By King Amoah
The internal stability of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) appears to be hanging by a thread following reports of an attempt by the National Executives to dismiss former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyepong.
The move which has sparked outrage among his loyalists in the Ashanti region is being described as a calculated attempt to sow confusion and destabilize the party’s electoral prospects.
The Catalyst for Conflict:
The friction stems from Kennedy Agyepong’s recent public criticisms of the Akufo Addo administration most notably his vocal stance regarding the stalled Afari Military Hospital project in the Ashanti region.
While some party faithful argue that Mr. Agyepong should have utilized internal grievance mechanisms rather than airing party “dirty linen” in public, his supporters view his actions as necessary for a crusade to ensure transparency and accountability.
In response to these public outbursts, NPP National Executives reportedly convened a high level meeting at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on June 25, 2028.
The agenda, sources was to explore legal and constitutional pathways to remove Mr. Agyepong from the party under the belief that his departure would restore internal harmony.
However, the leadership remains cautious, reportedly seeking legal counsel to ensure that any move to sack the lawmaker would not lead to a costly wrongful dismissal lawsuit.
Don’t Repeat the Alan Kyerematen Mistake:
The atmosphere among the party’s grassroots is one of defiance.
Supporters of the former MP have warned the national leadership against repeating the political fallout that accompanied the exit of the former Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen.
Speaking on behalf of a pro Agyepong group in Kumasi, Mr. Solomon Abi Solo, a prominent supporter of Kennedy issued a stern warning to the party hierarchy.
The national executives must understand that Kennedy Agyepong’s criticisms are not intended to offend, but to ensure the truth and transparency required to win the next general elections, Mr. Abi Solo stated.
If they choose to force him out the same way they provoked Alan Kyerematen, the decline of this party will be imminent.
A Call for Internal Redress:
Abi Solo emphasized that while the MP might have bypassed formal party grievance structures, such an oversight does not warrant his expulsion.
He argued that the party should prioritize internal reconciliation over punitive measures.
Kennedy Agyepong is not just a contender; he is a crowd puller whose contributions to this party are immeasurable.
He has supported the party’s organizational structures for years, he added. If there is a disagreement the peace pipe must be the alternative.
Sacking him would be a strategic blunder that would lead his massive support base to work against the party effectively to guaranteeing our defeat in the upcoming elections.
The Road Ahead:
As the public awaits an official statement from the Alisa Hotel meeting, the NPP finds itself at a crossroads.
The divide highlights a deeper struggle between the party’s desire for internal discipline and the reality of managing vocal, high profile figures with significant grassroots influence.
For now, the message from the Ashanti region is clear: the NPP’s path to electoral success lies in unity and dialogue and not in the purging of its most popular, albeit controversial, voices.
