Ayawaso East Set for By-Election as NDC Leads Polls Amid National Political Tensions

The Ghanaian political landscape is currently dominated by the transition in the Ayawaso East constituency following the death of its Member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama, on January 4, 2026. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority Caucus in Parliament recently paid a solemn tribute to the late lawmaker, praising his humility and dedication to public service, particularly his work on energy and infrastructure committees. Led by Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, a delegation visited the bereaved family and presented GH"100,000 to the late MP’s widow, Hajia Amina Adams, as the party prepares for a critical by-election scheduled for March 2026.

Recent data from Global InfoAnalytics suggests the NDC is firmly positioned to retain the seat. Hajia Amina Adams has emerged as the frontrunner in the NDC primary, securing 58% support among delegates, significantly ahead of her main rival, Baba Jamal, who holds 32%. Polling indicates that either candidate would likely defeat the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Baba Ali, in a general matchup, with Adams projected to win 73% of the vote. Analysts attribute Adams’ strong performance to a combination of grassroots support and sympathy following her husband’s passing, though they caution that voter turnout will be a deciding factor in the final results.

While the NDC focuses on the by-election, the ruling NPP is grappling with internal divisions following its January 31 presidential primaries. Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, former MP for Tema East, has publicly condemned Victoria Duncan-Williams for suggesting that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia cannot win the presidency due to religious demographics. Titus-Glover described the remarks as divisive and urged for Christian-Muslim unity. He also addressed defeated candidate Kennedy Agyapong, urging him to accept the primary results and discard the "No Ken, No Vote" sentiment to ensure party cohesion ahead of future elections.

Looking further ahead to 2028, political discourse is already intensifying regarding potential successors within the NDC. Social media debate has highlighted several figures, including Ato Forson and Naana Opoku Agyemang, as possible flagbearers. Speculation has been further fueled by President John Dramani Mahama’s recent comments on the importance of women in leadership, positioning Naana Jane as a formidable contender. These discussions emphasize that tribal balance, gender representation, and economic initiatives like a proposed Women’s Bank will be pivotal in shaping the 2028 race.

At the constituency level, grassroots engagement remains a priority for lawmakers. In Ketu North, MP Edem Agbana was recently honored by local brand GoldCoast Tokota for his support of indigenous entrepreneurs. Agbana used the opportunity to reiterate his commitment to youth employment and vocational training, highlighting plans to train local youth in shoemaking. These local initiatives, combined with the high-stakes national maneuvering, illustrate the multifaceted nature of Ghanaian politics as the country moves toward a series of pivotal electoral tests.