"We are not accepting Michael Baafi’s apologies; he must resign" was the uncompromising message from Rashid Tanko Computer, Deputy National Elections Director of the NDC, after the Akwatia by-election.

He reminded Ghanaians of the statement by Michael Okyere Baafi, the MP for New Juaben South, who declared before the vote that if the NPP lost the seat, he would step down from parliament.

“We are going to Michael Okyere Baafi’s constituency [New Juaben South]. He has apologised, but we are not accepting his apology. He must resign. If he doesn’t resign, Ghanaians will not take politicians seriously.”

For Tanko-Computer, the issue is about accountability and trust in public life.

“We might be serious. They must hold us to our words. Whatever comes out of my mouth, they must take it seriously. I can’t just stand here and make allegations, say certain things, and then within 24 hours [apologise].”

He recounted the dramatic scenes on election night when Mr Baafi himself appeared confident of victory.

“Do you know that he came in here when we were about to start the coalition, beaming with smiles, telling me that ‘we are winning’, until I showed him the results on my phone that ‘my friend, you have lost the election and I’m coming to your constituency for a by-election, then he started perspiring.

"That’s the time he got to know that things had changed.”

For the NDC elections chief, an apology cannot wipe away a broken promise. The party is determined to hold Baafi to his own words. To them, resignation is the only option.