Frederick Opare Ansah, Campaign Manager for former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has warned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Election Committee to shelve plans for a peace pact if it cannot discipline flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong over what he describes as reckless and unfair attacks on Dr. Bawumia.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Opare Ansah said the idea of signing a peace pact on Thursday makes little sense if party leaders allow personal attacks to go unchecked.
“I have been listening keenly and I heard they are going to sign a peace pact on Thursday. I will go there. If they cannot call Kennedy Agyapong to order, they should forget about a peace pact,” he stated.
He stressed that Dr. Bawumia should not be dragged into an exercise that lacks credibility and enforcement.
“I will tell my candidate Dr. Bawumia not to go. You stood up and insulted someone. This cannot be called misrepresentation of fact because Bawumia never said any of the things he attributed to him,” he added.
Mr. Opare Ansah was reacting to recent attacks by Mr. Agyapong, who called Dr. Bawumia a liar over comments that were actually made by Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Speaking to party delegates in the Ashanti Region, Chairman Wontumi said the NPP has generally retained its first-time presidential candidates, with the exception of Professor Albert Adu Boahen. He explained that Prof. Adu Boahen was not retained for the 1996 election after contesting in 1992 due to health challenges, a position documented in a book by Apenten Appiah-Menka, a close associate of the late professor.
Despite this clarification, Kennedy Agyapong publicly attributed the statement to Dr. Bawumia and criticised him sharply.
However, the former Suhum MP maintained that senior party figures must verify claims before acting on them.
“As elders, we must cross-check everything we are told or hear. I will talk to my candidate to focus on his campaign,” he noted.
He also questioned how the party intends to enforce the peace pact if aspirants continue to disregard party values.
“How will the party enforce the peace pact? We should read the standards of the party and see if this conduct is not unbecoming of a member,” he added.
Mr. Opare Ansah argued that Dr. Bawumia has maintained a respectful campaign and has not attacked any of his competitors.
Source: adomonline.com
“What has Bawumia done to him? It is hatred for nothing. Have you heard Bawumia say anything against any aspirant in this manner?” he asked.
He concluded that unity cannot be achieved through ceremonies alone but must be backed by discipline, fairness, and accountability within the party’s flagbearer race.
