Alleged sponsored smear campaign targeting Bawumia exposed

With less than two weeks to the New Patriotic Party’s January 31 presidential primary, intelligence emerging from within political circles suggests a coordinated attempt to undermine the process by discrediting former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, widely regarded as the frontrunner in the race.

According to a source familiar with the developments, the plot involves elements linked to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) working in alleged collaboration with operatives associated with the Kennedy Agyapong campaign.

The strategy, the source says, is two-pronged: first, to smear Dr Bawumia’s image ahead of the vote; and second, to disrupt the election and collation process on voting day.

Coordinated Smear Campaign

The source alleges that a sustained smear campaign is being rolled out through pro-NDC media platforms and online commentators, aimed at weakening Dr Bawumia’s standing among NPP delegates.

Central to the effort, according to the source, is the use of AI-generated content, including manipulated images, videos, and audio, designed to falsely portray Dr Bawumia as politically alien to the NPP and closely aligned with the NDC.

The campaign is also expected to aggressively assign blame to Dr Bawumia for Ghana’s recent economic challenges, despite the collective nature of governance under the Akufo-Addo administration.

Other alleged narratives include attempts to mischaracterise his religious identity and tolerance, framing his engagement with Christian communities as evidence of “instability”.

The source further claims that the smear drive will be amplified by select pro-government media and digital influencers, while simultaneously promoting Kennedy Agyapong as a preferred alternative.

As an early sign of this emerging alliance, Kevin Taylor, a known NDC sympathiser and critic of the NPP, recently live-streamed a Kennedy Agyapong campaign activity on his Loud Silence Media platform.

AI-Generated 'Documentary'

As part of the alleged operation, an AI-generated documentary has reportedly been produced by individuals connected to the Kennedy Agyapong campaign.

The documentary, the source claims, seeks to reinforce smear narratives through fabricated visuals and audio, and concludes with a direct pitch for Kennedy Agyapong as the candidate of choice for delegates.

Alleged Plans to Disrupt Voting

Beyond reputational attacks, the source warns of a more troubling phase of the plan, disruption of the January 31 election itself.

According to the allegations, groups of hired “macho men” are being recruited to cause disturbances at selected polling and collation centres, particularly in Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, and North East regions.

Some of these individuals are reportedly expected to pose as state security personnel to undermine the credibility of the sorting and counting process.

NPP Leadership Reacts

Senior officials of the NPP have declined to comment publicly on the allegations.

However, a member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed awareness of the reports, describing them as “disturbing”.

The NEC member disclosed that an emergency meeting is expected this week, during which security concerns surrounding the primaries will be a key agenda item.

As the party prepares to elect its 2028 flagbearer, pressure is mounting on NPP leadership and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, credible, and manipulation-free process.

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