Kumawu by-election: “NDC made significant gains in NPP’s stronghold despite overnight development projects — Ablakwa

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu has accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of using its incumbency to its advantage in the recently concluded by-election in Kumawu.

He said the NPP government embarked on outrageous vote-buying and overnight development projects including tarring of roads.

"It's been a very valuable experience acting as a polling agent in yesterday's Kumawu by-election," Mr. Ablakwa, who worked as a polling agent in Kumawu during the Tuesday, May 23, byelection, stated in a tweet.

He added, "I congratulate Ernest Yaw Anim of the NPP on his victory and am eager for him to join us in Parliament.

“The NDC’s Kwasi Amankwaa deserves lots of credit for improving our 2020 fortunes by securing 3,723 valid votes representing 17.29% as compared with 2,439 (8.33%) garnered by his predecessor. Mr. Amankwaa thus moved from 3rd to 2nd position with an overall improvement from 2020 of 52.6% compared with a measly improvement of 2% by the NPP."

He continued “NDC’s significant gains in the NPP’s stronghold of Kumawu despite the blatant abuse of incumbency manifested by overnight development projects and condemnable vote-buying is both instructive and a cautionary tale to the NPP, particularly as turn-out still dropped by some 7,744 regardless of the avalanche of inducements.

“The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government must prioritise the needs of Ghanaians at all times and not only when a by-election has been occasioned. May we nourish Ghana’s Democracy with the right values for our collective progress.”

Below are the full certified results

1. Ernest Yaw Anim (NPP) – 15,264 (70.91%)
2. Kwasi Amankwah (NDC) – 3,723 (17.29%)
3. Kwaku Duah 1 (Ind) – 2,478 (11.51%)
4. Kwaku Duah 2 (Ind) – 62 (0.29%)

• Total valid votes – 21,527
• Rejected – 204,
• Total votes cast – 21,731,
• Registered voters – 34,790,
• Turnout – 62.46%