Afriye demands urgent apology from Ken Agyapong over 'false and reckless' attack on Bawumia

Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore and Ashanti Regional Anchor for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's campaign, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has called on Kennedy Agyapong to immediately apologise to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates, and the Ghanaian public for what he describes as unfounded, reckless, and misleading attacks against the former vice president.

According to Dr Ayew Afriye, the apology has become necessary following clear evidence that the statement Kennedy Agyapong viciously attacked Dr Bawumia over was never made by him.

Speaking on the matter, Dr Ayew Afriye said the failure to correct the falsehood has the potential to unnecessarily heighten tensions within the party, especially at a critical moment in the NPP’s internal democratic process.

“An apology will help calm nerves among delegates and Ghanaians, particularly now that it has emerged that the so-called historical distortion was not made by Dr Bawumia,” he stressed.

Kennedy Agyapong, in a viral video, launched a scathing attack on Dr Bawumia, accusing him of distorting history by allegedly claiming that former NPP presidential candidate and statesman, Professor Albert Adu Boahen, failed to contest for a second term due to ill health.

Kennedy Agyapong vehemently rejected the claim, insisting Prof Adu Boahen was never ill and had rather contested against former President John Agyekum Kufuor but lost heavily.

He went further to brand Dr Bawumia a “serial liar” and urged NPP delegates not to vote for him.

In the same video, Kennedy Agyapong accused Dr Bawumia of deceiving the party with claims that he could galvanise massive support from the Northern Regions, arguing that the NPP performed worse there under his watch compared to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He concluded by asserting that he is more popular than Dr. Bawumia and therefore the better choice for the party.

However, shortly after the video gained traction, another video surfaced clearly showing that the statement in question was actually made by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi—not Dr Bawumia.

This revelation, Dr Ayew Afriye noted, completely undermines the basis of Kennedy Agyapong’s attack.

Reacting to the development, Dr Ayew Afriye said Kennedy Agyapong’s conduct exposes serious leadership deficiencies, particularly a lack of due diligence.

Dr Ayew stated that the Dr Bawumia is human and can err but has no idea on this subject.

More worrisome is the fact that Ken made mention about 10 times in one video that Dr Bawumia was a liar. Dr Ayew added, the Bawumia I know is very descent and highly meticulous and credible. He wont speak on a matter without fact checking it.

“This episode demonstrating a failure to verify facts before going public is worrisome for anyone aspiring to lead this country," Dr. Ayew emphasised.

He reiterated his call on Kennedy Agyapong to publicly retract his statements and issue an unqualified apology, warning that failure to do so could further damage party unity ahead of the crucial primaries.