Kennedy Agyapong, the former member of parliament for Assin Central, has formally declared his intention to withdraw from the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) current “Thank You” tour, citing concerns over the safety of his followers.
He made this choice in response to a violent event in which a student from Unity Hall’s affiliated Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) was stabbed.
Agyapong’s team had contracted the victim, who was a member of Unity Hall’s Jama group, to perform at the event at the Pentecost Church in Bantama, Kumasi.
Agyapong’s side claims that money was donated to the Jama organization by a wealthy friend of the former MP who was present at the event. But apparently, a gang of burly, armed guys, said to be from the NPP, appeared and seized the cash.
There was gunfire during the altercation between the armed guys and the Jama group. One of the Jama group was stabbed in the confusion. After being taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s emergency room, the victim is still undergoing treatment.
Since then, the Kumasi Central Police Command has received an official complaint from Kennedy Agyapong and his group.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Agyapong confirmed his withdrawal from the tour and vowed to pursue justice for the victim.
“Because of what yesterday, myself and my team want to pull out because lives are threatened, I don’t think I can protect my team enough. So we want out so that Dr Bawumia can do his campaign.”