A-Plus: I won’t cook banku or wash clothes for votes — Development, not theatrics, is true measure of leadership

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Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A-Plus, has made a defiant declaration: he will not resort to populist gestures such as cooking banku or washing clothes simply to win political support, insisting that leadership should be judged by performance, integrity, and the ability to deliver results — not by symbolic acts designed to attract votes.

In an interview with 1957 News on Tuesday, July 1, 2026, the outspoken lawmaker dismissed what he described as unrealistic expectations from someconstituents, arguing that his responsibility is to create opportunities and champion developmen rather than perform household chores.

“Some expect us to go round the neighbourhood and help them cook banku. I’m a big man, so I don’t cook banku,” A-Plus said. He continued: “I look for jobs for the youth; I don’t do chores for people. I’m too nice for that. I have a washing machine in my house and you would expect me to wash your things because of votes.”

Solar over football: ‘I was chasing solar for my constituency’

The musician-turned-politician disclosed that during a recent trip to Canada, he skipped a Black Stars match because he was focused on securing solar projects for Gomoa Central, while others chose to attend the football game.

“When I went to Canada, there was a Black Stars football match, but I didn’t go and watch. I was chasing solar for my constituency, while your respected MP was watching football,” he said.

“Your MP respect himself, but I don’t,” he added, drawing a sharp contrast between his results-driven approach and what he sees as performative politics.

The comments come just days after A-Plus announced plans to develop what he describes as the biggest solar energy facility in Africa to support industrial growth in the country. He has been travelling across the world to engage investors interested in developing low-cost energy solutions for Ghana. The project is expected to reduce the cost of electricity and make Ghana more attractive to investors and manufacturers.

‘I don’t fear voters’ — MP cites clean record

A-Plus also stressed that he does not fear voters because he neither steals the Common Fund nor misuses government resources — unlike MPs he says are “scared of voters” because of corruption.

“I don’t spend or steal government money, so if someone does that, I will tell the person my mind and the truth,” he stated. The independent MP, who won the Gomoa Central seat in the 2024 general elections, has made it clear that he has no interest in government contracts or personal enrichment through public office.

He noted that access to the Common Fund has made his work easier, but emphasised that his sense of achievement is not driven by public praise or gratitude from constituents.

Authenticity over political theatre

According to A-Plus, some politicians project a certain image and even fake accents to appear respectable, but he has chosen to remain authentic.

“Some people think if you’re a politician, you have to keep composure and even fake an accent sometimes. I’m not like that,” he said. “By 2028, when we go back to account to the people, they will come to Gomoa and judge me based on what I have done.”

He argued that while some MPs may be perceived as respectful, the real measure of leadership should be the development they bring to their constituencies.

“I know they will say I don’t respect myself; then they will see what I’ve done in Gomoa and the MP that they think respects himself, they will see what he has also done,” he stated.

Mixed reactions

A-Plus’ remarks have generated mixed reactions, with some agreeing that governance should take precedence over political theatrics, while others argue that leaders should also remain accessible and willing to engage directly with ordinary citizens.

For A-Plus, however, the message is straightforward: he would rather be judged by his performance in office than by symbolic acts aimed at winning public approval.