A senior official from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected an apology issued by ruling party lawmaker Michael Okyere Baafi, following the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) unexpected defeat in the Akwatia by-election.
Rashid Tanko Computer, Deputy National Elections Director of the NDC, said that Mr. Baafi, the Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, must either step down—as he publicly pledged—or be compelled to deliver a formal apology on the floor of Parliament.
“We are not accepting his apology,” Tanko Computer said. “He must resign. If he doesn’t, Ghanaians will not take politicians seriously. We must be held to our word.”
Mr. Baafi reportedly made a statement ahead of the by-election suggesting he would resign if the NPP lost in Akwatia—a constituency previously regarded as a party stronghold. According to Tanko Computer, the MP was visibly confident at the electoral coalition center until the final results revealed an NDC victory.
“He came in beaming with smiles, telling me, ‘We are winning,’ until I showed him the actual results on my phone,” said Tanko Computer. “He started perspiring when he saw the numbers.”
Tanko Computer emphasized that public accountability is essential to rebuilding trust in Ghana’s political system. “The gentleman made a categorical statement: ‘I will resign.’ He must now be held to that,” he added.
If Baafi refuses to step down, Tanko Computer said he intends to petition the Speaker of Parliament to compel the MP to apologise formally during a parliamentary session. “The public needs to see who he really is,” he said. “People like him must allow for decency in our politics so Ghanaians can begin to respect public office again.”
