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NPP Peace Pact Controversy: Opare Ansah Demands Accountability from Kennedy Agyapong

Published: January 20, 2026 | Category: Ghana Politics, NPP News

Introduction

The internal dynamics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer race have taken a dramatic turn following warnings from the campaign team of former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Frederick Opare Ansah, the Campaign Manager, has issued a stern ultimatum to the NPP Election Committee regarding the proposed peace pact. He asserts that without prior accountability for what he terms “reckless and unfair attacks” by MP Kennedy Agyapong, the peace agreement is futile. This article provides a detailed analysis of the dispute, the context of the alleged misinformation, and the implications for the party’s internal democracy.

Key Points

Background

The tension within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) escalated during a campaign tour in the Ashanti Region, a critical stronghold for the party. The controversy began when Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, made a historical observation regarding the party’s retention of first-time presidential candidates.

The Chairman Wontumi Statement

Chairman Wontumi noted that historically, the NPP has retained candidates who contested for the first time, with the singular exception of Professor Albert Adu Boahen. He explained that Prof. Adu Boahen was not retained for the 1996 election due to health challenges, a fact documented in a book by Apenten Appiah-Menka, a close associate of the late professor. This was presented as a historical fact to encourage current aspirants.

The Political Fallout

Despite the clear context and the specific mention of health reasons, Kennedy Agyapong, another flagbearer hopeful, publicly seized on the statement. He attributed the sentiment to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, characterizing it as an attack on Professor Adu Boahen’s legacy. Consequently, Mr. Agyapong launched a verbal assault on Dr. Bawumia, labeling him a “liar.” This misattribution formed the basis of the current dispute.

Analysis

The instruction by Frederick Opare Ansah to “call Kennedy Agyapong to order or fail to remember the peace pact” highlights a deeper issue within the NPP’s internal democratic processes: the gap between performative unity and substantive fair play.

The Credibility of the Peace Pact

A peace pact in politics is designed to de-escalate tensions and ensure a violence-free campaign. However, Opare Ansah argues that such a pact lacks credibility if it is not accompanied by an enforcement mechanism. By asking the Election Committee to “fail to remember” the pact, he is challenging the legitimacy of a ceremony that ignores ongoing character assassination. The campaign manager posits that signing a document while allowing “unfair attacks” to proceed unchecked renders the exercise hypocritical.

Facts vs. Rhetoric

The core of the Bawumia campaign’s defense is the preservation of truth. Opare Ansah emphasized that Dr. Bawumia never made the statements attributed to him. This incident serves as a case study in the spread of political misinformation, where a third-party comment (Chairman Wontumi) is weaponized against a rival. The analysis suggests that for the NPP to maintain integrity, it must distinguish between robust political debate and the willful distortion of facts.

Unequal Treatment?

Opare Ansah questioned the disparity in how the party treats its aspirants. He noted that while Dr. Bawumia has maintained a respectful campaign, avoiding personal attacks on opponents, he remains a target. The rhetorical question, “What has Bawumia done to him?” underscores the campaign’s stance that the attacks are rooted in “hatred for nothing” rather than policy differences.

Practical Advice

For political observers and party delegates trying to navigate this situation, here are key takeaways regarding internal party discipline and campaign management:

1. Verification Before Reaction

As emphasized by Opare Ansah, senior party figures have a responsibility to verify information before reacting. In the digital age, where misinformation travels fast, the “pause and verify” method is essential to prevent unnecessary internal conflicts.

2. The Role of Party Standards

Parties have codes of conduct. If a peace pact is being drafted, it should ideally reference these existing standards. Delegates should review the party’s constitution to understand what constitutes “unbecoming behavior” and hold all aspirants to that standard equally.

3. Substance Over Ceremony

Voters and party members are advised to look beyond ceremonial peace signings. True unity is demonstrated through policy debates and the avoidance of character assassination. A candidate’s willingness to correct mistakes (like attributing a quote correctly) is a measure of their integrity.

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Conclusion

The standoff between the Bawumia campaign and the NPP Election Committee underscores the fragility of unity during intense political contests. Frederick Opare Ansah’s demand for accountability serves as a reminder that peace pacts are not merely ceremonial events but require a foundation of truth and discipline. As the party moves toward its internal elections, the ability to resolve this dispute—and hold all aspirants to a single standard of conduct—will be crucial in determining the NPP’s cohesion and eventual success in the general election.