Bernard Bediako Baidoo – Adomonline.com

Akwatia by-election: Fear of violence affecting voter turnout – Bediako Baidoo

Faridatu Seidu — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:58:57 +0000

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary candidate in the Akwatia by-election, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, has expressed concern that the fear of violence is discouraging eligible voters from participating in the polls.

Speaking to JoyNews after casting his ballot on Tuesday, September 2, Mr. Baidoo said rumours of unrest, often spread by people outside Akwatia, have created unnecessary panic.

“You know that when it comes to by-elections, sometimes the number is very low. This is all because of people who sit on radio stations who are not from Akwatia and keep saying that violence will happen here,” he said.

He explained that such commentary has led some residents working outside the constituency to abandon plans of travelling home to vote.

“If someone from Akwatia is working in Accra and needs to come and vote here, the person is afraid to come. Meanwhile, those who say these things are not even from this town,” he noted.

Despite the low turnout, the NDC candidate expressed optimism about his chances, particularly in his strongholds.

“The good thing is that, in my strongholds, I have seen that the votes coming from those areas are massive, so this indicates that I will win.

“I have been in this game for a long time, and the town that I come from, definitely, the votes will shoot up,” he added.

Mr. Baidoo stressed that elections should be about ideas, not violence, and urged all stakeholders to ensure peace.

“Voting should not be marred by fighting and violence. It’s about idea-sharing and how we want the country to thrive. Whoever comes out victorious, we will support that person.”

He maintained that while rumours of violence have contributed to the low voter turnout, the numbers from his strongholds give him confidence.

“Relatively, in a by-election, you could garner 5 to 10 votes, but if the votes are from 15 to 20 votes, then it means you have an idea it’s going well in your favour. So if the votes are low, it means you are in trouble.”

Source:myjoyonline

READ ALSO:

“Akwatia by-election no apicki ama me” – NDC’s Bernard Baidoo [Video]

Gertrude Okyere — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:25:09 +0000

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in the Akwatia by-election, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, has expressed confidence in winning the contest, though he remains unsure about the size of his victory margin.

Speaking to journalists shortly after casting his ballot on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Baidoo said his assurance stems from feedback received during his campaign.

“As for the win, that is settled. What is left is the margin. Call me in the next two hours and I’ll be able to tell you the figures,” he stated confidently.

https://youtu.be/rRr4WB8b3e4

He added that engaging with residents during the campaign convinced him of the support he enjoys. “When you listen carefully to their concerns and responses, you can tell where the support lies. That’s why I’m confident,” he noted.

Baidoo also commended the Electoral Commission, security agencies, and voters for ensuring a peaceful process.

“The exercise has been very peaceful, and that is what we prayed for. I have visited most of the polling stations, and I am impressed by how the EC officials, the police, and the electorates have conducted themselves,” he said.

More than 50,000 registered voters are casting their ballots across 119 polling centres in Akwatia. The by-election follows the passing of the area’s former Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi.

Source: AdomOnline

ALSO READ:

Akwatia by-election: Lawyer defends decision to contest ‘his client’ in NDC primaries [Listen]

Gertrude Okyere — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 09:39:07 +0000

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the upcoming Akwatia by-election, Bernard Bediako, has defended his decision to contest against his former client, Henry Boakye Yiadom, in the party primaries.

Mr. Bediako, who also serves as the NDC Constituency Secretary for Akwatia, polled 380 votes in the primaries held on Monday, August 4, 2025. He defeated close contender Erasmus Ali Korney, who secured 366 votes, and former MP and 2024 parliamentary candidate Henry Boakye Yiadom, whom he previously represented as legal counsel, with Mr. Yiadom garnering 226 votes.

His victory drew mixed reactions, largely due to his decision to contest while his former client was also in the race.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Bediako explained that his entry into the race was prompted by calls from the grassroots.

“I was done with my work as a legal representative and took over my political hat. The branches and some stakeholders impressed upon me to come in and change a certain narrative. That is why I contested, and the delegates believed in me,” he said.

He described Mr. Yiadom as a father figure and revealed that they continue to share a strong bond despite the primary contest. According to him, Mr. Yiadom has been instrumental in shaping his campaign strategy for the upcoming polls.

http://www.adomonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/NDC-Akwatia-PC-.mp3

“Just after the election, he asked me to bring my strategy so we hit the ground working. He has been with me day and night for this campaign together with other bigwigs. They believe in the strategy we are using,” he added.

Mr. Bediako stressed that the Akwatia by-election is a fresh contest and should not be linked to the legal challenges that followed the 2024 parliamentary elections.

“If the court had ordered a re-run, I wouldn’t have had any chance to contest because that would have been wrong. But this is a fresh election with a new NPP candidate and a new NDC candidate,” he clarified.

Taking a swipe at his main opponent, Solomon Asumadu of the NPP, Mr. Bediako noted that unlike the NDC, whose former aspirants have rallied behind him, his rival lacks the backing of those who previously expressed interest in the NPP race.

The Akwatia by-election is scheduled for September 2, 2025, following the death of sitting MP Ernest Yaw Kumi.

Source: Gertrude Otchere

ALSO READ:

NDC’s Bernard Bediako confident of victory ahead of Akwatia by-election

Gertrude Okyere — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 11:11:12 +0000

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia by-election, Bernard Bediako, has expressed confidence in winning the upcoming poll scheduled for September 2, 2025.

The Electoral Commission (EC) declared the Akwatia seat vacant following the passing of MP Ernest Kumi, paving the way for the contest.

Speaking to journalists in Akwatia on Sunday, August 17, Mr. Bediako said the NDC is actively engaging voters across the constituency.

“We are moving through towns and communities to share our message. Today being market day in Akwatia, we started there to engage the people. We want them to see why voting for me and the NDC will bring the needed development to Akwatia,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) demonstrated its strength with a Unity Walk to rally support for its candidate, Solomon Kwame Asumadu.

The walk, led by Eastern Regional Chairman Jeff Konadu Addo and other regional leaders, attracted thousands of party faithful. They were joined by National Youth Organiser Salam Mustapha, constituency executives, polling station representatives, and grassroots supporters.

Chants, music, and placards filled the streets as participants marched through Akwatia. Organisers described the massive turnout as evidence of the NPP’s determination to win the September 2 by-election.

NPP candidate Solomon Asumadu, meanwhile, remains optimistic, asserting he will defeat Mr. Bediako by a 10,000-vote margin.

Source: Adomonline.com

ALSO READ:

Bernard Bediako Baidoo wins NDC primaries ahead of Akwatia by-election

Gertrude Okyere — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:44:21 +0000

Private legal practitioner Bernard Bediako Baidoo has been elected the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia by-election.

Mr. Baidoo, who also serves as the NDC Constituency Secretary for Akwatia, polled 380 votes in the primaries held on Monday, August 4, 2025.

He defeated his close contender, Erasmus Ali Korney, who secured 366 votes, and former MP and 2024 parliamentary candidate Henry Yiadom Boakye, whom he previously represented as legal counsel in court, as Mr. Yiadom garnered 226 votes.

Out of 1,075 eligible voters, 975 cast their ballots, with three votes rejected.

Following Mr. Baidoo’s victory, he will battle the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) acclaimed candidate, Solomon Asumadu, in what is expected to be a fiercely contested race.

The Electoral Commission has scheduled the by-election for September 2, following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Ernest Kumi, on July 7 after a short illness.

Source: Adomonline.com

ALSO READ:

Top NDC lawyer picks forms to contest Akwatia primaries

Gertrude Okyere — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:17:18 +0000

A Koforidua-based private legal practitioner, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, has officially declared his intention to contest the upcoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Akwatia constituency ahead of the impending by-election.

Mr. Baidoo, who also serves as the NDC Constituency Secretary for Akwatia, picked up his nomination forms on Monday, July 28, at the Eastern Regional party office in Koforidua.

He was accompanied by a group of chiefs and elders from the constituency, who expressed strong support for his bid, describing him as the best candidate to lead the NDC in the area.

The Akwatia seat became vacant following the passing of the Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi, on Monday, July 7, 2025.

Although the Electoral Commission is yet to officially announce the date for the by-election, the NDC has begun internal processes to elect a parliamentary candidate.

So far, three individuals have picked up nomination forms. They are:

Bernard Bediako Baidoo, lawyer and constituency secretary
Erasmus Korney Ali, businessman
Henry Boakye Yiadom, former MP and the NDC’s 2024 parliamentary candidate

Mr. Baidoo notably served as the legal representative for Mr. Yiadom in his court challenge against the late Ernest Yaw Kumi’s victory in the 2024 general election.

Speaking to journalists after picking his forms, Mr. Baidoo emphasized his readiness to lead the NDC in reclaiming the seat from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“Yes, I was the NDC’s lawyer in the case between Henry Boakye Yiadom (OKOYO) and Ernest Yaw Kumi, and everyone knows I did my best. But the phase has ended; the floodgates are now open for any party member who qualifies to contest. Does it mean I can’t contest because I was the former MP’s lawyer?” he questioned.

He added, “I was still in court fighting for him, but unfortunately, everything has come to an end following Kumi’s passing.”

Mr. Baidoo, who also serves on the NDC’s Eastern Regional Legal Team, disclosed that senior figures within the party encouraged him to contest.

“I am in this race because people think I am well cut for it. I have top party bigwigs calling on me every now and then to represent the party. And when such calls come, it becomes difficult to turn down the request,” he explained.

The NDC is expected to vet the three aspirants on Thursday, July 31, and hold the primaries on Monday, August 4.

Kofi Siaw

ALSO READ: