The Member of Parliament for the Akrofuom Constituency, Hon. Joseph Azumah, has laid bare the extraordinary sacrifice he made on his road to Parliament, disclosing that he sold his only house to finance his 2024 election campaign.
In what he described as a “gamble of a lifetime,” the MP revealed that the crushing weight of campaign expenses left him with no option but to part with his most valuable asset.
“I had to make a very tough choice. I sold my only house because I believed strongly in my vision for Akrofuom. It was a gamble. I risked everything just to contest, and it was not guaranteed that I would win,” he confessed.
For Hon. Azumah, politics was not just about ambition—it was a matter of personal sacrifice. Selling his only home forced his family into rented accommodation and placed them under immense uncertainty. “My family endured so much. We lived in a rented house, wondering what would happen if I lost. Many times, I questioned if I had done the right thing, but my people’s trust kept me going,” he said.
His story underscores the often-overlooked human cost of politics in Ghana, where campaign financing is largely left to candidates themselves. Without a structured state support system, aspirants are compelled to fund rallies, transportation, and community projects from their personal resources.
Azumah’s revelation has sparked renewed debate about whether Ghana’s politics has become a game only the wealthy can play. Analysts fear such sacrifices could compromise lawmakers’ independence once in office, as they may feel pressured to recoup their investments. One political commentator argued, “Hon. Azumah’s case is a clear example of why we need campaign finance reform. Nobody should have to sell their only home to serve their country.”
Despite the personal toll, the MP insists he stands by his decision. “I do not regret it. If I had to sacrifice again for my people, I would. But I hope the system changes so that future leaders don’t have to go through what I did,” he said.
For Hon. Joseph Azumah, winning his seat came at the price of losing his home. His testimony shines a harsh light on the sacrifices hidden behind political success and adds urgency to calls for reform in how elections are financed in Ghana.
From Opera News
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