The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dismissed suggestions that its defeat in the Akwatia by-election was due to dwindling support, instead pointing to what it describes as inducements and the misuse of incumbency by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Evans Nimako, the party’s Director of Research and Elections, argued that the outcome could not be interpreted as a clear rejection of the NPP.

Speaking on Channel One TV on Wednesday, September 3, he claimed the NDC’s victory was influenced by questionable tactics rather than a shift in voter confidence.

“We witnessed inducements in the constituency, we witnessed abuse of incumbency — these were evident,” Mr Nimako said, noting that while the NDC’s Bernard Bediako won by nearly 3,000 votes, the figures should be assessed against the NPP’s record in the 2024 general election.

He reminded critics that the NPP had retained Akwatia only last December with a margin of over 2,000 votes, and therefore, the latest result should be seen in context.

The by-election, which followed the passing of the sitting MP, Ernest Kumi, has since sparked debate on its wider implications for the NPP’s prospects in 2028.