Politics
49,966 Voters Head to the Polls in Ayawaso East By-Election Amid Tight Security
A total of 49,966 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots today in the Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election to choose a new representative in Parliament.
The poll follows the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama, who passed away in January at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Candidates and Ballot Positions
At the close of nominations and balloting on February 12, 2026, the National Democratic Congress candidate, Baba Jamal, secured the first position on the ballot.
Ibrahim Iddrisu, representing the Liberal Party of Ghana, drew the second slot, while Yussif Baba Ali of the New Patriotic Party placed third.
Two independent candidates, Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Sanda and David Kannor, occupy the fourth and fifth positions respectively.
The outcome of today’s vote will determine who takes over the Ayawaso East seat in Parliament.
Electoral Commission Assures Readiness
The Electoral Commission of Ghana has expressed confidence in its preparedness for the exercise.
A Director of the Commission, Sam Dottoh Kwaah, indicated that all categories of election officials had been recruited and trained. He disclosed that two Biometric Verification Devices had been deployed to each of the 113 polling stations in the constituency.
According to him, ballot papers as well as Statement of Poll and Declaration of Results forms were printed and delivered to the constituency ahead of the polls.
Heavy Security Deployment
The Ghana Police Service has announced the deployment of about 80 officers to each polling station as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly process.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Asong Ayrakwa, Deputy Nima District Police Commander, assured residents that adequate personnel would be on standby to respond to any emergency.
In the lead-up to the election, the police conducted a show of force and route march through the principal streets of the constituency. The exercise was aimed at reassuring residents, deterring potential disturbances, and demonstrating the Service’s readiness to maintain law and order before, during and after the vote.
Intense Campaigns Ahead of Poll
Political parties and candidates intensified their campaigns in the final days before the by-election. Campaign vans blaring music moved through inner communities, while supporters embarked on door-to-door engagements to canvass votes.
The NDC held a final rally last Sunday to energise its base and boost voter turnout, describing the contest as crucial. Party leaders acknowledged that turnout in by-elections is often low and urged supporters to come out in large numbers.
During the rally, the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, announced the expulsion of Umaru Sanda Mohammed from the NDC after he chose to contest as an independent candidate. He stated that the former member would be barred from contesting any party position for several years should he seek to return.
On the other side, senior figures of the NPP, including General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua and former General Secretary John Boadu, were spotted campaigning in parts of the constituency, including a neighbourhood popularly known as Gutter.
Historical Voting Pattern
Ayawaso East has traditionally been a stronghold of the NDC in recent elections.
In the 2024 parliamentary election, the late Alhaji Mahama secured 22,139 votes, representing 70.85 percent, while the NPP candidate polled 9,110 votes, or 29.15 percent.
In 2020, he garnered 23,583 votes, equivalent to 61.18 percent, defeating the NPP’s Peter Kwame Antwi Mireku, who obtained 14,966 votes.
Similarly, in the 2016 polls, he won with 23,407 votes, representing 62.10 percent, ahead of the NPP candidate and other minor party contenders.
As voting gets underway today, attention is firmly fixed on whether the constituency will maintain its voting trend or chart a new political direction.
Politics
FROM VISION TO ACTION: DR. CHINA’S GRASSROOTS REVOLUTION THE NPP CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS
Dr. Charles Dwamena, popularly known as Dr. China, has distinguished himself as a visionary and grassroots-centered leader whose ideas reflect a deep understanding of the realities of party members at the base. At a time when many speak about empowering the grassroots, he has demonstrated the courage and clarity to design practical systems that directly improve their welfare.
As NPP National Treasurer, his proposal of the Group Accident Insurance Scheme remains one of the most forward-thinking policies ever introduced within the party. It was simple, sustainable, and impactful. With just GHS 1.47 deducted from the minimum annual dues of GHS 24, every member in good standing would have been covered, guaranteeing GHS 100,000 for accidental death or permanent disability, weekly income support for temporary disability, and up to GHS 10,000 in medical care. This was not merely a welfare policy; it was a strategic intervention that combined member protection with financial strengthening of the party.
What makes this initiative even more compelling is that it enjoyed 98.14% support from the grassroots. A clear indication that Dr. China’s leadership resonates with the base and responds directly to their needs. It was a rare opportunity for the party to institutionalize care, build loyalty, and create a strong emotional bond with its members.
Yet, despite its overwhelming support and obvious benefits, this policy was frustrated and never implemented. That failure represents one of the biggest missed opportunities for the NPP, a chance to move from rhetoric to reality in addressing grassroots welfare. The party had before it a ready-made solution to protect its members, motivate its base, and strengthen its internal systems, but internal bottlenecks denied it that breakthrough.
It is within this context that Dr. China’s ambition to serve as NPP General Secretary becomes both relevant and urgent. His experience as Treasurer has exposed the gaps in execution and the structural constraints that stall progress. More importantly, it has strengthened his resolve to fix them.
Dr. China is not offering promises; he is offering proven ideas waiting to be implemented. His vision is clear—to build a party where the grassroots are not only mobilized during elections but are protected, valued, and supported at all times.
In essence, what was halted at the level of Treasurer can be fully realized at the level of General Secretary. And for a party seeking renewal and reconnection with its base, Dr. China represents a practical, results-oriented leadership, one that turns vision into action and places the grassroots at the center of party progress.

DR CHINA FOR NPP GENERAL SECRETARY IS NON- NEGOTIABLE
Obiri Yeboah
Former Polling Station Organizer
054 067 3993
Politics
If Trump Can Destroy Iran, Why Not Just Open the Strait of Hormuz?
Kaakyire Badu writes:
Donald Trump has threatened to wipe out Iran within hours. He said he will destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges, and even wipe out an entire civilization. But Tehran is not showing fear. Iranian officials are pushing back, and many people are asking if the U.S. is bluffing, and if Iran is ready to call that bluff. This situation raises two main questions.
First, if this is really about the Strait of Hormuz and Trump wants it open, and if he truly has the power to destroy bridges, power plants, or an entire country as he claims, why doesn’t he use that power on the Strait alone? Why threaten the whole nation instead of just taking control of that waterway so ships can pass? Does this mean Iran is so strong at the Strait of Hormuz that even American power cannot do anything there?
Second, Iran’s reaction is strange. When faced with threats to destroy power plants, bridges, and send the country back to the Stone Age, Tehran still looks calm. A country that is weaker militarily would usually try to back down. Iran is instead waiting to see what Trump will do. Is that confidence, a mistake, or are they hiding something?
Does Iran have some hidden power that can match or beat the U.S., and they are just staying quiet and playing weak while they wait? America has said Iran must not build nuclear weapons. Could it be that Iran has already built a nuclear weapon in secret—one that America does not know about—that can reach the U.S. and kill many people? Would that explain why they are not afraid?
Or could it be that other countries like Russia or China are secretly backing Iran? Are they promising to help Iran so it will not surrender? Something about this does not add up, and the whole world could be affected. Many people are now talking about World War III.
My own belief, based on the Bible, is that there will not be a real World War III. I believe God would step in before that happens. But things do look strange right now. It could also be that Bible prophecies are being fulfilled, and that God is hardening hearts like He did with Pharaoh. Pharaoh had a simple way to save Egypt and his family, but he could not obey, and disaster came on him and on Israel.
I think we should be concerned:
That may be the pattern we are seeing now.
Politics
Minority Demands Immediate Scrapping of GH₵1 Fuel Levy Amid Surging Prices and Economic Pressure
The Minority in Parliament has intensified calls for the immediate removal of the GH₵1 fuel levy, warning that the policy is exacerbating the financial strain on Ghanaians already battling rising living costs.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament, the Deputy Ranking Member of the Energy Committee, Collins Adomako Mensah, described the continued imposition of the levy as unjustifiable and punitive.
“The justification for this levy no longer exists. Keeping it is not policy—it is punishment,” he stated, urging government to urgently repeal the Energy Sector Levy Amendment Act, 2025 under a certificate of urgency.
The renewed pressure from the Minority comes against the backdrop of escalating global tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, as well as disruptions to oil supply routes following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—developments that have triggered a sharp increase in fuel prices.
Energy analysts warn that crude oil prices could surge to between $110 and $120 per barrel if the conflict persists. This could drive petrol prices in Ghana to as high as GH₵15 to GH₵17 per litre.
As of the second pricing window in March 2026, diesel was retailing at GH₵15.60 per litre, while petrol prices had already crossed GH₵12.40 per litre.
Mr. Mensah noted that the GH₵1 levy was originally introduced to support liquid fuel procurement and address longstanding debts within the energy sector. However, he argued that the government has already met these obligations.
According to him, between January and December 2025, approximately $1.47 billion was spent to stabilise the sector, including the full repayment of the GH₵597 million World Bank partial risk guarantee and the settlement of outstanding gas supply invoices.
“With the debt addressed and guarantees restored, the so-called One Ghana Cedi Levy serves no purpose and should be repealed immediately,” he stressed.
He further revealed that the Minority will push for a broader review of taxes and levies embedded in fuel pricing, with the aim of identifying opportunities to ease the burden on consumers.
The caucus had earlier staged a walkout in protest against the levy, citing weak fiscal justification and poor timing. They now maintain that urgent government intervention is needed to shield households from worsening economic hardship driven by global oil market volatility.
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