A recent exchange among prominent New Patriotic Party (NPP) members has sparked a lively debate about the role of wealth in political leadership and party contributions.
Samuel Atta Akyea, a leading figure in the NPP, recently voiced strong opinions about the constant emphasis on wealth by some party members, notably Kennedy Agyapong and Dr. Bryan Acheampong. Speaking to Asaase Radio, Atta Akyea challenged the notion that financial contributions alone qualify one for leadership.
“Do you know the number of people who have contributed significantly to the party but have always remained silent? Do you know the number of people the party resourced to become successful and later came back to support the party without making noise?” Atta Akyea questioned.
He added, “Must your wealth give you automatic qualification as a leader? If you have money but you cannot think properly, how can you lead? So richness is not the sole factor and variable for leadership, and people must understand this.”
Atta Akyea emphasized that leadership demands more than just financial power, pointing out the importance of patience and calmness in governance. He appealed to his colleagues, saying, “The moment you talk about money and power, you’re not competent to lead because money is not all that you need to lead.”
On the other side, Kennedy Agyapong and Dr. Bryan Acheampong have publicly highlighted their financial support for the NPP, asserting that their contributions have been crucial to the party’s success. Kennedy Agyapong has frequently mentioned his financial involvement with the party since as far back as 1992.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong has also taken a prominent stance, revealing that he personally funded the 2024 NPP presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, more extensively than former President Akufo-Addo. Acheampong claimed that during the 2023 presidential primaries in the Eastern Region, Dr. Bawumia did not contribute financially, and he covered all related expenses.
“I paid every single penny for him to become the flagbearer of this party. He didn’t pay a penny, and it is a fact,” Acheampong declared. He further stated that in the 2024 elections, his financial support for Dr. Bawumia surpassed that given to Akufo-Addo.
Additionally, Dr. Bryan Acheampong disclosed that he financed the NPP’s campaign activities in the Eastern Region, providing substantial funds to polling station executives and parliamentary candidates. He reportedly gave each of the 26,000 polling station executives GHS 2 million each in November and supported 33 parliamentary candidates with GH¢100,000 monthly from May to October.
“In 2020, we were in government, so nobody needed my money. But in 2024, the regional chairman and the regional secretary are here, in the Eastern Region, except for about six MPs who were financially independent. I gave each of the remaining parliamentary candidates GH¢100,000,” Acheampong explained.
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