By Franklin Asare-Donkoh
A 2024 presidential candidate aspirant and former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has officially announced his withdrawal from the party’s ongoing “Thank You” tour, which is being led by the NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The former lawmaker’s decision follows a violent incident involving the stabbing of a student from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), affiliated with Unity Hall. The assailants are alleged to be known associates of the party.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, on Wednesday, 30 April 2025, Mr Agyapong announced his withdrawal from the tour and pledged to seek justice for the victim.
“Because of what happened yesterday, my team and I want to pull out because lives are threatened, and I don’t think I can protect my team enough. So we want out so that Dr Bawumia can do his campaign,” he said.
The victim, who is currently receiving treatment at the emergency unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, is a member of Unity Hall’s Jama group and had been hired by Mr Agyapong’s team to perform at the event, which was held at the Pentecost Church in Bantama, Kumasi.
According to Mr Agyapong’s team, a wealthy friend of the former MP who attended the event gave money to the Jama group.
However, a group of heavily built, gun-wielding men, believed to be affiliated with the NPP, allegedly emerged and forcibly took the money.
A confrontation ensued between the Jama group and the armed men, during which gunshots were fired. In the chaos, one member of the Jama group was stabbed.
The victim was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and is currently receiving medical care.
Mr Agyapong and his team have since lodged an official complaint with the Kumasi Central Police Command.
