'Unwarranted' - Dr Arthur Kennedy reacts to petitions against Ken Agyapong

Political activist, physician, and former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant, Dr Arthur Kennedy, has described the petitions filed against former Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong as "unwarranted," arguing that the comments which triggered the disciplinary process do not violate the party's constitution.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, June 27, 2026, Dr Kennedy said he could not understand why Agyapong had been referred to the NPP's National Disciplinary Committee over his recent remarks on the stalled Afari Military Hospital project and allegations of corruption within the party.

"These petitions and the resulting processes that Honourable Kennedy Agyapong is about to be subjected to are unwarranted. Listening to Kennedy Agyapong's initial comments about the Afari Hospital, and even his subsequent explanations after receiving criticism, I am at a loss to see how those statements amount to infringements of the party's constitution," he said.

Dr Kennedy argued that Agyapong merely expressed concerns that many Ghanaians and NPP members have already raised regarding the Akufo-Addo administration's inability to complete and operationalise the Afari Military Hospital during its eight years in office.

He noted that several post-election review committees established by the NPP following its defeat in the 2024 general election, including the Michael Oquaye Committee and the Oti Boateng Committee in the Ashanti Region, had reached conclusions similar to those raised by Agyapong.

According to him, Agyapong's assertion that the NPP's current criticism of restrictions on access to the Afari Military Hospital appeared hypocritical was a legitimate political observation.

"The NPP inherited a partially completed Afari Hospital and had eight years to complete it. It is not as if healthcare was not a priority. The government launched Agenda 111 because it recognised the need to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. Therefore, for such an important project in a region that is critical to the party, not to be completed after eight years was a failure," he argued.

Dr Kennedy also referred to Agyapong's claim that, while serving as Chairman of Parliament's Defence and Interior Committee, attempts to inspect the facility were allegedly blocked by the then NPP administration, similar to concerns now being raised against the current NDC government.

"If what Kennedy Agyapong is saying is factual, then truth itself becomes a defence. It is difficult to see how stating facts can become an offence," he said.

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The former presidential aspirant further expressed concern about what he described as the party leadership's approach to internal criticism.

"Our politics has changed, but, respectfully, those running the party seem unwilling to acknowledge that reality," he stated.

Dr Kennedy maintained that Agyapong commands considerable support within both the NPP and the wider Ghanaian public, adding that his allegations of corruption surrounding the implementation of Agenda 111 should be investigated rather than dismissed.

"He has alleged that Agenda 111 was undermined by corruption and that contracts were sold. If such allegations are being made, the people who should be answering questions are those who may have been involved in those activities," he said.

He argued that pursuing accountability would strengthen the party rather than weaken it.

"One would think that such accountability would put the party in a stronger position. It would show that the NPP is more interested in confronting wrongdoing than silencing people who are speaking uncomfortable truths," he added.

Dr Kennedy's comments come after the NPP's National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council referred Agyapong to the party's National Disciplinary Committee following petitions alleging that his recent public comments were detrimental to party unity and cohesion.

The petitions stem from Agyapong's criticism of the NPP's handling of the Afari Military Hospital project and his warning that he could "spill the beans" on alleged wrongdoing within the party if attempts were made to silence him.

The National Disciplinary Committee has been given two weeks to investigate the petitions and submit its recommendations to the party's leadership.