Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, a hopeful for the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) National Chairman position, has accused Ghana's governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of using state institutions to intimidate opposition members. He warned that the NPP would resist any attempts to bully its members, emphasizing that the party would stand its ground and defend its members through lawful means. Agyarko made these comments while addressing delegates at Drobonso in the Sekyere Afram Plains Constituency.
Agyarko cited a recent confrontation between the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, as an example of the emerging pattern of intimidation against opposition members. The incident occurred on September 23, 2026, at the Accra High Court Complex, where the MP had appeared as counsel for detained nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti. EOCO officials attempted to take the MP to their office, but he declined, questioning their authority and requesting evidence of an invitation and an arrest warrant.
According to EOCO, the attempted arrest was connected to an ongoing investigation, and the MP had previously been invited twice in February 2026 to assist with the investigation but had failed to honour the invitations. The agency maintained that it was acting within its statutory mandate. Agyarko questioned whether such developments should be acceptable in Ghana, emphasizing that even a lawyer defending a client should not be intimidated.
Agyarko also recalled an incident involving Alhaji Bawa of Kumbu and his wife, who were brutally attacked and subsequently flown to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment. He invoked this incident to underscore his concerns about political violence and the need to protect party members against intimidation. The NPP chairman hopeful insisted that his party would not initiate confrontation but would not allow itself to be intimidated by any individual or institution.
The NPP National Chairman hopeful emphasized that his party would remain law-abiding while resisting any attempts to undermine its members. He warned that the NPP would not tolerate intimidation, adding that the party would stand its ground. Agyarko stated that the NPP had changed and would not be intimidated, assuring delegates that he would do his best to marshal forces to unite the NPP if elected.
Beyond his concerns about alleged intimidation, Agyarko appealed to delegates to support his bid for the national chairmanship, pledging to unite the party and strengthen its organisational structures ahead of the 2028 general election. He acknowledged that uniting the NPP would require sustained effort and mobilising the party's various factions towards a common objective.
Agyarko concluded by assuring delegates that he would work to ensure the NPP remains a strong and united force in Ghanaian politics. He emphasized that the party would not back down to intimidation and would continue to defend its members through lawful means. The NPP National Chairman hopeful's comments come amid growing concerns about political tension and intimidation in the country.
Key points
- NPP National Chairman hopeful Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko warns NDC against intimidating party members.
- Agyarko cites recent EOCO incident and past political violence as examples of intimidation.
- NPP will resist intimidation, remain law-abiding, and defend its members through lawful means.
