
Justin Frimpong Kodua, NPP General Secretary

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) says the outcome of the Assin North by-election is a wake-up call for the party, prompting it to “evaluate its approach, make rational retrospective assessments, and conduct thorough analysis”.
A statement released yesterday by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, urged “dedicated party supporters to submit their comments and recommendations to the national secretariat of the party for consideration and possible implementation”.
The governing party also reiterated its unwavering commitment to collaborating with other political parties, key electoral stakeholders and the people of Ghana to further enhance the practice of democracy in the country.
The party extended profound gratitude to all who contributed to its preparations for the Assin North by-election held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
“The leadership of the Party would like to express its deepest appreciation to H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic; H. E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President; Mrs. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff; Regional Chairmen of the Party; Presidential Aspirants; and the stalwart Campaign Team for their unwavering dedication, commitment, and overwhelming support,” the statement acknowledged.
Appreciation
The statement also thanked all Ministers, Members of Parliament, Chief Executive Officers, Deputy Chief Executive Officers, MMDCES, other government appointees and all party adherents for their diverse contributions towards the party’s efforts.
“While we had diligently worked towards reclaiming the Assin North parliamentary seat, we respect the decision and judgment of the people of the Assin North Constituency. The NDC’S victory in the by-election adds to Ghana’s democratic credentials,” the statement noted.
The statement further indicated that the recent two by-elections had demonstrated the strength of the country’s democracy, with outcomes favouring different political parties, stressing that this is a testament to Ghana’s much touted accolade as a bastion of peace and stable democracy on the African continent.
The party also extended its warmest congratulations to the National Democratic Congress and the Member of Parliament-elect for the Assin North constituency on their electoral victory.
“In spite of the conduct of some personnel of the Ghana Police Service that were deployed to man the elections, we commend the security services for their joint efforts during and after the elections. We further commend the Electoral Commission for ensuring a successful election. Finally, we express our gratitude to the hundreds of journalists who worked tirelessly and responsibly to provide up-to-date feedback from the Assin North poll for the benefit of all Ghanaians,” the statement added.
Head up
Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on members of the NPP to keep their heads up, and know that since the party has held the Assin North constituency seat before, it will sooner rather than later capture the seat again.
“Yesterday, Tuesday, 27th June 2023, Ghana’s democratic credentials were strengthened even further, following the conduct of peaceful and credible elections in the Assin North by-election. I congratulate warmly the Chairperson and Members of the Electoral Commission, again, for a job well-done,” the President posted on his Facebook wall yesterday.
The President further commended the security services for maintaining law and order during the holding of the elections, while commending the media for also providing extensive coverage before, during and after the elections.
“I congratulate the National Democratic Congress on its victory yesterday. I urge members of my party, the New Patriotic Party, to keep their heads up, recognising that, in a democracy, there are winners and losers, and that we live to fight another day. We once held the Assin North seat, and I am confident that, sooner rather than later, Assin North will be blue again,” the President added.
Outcome of by-election
James Gyakye Quayson, the parliamentary candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), retained the Assin North seat for the NDC. He garnered 17,245 votes (57.56%) to beat his main rival, Charles Opoku, of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who won 12,630 (42.15%) of the total votes cast. The candidate of Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Bernice Enyonam Sefenu, secured 87 votes, representing 0.29% of the total cast.
The total valid votes cast were 29,962 and the total number of votes cast was 30,418. Rejected ballots were 456, and the turnout was 74.23%. The constituency has 40,978 registered voters.