A fresh chapter has opened in the growing debate surrounding former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Dr. Arthur Kennedy and the party’s 2028 flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, after Communications Chairman for the Bawumia Campaign, Nana Akomea, accused Dr. Kennedy of contradicting himself over claims that details of a private meeting with NPP flagbearer had been leaked.
The controversy comes at a time when the NPP is working to consolidate support and heal internal divisions following its presidential primary and preparations toward the 2028 general elections.
Since emerging victorious in the January 31, 2026 flagbearership contest, Dr. Bawumia has embarked on an extensive reconciliation and consultation exercise, engaging former presidential aspirants, party elders, former ministers, former Members of Parliament, and other influential stakeholders to unite the party behind a common objective.
Among those who met Dr. Bawumia during this post-primary reconciliation effort was Dr. Arthur Kennedy, a former presidential hopeful, political analyst, and long-time critic of the party leadership.
Their meeting attracted public attention after a photograph emerged showing Dr. Bawumia, Dr. Kennedy, and two others standing together on the former Vice President’s porch.
Subsequently, Dr. Kennedy publicly expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as the leaking of a private meeting, suggesting that individuals around Dr. Bawumia had made public an engagement he believed was intended to remain confidential.
However, responding in a social media post on Monday, June 15, Nana Akomea questioned the basis of Kennedy’s complaint and argued that the former presidential aspirant had himself revealed far more information about the meeting than anyone else.
According to Nana Akomea, Dr. Kennedy had earlier informed him that he held a 45-minute one-on-one discussion with Dr. Bawumia and that the conversation was meant to be private.
He noted that Kennedy was unhappy because a photograph of four individuals, including himself and Dr. Bawumia, had been circulated after the meeting.
Nana Akomea, however, challenged the assertion that the group photograph constituted a leak of a confidential conversation.
“How does a photograph of four people standing on a porch amount to the disclosure of a private one-on-one discussion?” Nana Akomea questioned.
The veteran communicator maintained that prior to Dr. Kennedy’s own public comments during a media interview, no one outside the meeting knew what had transpired during the discussion.
“I can say with every confidence that up till last Saturday when Dr. Kennedy spoke about the meeting, no one knew what was discussed,” Akomea stated.
He further argued that it was Dr. Kennedy himself who eventually disclosed details of the encounter to the public.
According to Nana Akomea, during a subsequent interview, Kennedy narrated aspects of his discussion with Dr. Bawumia, including personal anecdotes he shared, concerns he allegedly raised about Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, and his observation that Dr. Bawumia offered no defence and remained silent on the matters raised.
Nana Akomea noted that by publicly recounting portions of the conversation, Dr. Kennedy had effectively revealed details of the meeting that would otherwise have remained unknown.
“So here is Dr. Kennedy, lamenting that a picture amounted to leakage of a one-on-one meeting. Then in the same breath, goes on to narrate some details of the one-on-one confidential meeting,” Akomea wrote.
He added that the irony of the situation was that the individual complaining about a supposed leak had become the primary source of information regarding what transpired behind closed doors.
According to Nana Akomea, the public now knows not only that the meeting took place but also its duration and some of the issues discussed—all because of Dr. Kennedy’s own disclosures.
The Bawumia campaign communications director also praised the NPP flagbearer for exercising restraint throughout the controversy.
He suggested that Dr. Bawumia’s decision not to respond to issues raised during the private discussion demonstrated maturity and respect for confidential engagements.
“It is really good Dr. Bawumia offered no comments on the issues told us by Dr. Kennedy,” Akomea remarked, adding that any response from the former Vice President could also have found its way into the public domain.
The latest exchange comes against the backdrop of recent comments by Dr. Kennedy criticizing the NPP and questioning whether the party, in its current form, deserves to return to power.
Those remarks sparked widespread debate within the party and generated responses from several leading figures, including Dr. Bawumia’s spokesperson and Tano North MP, Dr. Gideon Boako.
Despite the renewed public disagreements, Dr. Bawumia has continued to stress the importance of unity, reconciliation, and inclusiveness as the NPP seeks to reposition itself ahead of the 2028 elections.
His outreach efforts have brought together several former critics, party elders, and key stakeholders, reinforcing his message that internal differences should not stand in the way of the party’s broader political objectives.
