Bernard Baidoo emerged victorious in the tense Akwatia by-election, but for him, Tuesday’s outcome was far more than just a political triumph.
He described it as the rebirth of a town long defined by mining and the hardships of its people.
“The people listened to our message, and we could see they truly embraced it. They gave us hope, hope that has manifested in what we see today,” he said.
Mr. Baidoo maintained that the victory came as no surprise to him or his team.
“We’ve always been confident. We’ve been in this game for a while. If you are losing, you’ll know unless, of course, you choose not to be honest with yourself.”
The lawyer-turned-politician brushed aside the controversies surrounding his candidacy.
“In any contest, you’ll hear many things. But I don’t dwell on distractions. My focus is on the real goal: delivering our message, ensuring the people accept it, and working hard to achieve victory.”
Looking ahead, the MP elect shifted attention to Akwatia’s future.
“Akwatia’s identity has always been tied to mining you can’t take that away. What matters is doing it lawfully, and that’s exactly what we intend to pursue,” he said.
He recalled the difficult years before 2024, when even the Ghana Consolidated Diamonds (GCD) property was left in darkness.
“This very place, the GCD property, was without electricity before John Mahama came to power. During the 2024 collation, we had to rely on solar panels and lamps. Today, we have power here not because of the by election, but because the work had already begun.”
Calling the development a starting point, he said it signals what Akwatia can achieve.
“This is the first step toward reviving GCD, which has the potential to employ thousands of people. And there is more we are looking forward to.”
For Bernard Baidoo, the win represents more than a seat in Parliament, it is a step toward restoring the hope of an entire community.
