Former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has announced his withdrawal from the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) ongoing nationwide “Thank You Tour,” citing serious security threats to his supporters.
The decision comes in the wake of a disturbing incident in Kumasi that left a student and known supporter of Agyapong hospitalised with stab wounds.
The incident occurred during a rally-style event held at the Pentecost Church in Bantama, Kumasi—part of the NPP’s post-primary campaign activities aimed at promoting party unity and thanking supporters following the conclusion of the party’s internal presidential primaries.
According to reports from Agyapong’s communications team, the victim—a student from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a member of Unity Hall’s popular Jama group—had been hired to perform at the event to energise the crowd.
Unity Hall, often referred to as “Conti,” is known for its vibrant, drum-led singing groups that lend excitement and energy to political and social events across the region.
Trouble began when a wealthy associate of Kennedy Agyapong, who had attended the Bantama event, gifted a sum of money to the Jama group in appreciation for their spirited performance.
However, shortly after the donation, a group of armed men—described by eyewitnesses as heavily built and brandishing firearms—allegedly stormed the scene and forcibly seized the cash from the performers.
What followed was a chaotic confrontation. Members of the Jama group resisted the attempted extortion, leading to an altercation during which gunshots were reportedly fired into the air to disperse the crowd.
Amid the melee, one of the Jama group members sustained a stab wound and was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s emergency unit, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Kennedy Agyapong, worried by the incident, addressed the media on Wednesday, April 30, expressing his outrage and deep concern for the safety of his supporters.
“Because of what happened yesterday, myself and my team want to pull out [of the Thank You Tour] because lives are threatened. I don’t think I can protect my team enough. So we want to pull out so that Dr. Bawumia can do his campaign.”
