What was meant to be a moment of party unity and gratitude turned tense in Berekum on Monday, as Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s national thank-you tour was briefly overshadowed by sharp disagreements between senior members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, and Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe (commonly known as Abronye), clashed publicly over how the party should move forward following its performance in the 2024 general elections.
The confrontation revealed not only differences in leadership style and priorities but also deeper concerns about the state of party discipline and regional neglect.
In his welcome remarks, Abronye took a hardline stance on party loyalty and discipline, subtly criticising members he accused of contributing to the NPP’s electoral struggles through divisive public commentary.
Citing a post-election report led by former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye, he argued that internal criticism during the campaign season had given the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) political leverage.
Abronye also rejected a proposal by Agyapong to reintegrate suspended or estranged party members as part of a broader reconciliation effort. He warned that granting amnesty could erode party structures and encourage indiscipline.
Kennedy Agyapong, in response, strongly defended his position on reconciliation, insisting that inclusiveness—not exclusion—would strengthen the party ahead of future elections.
He pushed back against what he described as attempts to intimidate or silence party financiers and long-time contributors.
“Even poor people want to speak their mind—how much more those of us who have sacrificed for this party?” he asked pointedly, drawing mixed reactions from the crowd.
Beyond the personal exchanges, Agyapong criticized the Bono Region’s leadership for what he called a decline in the party’s grassroots support.
