New Juaben South Member of Parliament, Michael Okyere Baafi, has apologised to Ghanaians after his controversial vow to resign if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lost the Akwatia by-election.
According to him, he admits that his remarks were “a step too far,” stressing that they were meant to energise his campaign team.
“I apologise to Ghanaians for that. Looking at the work we had done, there was no way we could have lost the election,” he said.
Baafi, however, insisted the ruling party’s defeat was largely due to widespread vote buying by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). He alleged that the NDC distributed cash, hair dryers, spraying machines, and other items to influence voters. According to him, some individuals were paid between ₵500 and ₵1,000 on polling day.
He warned that Ghana’s democracy faces serious danger if electoral contests continue to be dominated by money.
“If this is how our election is going to be, then I will not contest as MP in the next election,” Baafi cautioned.
The NDC has not yet responded to the allegations.
Background
The Akwatia parliamentary by-election delivered a major victory for the NDC after Bernard Bediako Baidoo won the seat with 18,199 votes. He defeated the NPP’s Kwame Asumadu, who secured 15,235 votes, while the Liberal Party of Ghana’s Owusu Patrick managed just 82 votes.
According to the Electoral Commission, a total of 34,122 ballots were cast, with 33,819 declared valid and 303 rejected. Voting took place at 119 polling stations under the supervision of party agents, security officers, and independent observers.
The win strengthens the NDC’s grip in one of Ghana’s most hotly contested constituencies.
