NPP Tensions Erupt as Agyapong and Abronye Clash During Bawumia’s Thank-You Tour

A public confrontation between former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe Abronye disrupted Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s national thank-you tour in the Bono Region on Monday.

The heated exchange, which unfolded in Berekum, exposed lingering divisions within the opposition party months after its flagbearer primaries.

The dispute erupted during Abronye’s welcome address, where he took indirect aim at certain party members, accusing them of undermining unity with public remarks that he claimed had weakened the NPP’s position in the 2024 elections. Citing findings from a post-election committee led by Prof. Mike Ocquaye, Abronye rejected calls for leniency toward suspended or former members, arguing that such moves would encourage indiscipline.

Agyapong, visibly angered, fired back with sharp criticism of Abronye’s leadership. He dismissed suggestions that outspoken members should be silenced and questioned the regional chairman’s contributions to the party. “Some people talk as if they own the party, but they don’t,” Agyapong said. “Even you poor people want to speak your mind—how much more rich men like us? Who born dog?” The remark drew mixed reactions from the crowd.

The former lawmaker also blamed Abronye for the NPP’s poor parliamentary performance in the Bono Region, where the party now holds only one seat. Abronye, however, countered that the decline stemmed from unmet development expectations, particularly in road infrastructure, despite the region’s strong support for the NPP in past elections.

The clash highlights persistent factional tensions within the NPP as it regroups following its electoral defeat. While Bawumia’s tour was meant to foster reconciliation, the public feud underscores the challenges the party faces in uniting its ranks ahead of future political contests. Without internal cohesion, analysts warn, the NPP may struggle to effectively challenge the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the coming years.