Gabby Otchere-Darko’s rebuke of Ashanti MPs exposes fractures in party messaging and regional loyalties
A simmering dispute within Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has burst into public view, as influential party strategist Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko launched a scathing critique of Ashanti Region MPs for apologizing over the government’s perceived development failures in the region. The backlash from the Ashanti Caucus has been swift and uncompromising, revealing deeper tensions over infrastructure priorities, political messaging, and the party’s electoral strategy ahead of 2028.
Otchere-Darko, a cousin of former President Nana Akufo-Addo and a key figure in the party’s inner circle, accused Ashanti MPs of undermining the NPP’s record by conceding failure where, in his view, none existed. Speaking at a party event captured on video and widely circulated on social media, he described the apology as “an own goal,” arguing that the government had delivered substantial road projects in the region—albeit tailored to local preferences for inner roads over flyovers.
His remarks have triggered a fierce rebuttal from the Ashanti Caucus, which issued a formal statement on 6 October rejecting Otchere-Darko’s claims as “false” and “disrespectful.” Signed by Caucus Chair Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi and Secretary Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the statement demanded evidence of the alleged meeting where MPs supposedly rejected flyovers. “No such meeting ever took place,” the MPs insisted, warning that the comments risk fracturing party unity and alienating a region that has long been the NPP’s electoral bedrock.
Otchere-Darko’s intervention appears to be part of a broader effort to recalibrate the party’s narrative ahead of the 2028 elections. He urged MPs and communicators to avoid conceding failure, even in the face of public dissatisfaction. “Politics is comparative,” he said. “Even if I am not well-looking, I may be better-looking than you.” The metaphor, while awkward, underscores his belief that the NPP must frame its record in relative terms, especially against the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He further argued that the party must be “bold in defending its track record,” citing achievements in health, agriculture, education, and security. Yet his tone—combining condescension with strategic coaching—has alienated some within the party, particularly in Ashanti, where expectations for flagship infrastructure projects like the Suame Interchange remain unmet.
The Ashanti Region has historically delivered overwhelming support for the NPP, making Otchere-Darko’s comments all the more incendiary. Assafuah, who has previously criticized the government for delays in completing key projects, reiterated that the region’s loyalty must be matched with tangible development. “The people of Ashanti deserve truth, respect, and results,” the Caucus stated.
The controversy also raises questions about the influence of Otchere-Darko, whose proximity to the former president and role in shaping party strategy have long been sources of intrigue. His critics accuse him of wielding disproportionate power without electoral accountability, while his defenders view him as a necessary voice of realism in a party prone to internal complacency.
With the NPP gearing up for a potentially bruising contest in 2028, the fallout from this episode could have lasting implications. The party’s ability to reconcile internal divisions, especially between its Eastern and Ashanti power blocs, will be critical. Otchere-Darko’s call for strategic messaging may resonate with some, but unless paired with concrete delivery and regional sensitivity, it risks deepening mistrust within the party’s most loyal base.