“We saved Obuasi West” – Ayew Afriye breaks silence on Kwaku Kwarteng petition

Dr Nana Ayew Afriye ,Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore

Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye has responded to a petition by Obuasi West MP Kwaku Kwarteng seeking disciplinary action against him, insisting that his actions during the 2024 election period were aimed at protecting the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) chances of retaining the constituency.

Ayew Afriyie, in a statement shared on social media, said he intervened in Obuasi West after intelligence suggested the party was at risk of losing the seat ahead of the 2024 general election.

His comments follow a petition by Kwarteng to the NPP General Secretary requesting sanctions against him over what he described as misconduct linked to the party’s Obuasi West constituency executive elections appeal.

“We saved Obuasi West seat”

Responding to the allegations, Ayew Afriye said his involvement was based on concerns from party research and internal assessments that showed the NPP was vulnerable in Obuasi.

“Interesting! We saved the Obuasi seat. Once upon a time during the National elections, Intel plus the elections research center pointed to us losing Obuasi,” he wrote.

He said he engaged key stakeholders, including Kwarteng, then parliamentary candidate for Obuasi West, and other party figures in an attempt to address concerns threatening the party’s electoral prospects.

Independent candidate controversy

Ayew Afriye said he held discussions with Kwarteng over calls for an independent parliamentary candidate, Kofi Appianin Ennin, to step aside.

He claimed that together with NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and lawyer Adom, they met the independent candidate, who he said was initially willing to withdraw after concerns were discussed.

However, Ayew Afriye alleged that Kwarteng rejected efforts to engage the independent candidate, describing him as “indisciplined” and insisting he should be ignored.

According to the Effiduase-Asokore MP, he later advised Kwarteng to meet one Joe Anokye over concerns about the party’s chances in Obuasi West.

“Do not start proxy fights”

Ayew Afriyie said subsequent discussions within the NPP’s regional campaign structure led to a decision that allowing the independent candidate to remain in the race was necessary to prevent losing the constituency.

He claimed some miners had warned the party that attempts to force the independent candidate to withdraw could push thousands of votes to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“I was invited into another meeting again by Chairman Wontumi around the middle of November 2024. This time, the argument had changed rather for the Independent to remain else we were going to lose the seat,” he said.

He added that the independent candidate later campaigned for the NPP’s presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in areas considered difficult for the party.

The MP argued that the eventual election results justified the decision to allow the independent candidate to remain in the race.

He said Dr Bawumia secured more than 10,000 additional votes in Obuasi compared with the parliamentary candidate’s margin, while Kwarteng won the Obuasi West seat by 3,342 votes.

“After Dec 7th, DMB had over 10,012 votes difference and Kwaku won with a difference of 3,342 votes. DMB had more votes than you,” he wrote.

He urged Kwarteng to focus on strengthening the party rather than pursuing what he described as a “surrogate fight”.

“Kwaku show gratitude. All conversations about these in all spheres are on my phone. I beg let me enjoy the DMB overwhelming support in Ashanti wai & dont attempt some proxy fightings,” he said.

Background

Kwarteng’s petition to the NPP General Secretary accused Ayew Afriyie of making false claims before the party’s Constituency Appeals Committee and Ashanti Regional Executive Committee during the dispute over the Obuasi West constituency executive elections.

He requested that the National Disciplinary Committee investigate the matter and consider sanctions including reprimand, suspension or disqualification from holding party positions.

The NPP has not publicly commented on the petition or indicated whether disciplinary proceedings will be opened.