As the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) gears up for what’s shaping up to be a fierce flagbearer contest, former President John Agyekum Kufuor is urging party faithful to take a deep breath — and dial down the insults.
Speaking at the opening of a new NPP constituency office in Bantama on Friday, Kufuor delivered a pointed message to presidential hopefuls and their supporters: Compete, yes — but don’t destroy the party in the process.
“Siblings fight for power,” Kufuor said, drawing a metaphor that many in the party could relate to. “But it is an abomination for one to take power and completely push the other aside. When that happens, you won’t get the numbers.”
The comments come at a time when tensions within the NPP are running high, with personal attacks, social media jabs, and whisper campaigns threatening to overshadow policy debates. While Kufuor stopped short of naming names, his message was clear: Unity is non-negotiable.
He condemned the increasingly toxic tone of the race, warning that even indirect attacks by surrogates and supporters could do lasting damage. “Let us not insult or disparage one another,” he said. “Those contesting have been heard saying some of the most painful and hurtful things. Sometimes it’s them, sometimes it’s their people — but it reflects on the candidate either way.”
Kufuor’s remarks reflect growing concern among party elders that internal divisions could hurt the NPP’s chances in the next general election. With several high-profile contenders in the running, the former president is urging a return to civility, reminding members that political competition doesn’t have to mean character assassination.
“Yes, competition is part of democracy,” he acknowledged. “But it must be done with mutual respect and loyalty to the party’s greater purpose.”
In other words: fight for the flag, not against each other.
