Lawyer Barima Sarpong Calls for Honest Dialogue to Restore Peace in Afigya Sekyere East NPP

Lawyer Barima Sarpong, a native of Dawu in the Afigya Sekyere East Constituency, has appealed to the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to initiate an honest and inclusive dialogue to resolve tensions arising from the party’s recent constituency executive elections.

In a statement, Lawyer Sarpong urged the party’s national and Ashanti Regional leadership to engage constituency stakeholders in a peaceful and constructive discussion aimed at restoring discipline, unity and lasting peace.

He expressed concern over the recent developments in the constituency, noting that the dispute surrounding the executive elections had created divisions and resulted in disturbances that led to arrests.

According to him, the situation should not be viewed as an opportunity to assign blame but rather as a call for the party to work together to restore calm and strengthen internal cohesion.

Lawyer Sarpong recounted that the constituency election was conducted amid concerns over the electoral album, after which the NPP National Steering Committee annulled the process through a communication signed by Acting National Chairman Danquah Smith Buttey. He noted that the newly elected constituency executives and the Ashanti Regional leadership also responded in ways they believed served the interest of the constituency, leading to differing positions.

He stressed that greater consultation between the national and regional leadership would help prevent similar disputes in the future.

“Afigya Sekyere East is part of the Ashanti Region, and the regional leadership understands the local dynamics best. More engagement between the national and regional leadership before major decisions are taken will build trust and reduce confusion,” he stated.

Lawyer Sarpong said the issue was not about determining who was right or wrong but about finding a united path forward for the party.

He reminded party members that Afigya Sekyere East has a proud political heritage, having produced distinguished statesmen such as the late Victor Owusu and former Chief of Staff Kwadwo Okyere Mpiani, whose legacy of wisdom and unity should be preserved.

He proposed that the National Executives, Ashanti Regional Executives and constituency stakeholders meet to review concerns surrounding the electoral album, agree on a peaceful roadmap for the executive elections and reaffirm their commitment to party discipline in a manner that promotes reconciliation.

Lawyer Sarpong urged all factions within the party to place unity above personal interests, saying the NPP’s strength depended on its ability to resolve internal disagreements through dialogue.

Quoting advice from his late grandfather, Kofi Adu, he concluded: “Let wisdom control power. Let us choose peace over pride and unity over division.”

He expressed confidence that through sincere engagement, Afigya Sekyere East could restore its reputation as a united constituency and contribute to a stronger NPP ahead of the 2028 general elections.