A leading member of the Movement for Change, Solomon Owusu has weighed in on the fallout from the Akwatia by-election, stating that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) “needed the seat badly to rejuvenate the party.” Speaking on TV3’s New Day morning show on September 3, 2025, monitored by Voice of Buluk, Owusu emphasized that the loss was more than just a numerical setback, but it was a blow to the party’s credibility and momentum.
“The position that he holds comes from credibility and integrity. It’s not everything that you talk with it,” Owusu said, referring to the responsibilities of elected officials. “You must represent your constituency and represent the world.”
His comments come in the wake of the NPP’s defeat in Akwatia, where Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) won with 18,199 votes, beating NPP’s Solomon Kwame Asumadu, who polled 15,235 votes.
Owusu’s remarks also touched on the controversy surrounding Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi, MP for New Juaben South, who had boldly declared during the campaign:
“If NPP loses this Akwatia by-election, I will resign as MP, mark my words!”
However, as results showed the NPP trailing, Hon. Baafi retracted his statement, saying:
“Maybe in hindsight, I went too far. I apologise to Ghana.”
This reversal has sparked public backlash, with many calling on Baafi to honor his promise and resign.
Solomon Owusu’s commentary went beyond the by-election, touching on the broader expectations of political leadership in Ghana. He noted that in Africa, major development goals, often set by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) are frequently used in campaign narratives, raising concerns about the politicization of development.
“In Ghana’s politics, constituencies like Akwatia are very strong. You must represent them with honor and global relevance,” Owusu added
