Owura-Kwaku Sarkodieh Launches Mayoral Bid With a Vision for a “New Deal” in Worcester

By Hank Stolz

Photo- Radio Worcester

WORCESTER, MA– The Talk of the Commonwealth this week is Worcester’s mayoral race, where a new face has stepped forward: Owura-Kwaku Sarkodieh. The longtime Worcester resident and small business owner has announced his candidacy for both mayor and city councilor at large, bringing what he calls a “new deal” for the city.

“I think Worcester deserves something better,” Sarkodieh said in an interview. “We’ve had the same faces, the same old ideas, the same old strategies. Something must change — power must change hands.”

A resident of downtown Worcester, Sarkodieh describes himself as a “people person” who listens closely to the concerns of residents. “So many hardworking Worcester residents are feeling left behind, be it the high cost of rents and housing or small businesses struggling to stay open,” he said. “I want to offer that missing link — to listen to them.”

From Ghana to Worcester: A Local Story

Sarkodieh was born in Ghana and moved to the United States after graduating high school. “I was born in Ghana but I was made in the USA,” he said. “My family roots in Worcester date back to 1973, when my uncle came here and was able to bring my parents. And here we are.”

He earned both his bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration and a master’s degree in criminal justice from UMass Lowell, later graduating from the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover. Sarkodieh has worked for UMass for a decade and currently serves at the Worcester Recovery Center. He is also a homeowner, realtor, and small business owner, operating a notary service in the city.

“I’ve been a Worcester native and a homeowner since 2000,” he said. “I’ve been around the block.”

A Family Man and Advocate for Education Reform

Sarkodieh and his wife, Charity, have been married for 18 years and are raising five children—four sons and one daughter—in Worcester’s public schools.

“I used to be a substitute teacher in the Worcester public schools,” he said. “I traveled to about ten schools and what I saw was something that also drove me to run for mayor. Some classrooms combine fourth, fifth, and sixth grades because there are no teachers. I’m not happy with that.”

He wants to see higher pay for teachers and more parental involvement in education. “For most of our kids, they trust their teachers more than their parents because they see them five to seven hours a day,” he said. “I want stronger families and to make sure parents are involved in the overall education of our kids.”

Housing, Affordability, and Homelessness

As a realtor, Sarkodieh sees firsthand the city’s housing challenges. “Rents are high because it’s a demand and supply issue,” he explained. “We could expand affordable housing initiatives. When we expand the real estate market, prices will tend to come down.”

He proposes turning abandoned properties into affordable units, expanding first-time homebuyer incentives, and providing tax breaks to seniors who have lived in their homes for decades. “If you’ve maintained your family home for 25 or 30 years, you’ve paid your dues,” he said.

On homelessness, Sarkodieh argues for a humane and practical approach. “We’re one noose away from being homeless,” he said. “It could be medical bills, job loss, or mental health. We need to demystify homelessness — it’s not about being lazy. Everyone deserves the dignity of having a roof over their head.”

He also envisions opening community support hubs across Worcester’s Seven Hills, where people in need can find help close to home. “I want to be the mayor who can go down and talk to them under the bridge,” he said. “When people see the mayor talking to them like that, they’ll feel inspired to come forward.”

A Plan for Small Business Growth

As a small business owner himself, Sarkodieh wants Worcester to be a city where “small businesses thrive and not just survive.” He laid out a five-point plan to support local entrepreneurs:

1. Access to Capital: Partnering with local banks and credit unions to expand microloan and grant programs, especially for minority- and women-owned businesses.

2. Reducing Red Tape: Streamlining licensing and permitting to make it easier to start and expand businesses.

3. Fair Commercial Rents: Encouraging landlords to support local businesses with fair leases and incentives.

4. Buy Local Worcester: Launching a “Spend Worcester” campaign to keep dollars circulating in the community.

5. Neighborhood Business Hubs: Investing in commercial corridors outside of downtown to reduce congestion and spread opportunity.

“I want to bring City Hall down to the local people — the people who work every day,” he said.

Sarkodieh is also critical of current downtown congestion, particularly around Kelley Square. “I thought Polar Park could have been on Mill Street,” he said. “Spread the traffic, don’t congest it, because congestion is driving people away.”

An Immigrant’s Perspective

Sarkodieh believes his background as a Ghanaian-American gives him a unique understanding of Worcester’s growing diversity. “When I came here, the Ghanaian population wasn’t that many, but now we’re almost 40 or 45,000,” he said. “About 50% of my supporters never voted in local elections before. They feel their voices aren’t being heard.”

He often takes his children to Ghana to show them another perspective. “It helps them understand that the world doesn’t revolve only around the United States,” he said. “Seeing both worlds helps you make smarter decisions.”

A Call for Support

Sarkodieh’s campaign invites volunteers and donors through his website, OwuraSarkodieh.com.

“You can have the best message, but with limited funds it becomes difficult,” he said. “This is not about me. It’s about Worcester having a voice at the table.”

Voters will find Owura-Kwaku Sarkodieh listed as number one on the mayoral ballot and number ten for city council at large.