A member of parliament (MP) from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the Greater Accra regional minister, who is also an MP, of illegally selling lands in the capital and supporting a rival candidate for the party’s presidential nomination. Kennedy Agyapong, the MP for Assin Central, alleged that Henry Quartey, the MP for Ayawaso Central and the regional minister, had used his position to acquire lands from people and sell them at exorbitant prices, including one that he sold to Agyapong for US$200,000, which is now in court.
Agyapong also claimed that Quartey had insulted him and called him a “crazy MP” who wants to become president. He said Quartey had declared his support for Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who is one of the four contenders for the NPP’s flagbearership, along with Agyapong, Agriculture Minister Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former MP Francis Addai-Nimoh. Agyapong made these allegations in a video that was widely circulated on social media, where he addressed a gathering of his supporters in the United States, where he had gone for a campaign tour. He threatened to expose Quartey’s corrupt deeds and warned him to keep his mouth shut.
Quartey is the latest NPP member to be attacked by Agyapong, who is known for his outspoken and controversial statements. Agyapong has also criticized the Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Ashanti Regional Chair of the NPP, Chairman Wontumi, and the national executives of the party. Agyapong has also accused the NPP government of looting the country and stashing the stolen funds abroad. He said he would defend the youth of the country who are not working and are being intimidated by the government.
The NPP is set to elect its presidential candidate on November 4, 2023, to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who is serving his second and final term. The party is facing internal divisions and challenges from the opposition parties, especially the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which is also preparing for its primaries. The issue of land grabbing and corruption has been a major concern for many Ghanaians, who have called for reforms and accountability in the land administration system. The government has promised to address the problem and ensure that land rights are protected and respected.
