Kennedy Agyapong’s latest outburst in the north was not a campaign message, it was a tribal sermon, delivered with arrogance and dripping with contempt. Ghanaians are wearing of politics based on ethnicity and division. Clearly this rhetoric contradicts the principles of unity and mutual respect for voters in the 5 Northern states. His complains were not just politically unwise, but potentially damaging to the nation’s stability and social cohesion.
What should have been an opportunity to unite Ghanaians has instead become a disgraceful exhibition of prejudice against chiefs, parliamentarians and opinion leaders, from a man who wants to rule a nation he clearly does not understand. As a citizen who believes in unity, fairness, and mutual respect among all ethnic groups, I find his rhetoric not just disappointing but dangerously tribalistic.
In his tour, Mr. Agyapong reportedly questioned why the 2024 elections should “be about Northerners,” going as far as to warn that if they did not support him, the South would retaliate. Retaliate? Against whom? Against fellow Ghanaians whose only crime is exercising their right to vote freely? That is not political strategy, that is tribal blackmail. Instead of inspiring the people of the north with a message of inclusion, development, and shared destiny, Mr. Agyapong chose to castigate and threaten them. Such language is not merely insensitive, it is inflammatory, and unbecoming of any leader aspiring to the presidency. “Vote for me or face Southern vengeance” It is tribal arrogance masquerading as political courage
If Mr. Agyapong genuinely believes southern votes are enough and that alone can secure his victory, then why journey north only to berate the very people whose support he seeks? he should have stayed in the South and campaigned in his echo chamber of arrogance. Instead, he carried his divisive gospel northward, not to persuade but to intimidate, not to build bridges but to burn them. His visit was not one of persuasion or partnership, but a threat disguised as a campaign. It was a scolding tour, delivered with condescension and veiled threats. That is not leadership; it is intimidation dressed as bravado. When a man believes that political power belongs to one ethnic bloc, he disqualifies himself from leading a republic built on equality. If that is leadership, then termites are engineers.
The people of northern Ghana are not beggars for respect; they are partners in the national project. They have produced statesmen, scholars, and soldiers who have held this country together while men like Kennedy Agyapong were busy turning their loudmouths into microphones of division. The people of northern Ghana, like all citizens, possess the full right to vote according to conscience and conviction. They owe no allegiance to a candidate who questions their political choices or reduces them to mere pawns in a regional chess game. To demean their decision-making is to insult their intelligence and insult Ghana itself.
Our democracy survives on the strength of its diversity, Akan, Ewe, Dagomba, Ga, Frafra, and countless others bound by one flag and one destiny. It survived coups, corruption and chaos. But it may not survive the politics of tribal hatred, if men like Agyapong are allowed to set the tone. Ghana does not need another tribal demagogue in a suit; we need a leader who understands that unity is not a campaign slogan, it is the foundation of our very survival. Politicians who seek to fracture this unity for personal gain must be called out without hesitation. Ghana deserves leaders who build bridges, not barriers; who unite her people, not pit them against each other.
So yes, Mr. Agyapong may shout about his millions and boast of his power, but a man who divides his people is already politically bankrupt. Ghana will outlive his noise, but history will not forget that at a time when we needed unity, Kennedy Agyapong chose division.
Osɔfo Nii Naate Atswele Agbo Nartey
