Barely two weeks to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, a pressure group known as Concerned Residents of Kwahu has called on Dr. Bryan Acheampong to withdraw from the flagbearership race, accusing him of playing a role in the long-running chieftaincy dispute in the Kwahu Traditional Area of the Eastern Region.

Dr. Acheampong, who is contesting the NPP flagbearership alongside former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyepong, Ing. Kwabena Agyepong and Dr. Osei Adutwum, is alleged by the group to have sponsored and influenced actions that have contributed to instability and stalled development in Kwahu.

The group’s demand follows recent claims made by Opare Ansah, a leading member of the NPP, who alleged that Dr. Acheampong once threatened to boycott the party’s campaign activities in the Eastern Region during the 2024 electioneering period over tensions involving the Kwahumanhene.

In a video clip from an interview on Asempa FM, Opare Ansah alleged that Dr. Acheampong warned party officials against paying a courtesy call on the Kwahumanhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II, during a campaign tour to Abetifi.

“Bryan helped us in the Eastern Region, but he also caused harm at some point. On the day we were going to Abetifi, the regional chairman sent me a message saying that if we made the mistake of going to greet the Kwahumanhene, he would boycott both the Kwahu and Abetifi programmes,” Opare Ansah stated.

He added that the strained relationship between Dr. Acheampong and the Kwahumanhene spilled over into party politics at the time, creating internal challenges for the NPP in the region.

Convener of the Concerned Residents of Kwahu, Owusu Nketiah, said the statement by Opare Ansah confirms what the group describes as long-held intelligence that Dr. Acheampong was deeply involved in a failed attempt to destool the Kwahumanhene.

According to the group, the alleged actions have plunged the Kwahu Traditional Area into a prolonged chieftaincy dispute, negatively affecting peace and development.

“Such a character does not deserve to lead a political party like the NPP,” the group stated, stressing that respect for traditional authority and internal unity are essential qualities for national leadership.

They further warned that the NPP risks losing its traditional electoral stronghold in Kwahu—where the party has enjoyed massive support since 1992—if Dr. Acheampong emerges as the party’s presidential candidate.

The group has therefore urged the leadership of the NPP to take the concerns of the people of Kwahu seriously in order to safeguard the party’s electoral fortunes and help restore lasting peace in the traditional area.

The Kwahu chieftaincy dispute centers on Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II, who was lawfully nominated, enstooled and gazetted as Kwahuhene in 2017. Despite his legal recognition, some kingmakers attempted to destool him and later purportedly enstooled Baffuor Akoto Osei as a replacement in January 2025.

However, the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, in a ruling delivered on June 24, 2025, granted an interlocutory injunction restraining Baffuor Akoto Osei and others from interfering with the authority and functions of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II. The ruling was later enforced by the police on November 17, restoring Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II to the Abene Palace.

Dr. Bryan Acheampong has yet to publicly respond to the allegations made by the Concerned Residents of Kwahu.

Writer’s Name: Andre Mustapha Nii Okai Inusah
Popularly Known As: Attractive Mustapha
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