Bryan Acheampong
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong has sought to clarify his recent comments about the December 2024 elections, which has sparked controversy and accusations of inciting violence.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme on Monday, the MP for Abetifi constituency explained that his statement about the New Patriotic Party (NPP) winning the election “by all means necessary” was misquoted and taken out of context.
During a Campaign Tour of the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), last weekend at Nsawam, Bryan Acheampong when addressing the gathering made a statement in which he said the party will retain pawer by all means.
However he insisted that his remarks were not intended to incite violence or suggest that the NPP would engage in unlawful activities to win the election.
Instead, he explained that he was simply stressing the party’s determination to win the election through legitimate means.
“I never said what they are accusing me of,” Acheampong said. “I was simply stressing that, as a political party, our aim is to win the election, and we are doing everything possible to achieve that” he clarified.
The Abetifi MP, Dr Bryan Acheampong’s comments were likely referring to the NPP’s confidence and their chances of winning the election, based on the government’s performance and the party’s strong support base.
He explained “We have a natural core support base, and the government’s performance speaks for itself,” he explained.
“The NDC is trying to disgrace the NPP to gain votes, but we are confident that we will win.”
The Minister reiterated that his comments were focused on the party’s efforts to secure a win through legitimate means, based on their track record, and not on any unlawful actions.
“When I said the NPP will win, I meant it because I know how hard the government has worked,” he stated.
“My statement was not meant to be taken negatively.”
Acheampong’s clarification comes after his initial comments sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing him of inciting violence and suggesting that the NPP would engage in electoral malpractices to win the election.
The controversy has highlighted the intense political rivalry between the NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), with both parties engaging in heated exchanges and accusations in the lead-up to the December 2024 elections.
-BY Daniel Bampoe