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.

Hon. Engineer George Kofi Arthur, former Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, has emerged as a leading contender for the position of Western Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), bringing to the contest over a decade of parliamentary service, strong party credentials, and extensive professional experience in engineering, education, and governance.

Born on February 24, 1969, at Wassa Agona Amenfi in the Western Region, Hon. Arthur’s political journey is rooted in long-standing public service and party activism. He served as MP for Amenfi Central from 2005 to 2017, completing three consecutive terms in Parliament, where he became known for committee leadership, policy depth, and institutional discipline.

His academic background combines education, engineering, and governance. He holds a Diploma in Education with Distinction in Educational Technology from the Presbyterian College of Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology (Electronics and Automotive option) from the University of Education, Winneba, and a Master’s Degree in Governance and Leadership from GIMPA. This multidisciplinary training underpins his technocratic approach to leadership and administration.

Professionally, Hon. Arthur has worked as a teacher, engineer, electronics specialist, and construction professional. His career includes stints at Toyota Ghana, Anyasco Electronics, and Afrangua Construction Limited, where he contributed to major road infrastructure projects across the Western and Western North Regions. These roles have given him first-hand knowledge of regional development challenges, particularly in infrastructure, employment, and industrial growth.

Within the NDC, his party credentials span grassroots organization and national engagement. He has served as General Secretary of the Mpohor Constituency, a member of the party’s National Communications Team, and held several leadership positions during his student and professional life. His parliamentary committee work covered Roads and Transport, Public Accounts, Defence and Interior, Agriculture, Housing, Employment and Social Welfare, among others. Notably, he served as Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee and as Deputy Ranking Member of the Public Accounts Committee for over a decade.

Political analysts within the party point to his combination of legislative experience, administrative competence, and regional development exposure as key qualifications for the Western Regional Chairmanship. Supporters argue that his deep understanding of party structures, coupled with his ability to coordinate across constituencies and stakeholder groups, positions him to strengthen party cohesion and electoral performance in the region.

As the NDC prepares for internal contests ahead of future national elections, Hon. Engineer George Kofi Arthur’s profile reflects a candidate grounded in experience rather than rhetoric—one whose record in Parliament, party organization, and professional service aligns with the strategic demands of the Western Regional Chairman role.

Honourable Joan Gyan Cudjoe, member of Parliament for Amenfi-Central, has been named as a recipient of the World Diplomatic Federation’s prestigious Pillar of Community Development Honour at the upcoming Blackstar Acclamation Honorary Award Summit 25/26, in recognition of her outstanding commitment to community development, public service, and social empowerment.

The award, one of the summit’s most revered distinctions, celebrates individuals whose leadership and service have produced lasting impact at the grassroots and national levels. Hon. Joan Gyan Cudjoe’s selection reflects years of dedicated advocacy, people-centred governance, and a consistent drive to uplift communities through inclusive development initiatives.

Known for her unwavering dedication to social progress, Hon. Cudjoe has distinguished herself as a leader who places community welfare at the heart of governance. Her work has touched critical areas such as youth empowerment, women’s advancement, education advocacy, and community cohesion, earning her respect across political, civic, and traditional spheres.

The Blackstar Acclamation Honorary Award Summit 25/26 seek to spotlight exemplary leaders whose contributions align with nation-building, ethical leadership, and sustainable development. Hon. Cudjoe’s recognition as a Pillar of Community Development underscores her role as a bridge between policy and people, one who understands that meaningful leadership is measured by lives improved, not titles held.

World Diplomatic Federation, organisers of the award summit, emphasised that the Pillar of Community Development Honour is reserved for individuals whose influence inspires collective responsibility and positive social change. Hon. Cudjoe’s leadership journey, marked by accessibility, integrity, and purposeful action, aligns seamlessly with these values.

Beyond formal leadership, Hon. Joan Gyan Cudjoe has remained deeply rooted in community engagement, championing initiatives that promote unity, opportunity, and resilience. Her approach continues to inspire emerging leaders and reaffirm the importance of service-driven leadership in Ghana’s democratic and developmental landscape.

The Blackstar Acclamation Honorary Award Summit 25/26 on the theme “Rebuilding Trust, restoring Hope: A New Era of Governance in Ghana, ‘‘focusing on President John Dramani Mahama’s extraordinary performance and commitment to public service and also recognizing the entirety of the fourth Republic of Ghana are expected to bring together policymakers, traditional authorities, diplomats, creatives, entrepreneurs, and development stakeholders to celebrate excellence and discuss pathways for Africa’s growth. Hon. Cudjoe’s recognition will stand as a defining highlight of the summit, an affirmation that community-focused leadership remains central to national progress.

As Ghana and Africa continue to shape narratives of excellence on the global stage, the honour bestowed on Hon. Joan Gyan Cudjoe serves as both recognition and reminder: that enduring impact begins with service, and true leadership is built on community.

The Blackstar Acclamation Honorary Award ceremony will take place on Friday, 27th March, 2026, at the luxurious Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, starting at 9 pm.