Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant and political activist, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, has criticised the party’s decision to refer former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, to its National Disciplinary Committee, describing the petitions against him as unnecessary and unjustified.
According to Dr. Kennedy, the comments made by Mr. Agyapong regarding the stalled Afari Military Hospital project and alleged corruption within the NPP do not constitute a violation of the party’s constitution. He argued that after listening to the former lawmaker’s remarks and subsequent clarifications, he found no basis for disciplinary action.
Dr. Kennedy maintained that Mr. Agyapong merely echoed concerns already shared by many Ghanaians and party supporters over the Akufo-Addo administration’s failure to complete and operationalise the Afari Military Hospital after eight years in office. He noted that findings by the NPP’s post-election review committees, including the Michael Oquaye Committee and the Oti Boateng Committee in the Ashanti Region, reflected similar concerns about the party’s performance.
He also defended Mr. Agyapong’s criticism of the party’s position on access to the hospital, arguing that it was a legitimate observation. Dr. Kennedy said that if the former MP’s claims that Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee was prevented from inspecting the facility while the NPP was in government are factual, then they should not be treated as misconduct but rather examined on their merits.
The former presidential aspirant further called on the party to investigate allegations of corruption surrounding the implementation of the Agenda 111 health infrastructure programme instead of focusing on disciplinary action against those raising the concerns. He argued that allegations that contracts were sold under the programme deserve thorough investigation and accountability.
Dr. Kennedy stressed that addressing such allegations transparently would strengthen the NPP’s credibility and demonstrate its commitment to accountability. He warned that attempting to silence internal criticism could undermine public confidence in the party at a time when it is seeking to rebuild following its defeat in the 2024 general election.
His comments come after the NPP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council referred Kennedy Agyapong to the National Disciplinary Committee over recent public remarks deemed detrimental to party unity and cohesion. The committee has been given two weeks to investigate the petitions and submit its recommendations.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe