The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)Justin Frimpong Kodua, has defended his party’s decision to decline to take part in a peace negotiation scheduled by the National Peace Council-scheduled Akwatia by-election.
The National Peace Council, prior to the Akwatia by-election invited the national leadership of the NDC and NPP to a quick meeting on Monday, September 1, 2025, to talk about issues pertaining to peace.
The NPP, however, left the meeting after claiming that it had been misrepresented.
Mr. Frimpong Kodua in addressing the media asserted that the NDC disrespected the Peace Council by sending constituency executives in Akwatia as representatives for the meeting, whereas the NPP sent its national executives.
He stressed that the party had no point to stay in the meeting under such circumstances.
“Why should it be a cause to worry? The Peace Council sent letter to the General Secretary, invites NPP to come. We sent our National Youth Organiser, our head of security and intelligence committee, honourable Henry Quartey only to attend that meeting and see constituency deputy youth organizer, constituency deputy organizer. Is it not an insult even to the Peace Council? Were you expecting us to stay there?,” he said.
Voting is however underway in Akwatia by-election. Over 50,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots in the highly anticipated contest, which has become a major political showdown between the country’s two leading parties.
The by-election was necessitated by the death of the area’s lawmaker, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is being represented by Bernard Bediako Baidoo, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is represented by Solomon Kwame Asumadu.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has assured political parties, candidates, and voters of a transparent and credible process.
The Ghana Police Service has also deployed more than 5,500 officers across the constituency as part of measures to ensure a peaceful election.
Author: Jasmine Adjei
Development journalist
