In the heat of political contests, some politicians have made extreme statements, daring to prove their confidence or discredit their opponents.

Over the past five years, Ghana's political scene has witnessed a series of bold and sometimes reckless utterances, ranging from pledges of self-harm to promises of resignation.

Here are four notable examples:

Castrate me if the new register happens – Efo Worlanyo Tsekpo

In 2020, Efo Worlanyo Tsekpo, the Bono Regional Youth Organiser of the then opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), vowed to be castrated if the Electoral Commission succeeded in compiling a new biometric voters' register.

Speaking on Sunyani-based Dinpa FM, he declared, "If it does, have me on record, you should all look for me, catch me and castrate me."

At the time, the EC faced strong resistance from opposition parties, civil society groups and sections of the public.

Despite the backlash, the Commission went ahead with the exercise, which began on June 30, 2020, under C.I. 126.

Castrate me if EC is able to compile a new register - NDC Organiser

Burn me alive on live TV – Benjamin Gyewu-Appiah

Ahead of the December 2024 elections, NPP Communications Team member Benjamin Gyewu-Appiah shocked Ghanaians with a fiery pledge.

Appearing on Original TV on November 26, 2024, he said he would set himself ablaze if the then NDC candidate John Mahama were able to win the presidential polls.

"If John Mahama wins this election, pour kerosene on me and burn me alive on live TV so Ghanaians can watch."

His statement was widely condemned as reckless. Ironically, Mahama went on to win the 2024 elections, and he is currently the president of the nation.

NPP communicator who dared Ghanaians to burn him alive on TV if Mahama wins 2024 elections apologises

Cut off my head if we lose – Salam Mustapha

The National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Salam Mustapha, also raised eyebrows with his campaign rhetoric.

In the run-up to the 2024 elections, he declared in a viral video that he was so confident of victory that his head could be chopped off if the NPP lost.

However, after Mahama's victory, Mustapha later clarified on Asempa FM in January 2025 that his words were not literal but motivational political talk meant to energise party supporters.

"Do you honestly think that if the results had been close, we would have let it go like that? If the results were close, we would have won," he argued.

Election 2024: You can chop off my head if NPP loses to NDC – Salam Mustapha

I will resign if we lose Akwatia by-election – Michael Okyere Baafi

Unlike the threats of self-harm, the New Juaben South MP, Michael Okyere Baafi, chose his parliamentary seat as collateral in the just-ended Akwatia by-election.

Speaking in an interview on August 31, 2025, he vowed, "If NPP loses this Akwatia by-election, I will resign as MP, mark my words!"

The by-election, which ended on September 2, 2025, follows the passing of the late NPP MP, Ernest Kumi.

The contest was between NDC's Bernard Bediako and NPP's Solomon Kwame Asumadu.

However, despite his claim, the NPP candidate lost the election to Bernard Bediako.

'If NPP loses Akwatia by-election, I will resign as MP' – Michael Okyere Baafi vows

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