The New Patriotic Party (NPP) did not officially demand a retraction or apology from Kennedy Agyapong for his criticisms regarding the uncompleted Afari Military Hospital. A fact-check confirmed that a widely circulated statement purportedly from the NPP was fabricated. This finding disproves a claim that gained significant traction across social media platforms.
The false claim emerged after Kennedy Agyapong, a former Member of Parliament, openly criticized successive administrations, including his own party, about the hospital's neglected state. He made these remarks on June 16, 2026, expressing disappointment over the facility's prolonged delay. Shortly after his comments, a fabricated statement, bearing NPP colours and contacts, was posted online, demanding his apology and threatening disciplinary action.
This incident reflects the heightened political tensions surrounding the Afari Military Hospital, a project that has become a contentious issue between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Both major parties have faced accusations of negligence concerning the hospital's condition. The spread of such fabricated statements can further escalate political rivalries and public distrust, especially in the lead-up to national elections.
LUV FACT-CHECK conducted a thorough verification process. They noted that the purported statement exhibited inconsistencies in formatting and design compared to official NPP communications. For example, it lacked official identifiers like a reference code and fax number, which are standard in genuine party releases. Image analysis tools also revealed signs of tampering in the viral document.
This situation underscores the growing challenge of misinformation in Ghana's digital political landscape. Official communications from the NPP, including a statement signed by Anthony Nsiah Asare on June 16, 2026, and a response from Communications Director Richard Ahiagbah, did not demand a retraction from Mr. Agyapong. Mr. Ahiagbah suggested Mr. Agyapong lacked complete information about the project at the time of his comments. The NPP's General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, whose signature was supposedly on the fabricated release, has not publicly confirmed or denied its authenticity.
The propagation of false claims can manipulate public opinion and create unnecessary divisions. Voters and market observers should always verify information before accepting it as truth. The political implications of such fabrications include potential destabilization of party unity and erosion of public confidence in political figures. Moving forward, the public should anticipate additional fact-checks as the political discourse intensifies. The integrity of information will remain crucial for Ghana's economic and political stability.