Mustapha Gbande, the deputy General Secretary for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), has revealed that the party is yet to decide whether it will contest in the Akwatia by-election.
According to Mustapha Gbande, the NDC is still mourning the late Ernest Yaw Kumi.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mustapha Gbande stated, “We in the NDC are still mourning the late Ernest Yaw Kumi. I am not the one to announce whether or not we are contesting. Should the party decide that we should go for an election, we will. We are yet to decide”.
Ernest Kumi passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Ernest Kumi was serving as a first-term member of parliament after his victory in the 2024 elections.
The lawmaker’s death comes just weeks after the Supreme Court overturned his contempt conviction related to the disputed 2024 parliamentary election results.
The late Ernest Kumi, in February 2025, was found guilty by the Koforidua High Court after he defied an interim injunction barring him from presenting himself for swearing-in as an MP.
The Koforidua High Court issued a bench warrant for his arrest, alluding to his failure to attend court hearings and his disregard for the court’s authority.
Meanwhile, Ghana Article 112(5) of the 1992 constitution states that whenever a vacancy occurs in Parliament, the Clerk of Parliament notifies the Electoral Commission in writing within seven days after becoming aware that the vacancy has occurred.
A by-election is then held within thirty days after the vacancy occurred, except that where the vacancy occurred through the death of a member, the by-election shall be held within sixty days after the occurrence of the vacancy.
The 112(5) added that a by-election shall not be held within three months before the holding of a general election.
