The Akuapem North Constituency Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, also known as IGP, has been suspended for making unfounded allegations against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the party’s National Chairman, Freddie Blay, during the polling station executives and electoral area coordinators’ elections.
Suspension Triggered by Petition
In a letter signed by the Eastern Regional Secretary of the NPP, Jeff Konadu, the suspension followed a petition dated March 23, 2022, filed by Carlos Jeffrey Abingale, a polling station youth organizer. The petition cited Owusu Afriyie’s conduct as a breach of Article 3 Clause 5A of the NPP constitution.
Evidence presented included a television news video in which Owusu Afriyie alleged that President Akufo-Addo and Freddie Blay were “destroying the NPP.”
Threats and Blackmail Claims
The petition further accused the Youth Organizer of threatening to blackmail the government on Facebook Live with the controversial E-Levy bill. He allegedly threatened to project his own candidate for the 2024 elections, collapse the party, and warned the constituency’s MP, Nana Ama Dokua, against supporting the bill in Parliament.
The Regional Steering Committee found a prima facie case of gross misconduct and suspended him pending a disciplinary enquiry.
Owusu Afriyie Reacts to Suspension
Responding via Facebook, Owusu Afriyie said:
“Thanks to the good people of NPP. The suspension was well received and acknowledged. My love for the elephant fraternity is unshaken. The position is not a possession. We continue to serve the NPP in every capacity I find myself.”
He later posted a photo with NPP National Youth Organizer, Nana Boakye, adding:
“If a constituency youth organiser can be suspended without hearing his side of the story, over to us all. I shall be back.”
Party Tensions in Akuapem North
Meanwhile, some aggrieved NPP members in Akuapem North boycotted the constituency elections, alleging irregularities, manipulation, and national security interference.
The disgruntled members, mostly supporters of MP Nana Ama Dokua, accused party officials of allowing ineligible candidates—some with fake nomination forms or prior breaches of the constitution—to contest.
They also alleged that security operatives were deployed to intimidate party members aligned with the incumbent MP. The aggrieved members have since filed a case at the Koforidua High Court, seeking to injunct the elections.
