NPP’s Solomon Kwame Asumadu, polled 15,235, while the Liberal Progressive Party’s Owusu Patrick secured 82 votes. A total of 303 ballots were rejected.