Three aspirants have picked up nomination forms to contest the upcoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Akwatia constituency.

The contenders are former Member of Parliament, Henry Boakye; Bernard Bediako Baidoo, the current NDC Akwatia Constituency Secretary; and Erasmus Koney Ali.

Per the party’s guidelines, all three — along with any other individuals who file nominations by the close of Wednesday, July 30 — will be vetted on Thursday, July 31. Balloting will be held immediately after the vetting ahead of the primaries slated for Monday, August 4, 2025.

The NDC is preparing to elect a new candidate following the passing of the sitting MP, which has necessitated a by-election in the constituency.

Meanwhile, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reportedly settled on Solomon Kwame Asumadu, Chief Executive Officer of Owuo Mining Company, as its parliamentary candidate for the by-election.

The party explained that the decision followed broad consultations among stakeholders, during which proposals to hold a primary were overwhelmingly rejected in favour of consensus.

Earlier speculation that the widow of the late MP, Mrs. Mavis Kumi, might be selected to contest the seat was dismissed by Eastern Regional NPP Chairman Jeff Konadu.

He described the reports as “false and misleading.”