The recent Akwatia by-election has ignited a wave of public scrutiny and demands for political accountability in Ghana. Hon.Michael Okyere Baafi, Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, made headlines after boldly declaring to the media:
“If NPP loses this Akwatia by-election, I will resign as MP, mark my words!”
However, as the vote count revealed a decisive victory for the National Democratic Congress (NDC)—with Bernard Baidoo securing 18,199 votes to the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s 15,235—Baafi quickly walked back his statement.
“Maybe in hindsight, I went too far. I apologise to Ghana,” he said later that evening.
This reversal has sparked widespread backlash, with political analysts and civil society figures, including Dr. Ishmael Norman, urging Hon.Baafi to honor his promise and step down.
Speaking on TV3’s New Day, monitored by voice of Buluk, A Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Jebuntie Zaato added a new layer to the debate, calling for equal scrutiny of Hon.Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu. Dr. Zaato argued that if Hon.Baafi is being pressured to resign for his public commitment, then Ablakwa should face similar consequences.
Hon.Ablakwa had previously vowed to resign if an NDC-led government engaged in the use of luxury private jets—a practice he had strongly criticized. Yet recent reports suggest that Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang traveled on a chartered Vistajet for a medical mission, prompting critics to demand Ablakwa’s resignation for consistency.
This unfolding controversy underscores a broader issue in Ghanaian politics, the need for credibility, consistency, and ethical leadership. When elected officials make public declarations, especially those tied to integrity and accountability, the electorate expects them to follow through.The calls for both Baafi and Ablakwa to resign reflect a growing demand among Ghanaians for leaders who stand by their words and uphold the values of transparency and trust.
