The NPP losing grip on Ashanti Region?

The NPP is not enjoying the kind of support they used to have from the people of the Ashanti Region because of plethora of reasons.

I listened to the livid voices of traders in Kumasi Kejetia in the Ashanti Region on radio and national television some weeks ago

questioning the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government's commitment to the development of the Ashanti Region which is the main backbone behind the party’s electoral victories.

These disappointed party sympathizers also cursed and warned their party of unfair treatment and even went ahead to encourage electorates in the region to vote against the NPP in the upcoming general elections if they failed to complete all stalled projects in the region.

Now, the bombshell! It has been alleged that the Ashanti Regional chairman of the NPP, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi have stated in public that

he has built his own kingdom, have his own police and military, and that

he would challenge Otumfuo if he, Wontumi disagreed on an issue with the Asante King.

A day after the alleged unfortunate incident, Wontumi in a voice audio denied challenging Otumfuo’s authority.

However, speaking on an Abusua FM’s afternoon political talk show program, Nana Kwaku Duah, Kokosohene in the Ashanti Region insisted that Wontumi made the disrespecting comments against Otumfuo, a move which has triggered an action by the Manhyia Palace to summon Chairman Wontumi to appear before it to address the comments he allegedly made.

As soon as I pieced these two incidents of the Kumasi traders and that of Chairman Wontumi together, I shed tears for the NPP whose destiny and electoral fortunes are in the hands of one region - Ashanti; and I'm absolutely certain with my usual conviction that the witches and wizards pursing the NPP are ruthless and come unnoticed in camboo shoes so leaders and members of the party are not able to perceive ominous signals. Chinekeee! Disrespecting Asantehene and expecting majority of votes from his kingdom? Shake my head!

Aside all these, Akufo-Addo has shot himself in the foot by openly supporting his favourite parliamentary candidates in the Ashanti Region, which has led to many NPP parliamentary aspirants wanting to go independent with their teeming supporters, aside Allan and his Aflanfanto Movement.

And there is currently reports of anger and simmering tension within supporters of the NPP in the region over what seems by some parliamentary candidates as discrimination by Nana Akufo-Addo.

There are all indications that the NPP and Bawumia are going to suffer a terrible defeat in the 2024 elections, and I want to issue a caveat to supporters of the ruling party not to follow this year's elections with all their hearts to avoid heartache.

Anthony Obeng Afrane