Former Member of Parliament for Bekwai, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has dismissed claims of bad blood between New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Boakye Agyarko, who is contesting the party’s National Chairmanship position.
According to Mr Osei-Owusu, there is no basis for suggestions that Dr Bawumia was involved in the decision that led to Mr Agyarko’s removal from office as Energy Minister under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Speaking in an interview with Kwesi Parker Wilson on Oyerepa Breakfast Time, he also rejected suggestions that Mr Agyarko harbours resentment towards the former President.
“Did you ever hear that Bawumia is not the one who dismissed Agyarko or any discussion that Bawumia was involved which led to the sacking of Agyarko?” he said.
Mr Osei-Owusu said Mr Agyarko’s political focus should instead be understood within the broader objective of strengthening the NPP and supporting its presidential candidate.
He argued that Mr Agyarko’s campaign for the National Chairmanship is based on the need to build a stronger party structure capable of supporting Dr Bawumia’s presidential bid.
“The main mission of Agyarko is that Bawumia would become President. Why would he frustrate him?” he asked.
He said Mr Agyarko had previously acknowledged that the NPP had a strong presidential candidate but needed a stronger party organisation to support the candidate.
“He said we had a good presidential candidate, but we did not have a strong party. So now we need to build a strong party to support our candidate,” Mr Osei-Owusu said.
He further called for the election of national executives who can command respect, uphold principles and speak truthfully to the party’s leadership.
“Anyone who wants the development of the NPP, if you cast your mind back, you could see we need someone who commands respect, can tell you the truth and is principled,” he said.
The comments come ahead of the NPP’s National Officers’ Elections scheduled for October 3, 2026, in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
A total of 47 aspirants have been cleared to contest nine national executive positions, including National Chairperson, Vice Chairpersons, General Secretary, National Treasurer, National Organiser, National Women’s Organiser, National Youth Organiser, National Nasara Organiser and National Communications Director.
In the National Chairmanship contest, John Boadu is on the first position on the ballot, followed by Sammy Crabbe, former National Chairman Paul Afoko and Boakye Agyarko in the fourth position.
