Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, a lecturer at the University of Ghana Political Science department, has demanded the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
According to Dr. Zaato, politicians must uphold their words to maintain the respect of Ghanaians, emphasising the importance of dignity in public office.
Dr. Zaato’s comments come amid calls for the resignation of New Juaben South MP, Michael Okyere Baafi, who had vowed to relinquish his parliamentary seat if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lost the Akwatia by-election.
Speaking on TV3’s BigIssue segment on the NewDay show Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Dr. Zaato urged Okyere Baafi to honour his promise and resign, while calling on the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to step down from his ministerial position.
Dr. Zaato pointed out that Ablakwa had previously pledged that if any member of a future NDC administration used a private jet for foreign travel or sought medical treatment abroad, he would step down from his position.
He urged those calling for Okyere Baafi’s resignation to also demand Ablakwa’s resignation, given that the issues Ablakwa vowed to act on have been breached within just eight months in office.
“There is a Member of Parliament who says that if NPP lose this election, he is going to resign and today people are calling on him, ‘Mr. MP, Michael Baafi, why don’t you resign?’ He should resign. I also call on him to resign,” he stated.
He continued that: “But so too should Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Why is the same people who are calling for [Okyere Baafi to resign] also not calling Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa to resign?
“Sometimes we see this hypocrisy on steroids in our body politic. When it is time for us to call for accountability we don’t do it. Then we choose when and how we call for accountability. So I’m saying today, Hon. Baafi, resign. In the same way let’s also hold Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa accountable. He too should resign,” he called.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi, issued a strong ultimatum ahead of the Akwatia by-election that he will resign from Parliament should the NPP fail to reclaim the seat.
Speaking to GHOne TV during the one-week observance of the late Akwatia MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi, Mr Baafi accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of failing to deliver on its 2024 campaign promises.
“If the NPP loses this Akwatia by-election, I will resign as MP. Mark my words!” he stated confidently.
However, he has refused to honour his words, calling on Ghanaians to forgive him for going too far.
