The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that a by-election will be held in the Akwatia Constituency on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. This follows the unfortunate passing of the sitting Member of Parliament, Ernest Kumi.

In a statement signed by EC Chairperson Jean Mensa, the Commission declared the seat officially vacant, invoking Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution to justify the by-election.

Nomination forms for interested candidates will be accepted from Monday, August 11 to Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the EC’s Denkyembour District Office. Submissions will be open between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and again from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Requirements for Aspiring Candidates:

Download nomination forms from the EC’s website (www.ec.gov.gh) between July 30 and August 13

Submit four completed copies of the form

Obtain signatures from a proposer and a seconder, along with endorsements from 18 additional registered voters in the constituency

Attach two recent passport-sized photographs (with red background, full face, and visible ears)

Include a signed declaration of consent

The filing fee is set at GHC10,000 per candidate. However, female aspirants and persons with disabilities (PWDs) will pay a reduced fee of GHC7,500.

The EC called on all political actors and stakeholders to strictly follow the outlined schedule and requirements. The Commission reaffirmed its dedication to delivering a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process in Akwatia.

Parliament has approved the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025 — a major legislative milestone aimed at modernising Ghana’s fisheries sector and enhancing its sustainability and global competitiveness.

The bill introduces a robust legal framework to govern the development, conservation, and regulation of the fisheries and aquaculture industry, a sector critical to Ghana’s economy through job creation, food security, and foreign exchange earnings.

A key objective of the bill is to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing through tougher penalties and the introduction of an Electronic Monitoring System. This move is in response to growing international pressure, particularly from the European Union and the United States, which require legal and traceable sourcing of seafood.

Preventing Trade Sanctions

Ghana’s current Fisheries Act, enacted in 2002, has been criticised as outdated and ineffective in addressing modern challenges. In 2021, the European Commission issued Ghana a “yellow card” for failing to adequately combat IUU fishing — a warning that could escalate to a “red card” and an export ban. Such a sanction could cost Ghana nearly $426 million in lost revenue.

To avoid this, the new bill consolidates and reforms existing laws and regulations, setting up a Fisheries Commission to oversee long-term resource management and aligning local legislation with international commitments such as the Port State Measures Agreement.

Driving Sustainable Development

The bill was presented to Parliament by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Emelia Arthur on June 3, 2025, and reviewed by the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs. The committee’s report, signed by Chairman Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, emphasised the urgency of legal reforms to address current gaps in areas like aquaculture practices, post-harvest handling, inland fisheries, gear technology, and climate resilience.

Earlier reviews by the World Bank and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlighted inconsistencies in Ghana’s fragmented legal structure. The new law addresses these shortcomings by providing a unified, modernised legal framework that supports long-term ecological sustainability and market viability.

Once signed into law by the President, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025, will be a game-changer — positioning Ghana’s fisheries sector for future growth, international compliance, and environmental stewardship.

In a stunning political upset, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has captured the Ablekuma North parliamentary seat for the first time in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, with candidate Ewurabena Aubynn narrowly defeating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akua Afriyie by 209 votes in a tense re-run election.

The final results, announced late Friday night, showed Aubynn securing 34,090 votes to Afriyie’s 33,881, according to the Electoral Commission (EC). The contest spanned 281 polling stations, including 19 where voting was repeated on July 11. A total of 68,382 ballots were cast, with 411 rejected.

The re-run followed a legal battle after the original December 2024 election ended in controversy, with disputes over unsigned result sheets. Although the NPP initially claimed victory with a 414-vote margin, a High Court ruling in January 2025 halted certification and ordered further collation. Persistent irregularities led the EC to call for a full re-run.

The NPP’s campaign was hampered by deep internal divisions. Party leaders boycotted the re-run, branding it “electoral injustice,” but Afriyie pressed on independently, backed by some grassroots supporters. This internal strife, combined with sporadic election-day violence—including an attack on Afriyie and former Minister Hawa Koomson—further weakened the party’s footing.

Voting was marred by chaos at several polling stations. Unidentified individuals disrupted proceedings, and a police officer was interdicted after reportedly assaulting a journalist. Despite the tension, the process continued, and voter turnout remained high.

Aubynn’s victory represents a major shift in the political dynamics of Greater Accra. Analysts point to the NPP’s fractured front, the EC’s firm stance on electoral integrity, and the NDC’s focused campaign—especially its appeal to young voters—as key factors behind the historic win.

With this breakthrough, the NDC has not only ended the NPP’s decades-long grip on Ablekuma North but also signaled a potential reshaping of electoral loyalties in one of Ghana’s most competitive regions.