In a political climate already simmering with tension, a shocking accusation has emerged against New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful Ken Ohene Agyapong, alleging he made tribal comments urging Akans to reject minorities. But here's where it gets controversial: Agyapong's campaign team vehemently denies this, claiming the accusation is a deliberate distortion aimed at igniting ethnic divisions ahead of the party's primaries.
In a detailed statement signed by spokesperson Kwasi Kwarteng, Esq., the campaign dismissed the reports as “baseless, misleading, and entirely at odds with the truth.” They insist Agyapong never advocated for tribal voting. Instead, they argue, he was addressing what they describe as an alarming surge in tribal intimidation targeting his supporters in northern Ghana. According to the campaign, certain chiefs and influential figures in these regions are allegedly pressuring delegates to vote along ethnic lines, a practice they deem deeply unfair.
The statement goes further, accusing some Northern Members of Parliament of openly employing tribal rhetoric in their campaigns, creating an environment that threatens the integrity of the upcoming internal election. And this is the part most people miss: the campaign claims individuals who have spoken out against perceived electoral injustices in past primaries have faced threats of banishment and even physical harm. Supporters of Agyapong, they allege, have been ostracized from their own communities.
“In such a charged atmosphere, Hon. Ken Agyapong has a duty to speak out,” the statement emphasizes. “Calling attention to tribal intimidation affecting him and his supporters should not be misinterpreted as engaging in tribal politics.”
The campaign also raises a provocative point: they accuse certain political actors of exploiting tribal sentiments in the North while portraying themselves as victims in the South, highlighting what they see as a glaring double standard that demands confrontation.
To counter the divisive narrative, the campaign highlights Agyapong’s long-standing commitment to unity, pointing out that his businesses employ Ghanaians from diverse ethnic backgrounds. They portray him as a unifying figure, not a divisive one.
As the NPP presidential primary heats up, the campaign urges media outlets to resist sensationalism that could further polarize the situation, emphasizing the critical need for accurate and responsible reporting.
But here’s the question that lingers: In a political landscape where tribal loyalties often run deep, can accusations of intimidation and divisiveness ever be fully disentangled from the realities of campaigning? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments—do you see this as a legitimate defense or a strategic deflection? The debate is open.
