Sympathy Votes Fail for the First Time, NDC Snatches Akwatia Seat – William Boadi, EAI
As of September 2025, Ghana has conducted a total of 32 parliamentary by-elections since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1993. These by-elections are typically held following the death or resignation of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs). In most cases, the party that previously held the seat has managed to retain it, often buoyed by sympathy votes from the electorate.
However, the recent Akwatia by-election has marked a groundbreaking moment in Ghanaian politics and set a new record for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). For the first time in the country’s Fourth Republic history, the sympathy votes that usually help the incumbent party retain its seat failed to materialize. This unprecedented development led to the opposition party NPP losing the Akwatia seat to the NDC.
This historic victory not only demonstrates the NDC’s increasing popularity but also signals a shift in voter sentiment, reflecting a more dynamic and competitive political landscape in Ghana. The party’s success in this by-election underscores its growing influence and its ability to capitalize on opportunities even in traditionally stronghold constituencies of its opponents.
As Ghana approaches future general elections, this milestone victory positions the NDC as a formidable force in parliamentary politics and a clear indication that voter loyalty is no longer guaranteed by sympathy alone.
We are one people. Ghana first.
Warm Regards
William Boadi
Executive Director of EAI, Educationist Political analyst and Social Worker.
+233541935106