BY Issah Olegor
Fresh developments surrounding the controversial Base Movement have once again thrust former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant Kennedy Ohene Agyapong into the centre of national political discussion, with political observers linking the growing grassroots mobilisation to the outspoken politician’s earlier warnings that he would unveil his next political direction beginning in 2027.
The renewed attention follows the decision by George Oti Bonsu, a former member of Kennedy Agyapong’s 2024 campaign council, to formally launch and expand the Base Movement, a nationwide grassroots initiative intended to mobilise support for what its organisers describe as a new political awakening around Kennedy Agyapong’s leadership ideals.
Although the movement’s activities have intensified across several parts of the country, Kennedy Agyapong and members of his campaign team have consistently maintained that he has not endorsed the initiative as a separate political vehicle and remains committed to contesting the New Patriotic Party’s presidential primaries ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The latest developments have nevertheless revived public discussion about remarks made by Kennedy Agyapong during a widely publicised interview on Net 2 Television, where he warned the NPP leadership to prepare for significant political developments beginning in June and July 2027.
During that interview, the former Assin Central Member of Parliament expressed deep frustration over what he described as persistent disrespect and attempts to undermine him within the party.
Kennedy Agyapong further suggested that some within the NPP were mistaken if they believed he would automatically campaign for the party in the 2028 elections after, according to him, being subjected to sustained attacks, character assassination and false rumours concerning his health.
Those comments generated considerable anxiety within the NPP and triggered strong reactions from several party members.
Electoral Area Coordinators in the Greater Accra Region subsequently petitioned the party’s National Executive Committee, urging it to compel Kennedy Agyapong to submit evidence supporting any allegations of wrongdoing or face disciplinary action.
The petitioners argued that repeated public threats to expose confidential party matters risked undermining party unity and public confidence in the NPP.
Political commentators also challenged Kennedy Agyapong to disclose any information immediately rather than postponing it until 2027.
Against that backdrop, George Oti Bonsu’s decision to establish the Base Movement has fuelled fresh speculation about Kennedy Agyapong’s political influence among grassroots supporters.
Oti Bonsu, who played a key role during Kennedy Agyapong’s presidential campaign, has described the Base Movement as a nationwide coalition of ordinary Ghanaians, former party supporters and youth determined to champion grassroots-driven political reform inspired by Kennedy Agyapong’s leadership style, discipline and anti-corruption message.
According to him, the movement is not intended to undermine the NPP but rather to build a broad support base around ideas associated with Kennedy Agyapong.
However, the movement itself has become the subject of an internal legal battle.
Veteran Kumawood actor Alexander Kofi Adu, popularly known as Agya Koo, has filed legal proceedings claiming he conceived and founded the Base Movement before other organisers allegedly took control of the initiative.
Oti Bonsu disputes that claim and insists the movement belongs to those who strategically organised it to promote Kennedy Agyapong’s political vision.
The disagreement has resulted in competing factions claiming ownership of the Base Movement’s name, structure and branding, with one splinter group registering “Base Ghana First LBG” and seeking judicial determination of the movement’s legal ownership.
Despite the growing attention surrounding the Base Movement, Kennedy Agyapong’s official representatives continue to reject suggestions that he intends to abandon the New Patriotic Party.
His spokesperson, Kwesi Kwarteng, has publicly dismissed reports suggesting Kennedy Agyapong plans to contest future elections under the Base Movement or any separate political organisation.
Similarly, Nhyiaeso Member of Parliament Dr. Stephen Amoah, one of Kennedy Agyapong’s prominent allies, disclosed that he personally discussed the matter with the former presidential aspirant, who reportedly assured him that he remained committed to the NPP and had no intention of leading a breakaway movement.
The NPP’s National Communications Directorate has also maintained that while independent groups may campaign in support of Kennedy Agyapong, he has neither authorised nor officially endorsed any alternative political movement outside the party.
Even so, political analysts believe the emergence of the Base Movement demonstrates the continued enthusiasm Kennedy Agyapong commands among sections of the party’s grassroots and reflects the broader debate about the future direction of the NPP following its 2024 electoral defeat.
