Frankly, I hold a very high pedigree of respect for the gentle giant, H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK). His leadership remains one of the finest examples of democratic excellence, humility, and statesmanship in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. I will never, under any circumstance, countenance any form of uncouth behavior or insolent disrespect toward him from any member of our great New Patriotic Party (NPP). President Kufuor deserves nothing but admiration and reverence for the legacy he left behind.

However, it is important to separate genuine respect for Kufuor from the manipulative antics of those who exploit his name for their own selfish, divisive political ends. That brings me to the latest unfortunate incident involving Dr. Richard Anane and Hon. Kwame Baffoe Abronye. I want to state emphatically and without any ambiguity that Dr. Richard Anane lied and lied monstrously. At no point during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting did Abronye insult or show any form of disrespect to former President Kufuor.

Here are the facts: A proposal was raised by H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor at the NEC meeting, which Abronye, as a committed party member, responded to with a counterargument. His submission was well within the confines of reasoned debate. The NEC is not a monarchy where views are imposed; it is a deliberative body where members express agreement or disagreement in pursuit of the party’s interest. Abronye merely made a counterproposal, as many others did. There were no insults, no acts of insolence, and certainly no breach of decorum toward President Kufuor.

What happened next was a disgraceful distortion of the truth. Dr. Richard Anane, who was not even present at that NEC meeting, took it upon himself to feed the media a completely false story. He claimed that Abronye had insulted President Kufuor. This was not only a blatant lie but a calculated attempt to destroy Abronye’s image and create unnecessary tension within the party. Such reckless misinformation from a senior figure like Dr. Anane is inexcusable and beneath the dignity expected of a party elder.

Now, while I do not condone some of the harsh and emotionally charged language Abronye used in response, I understand his frustration. When a man’s name is deliberately dragged through the mud, when his loyalty and integrity are questioned over a complete falsehood, it is natural for him to defend himself. Abronye was not being rebellious; he was defending his reputation from a deliberate and malicious lie.

The truth, however, goes beyond this one episode. Dr. Richard Anane’s behavior is not new; it is a continuation of the same toxic, deceitful internal politics he practiced for years against President Akufo-Addo. From 2007 through to 2016, Dr. Anane was at the center of one of the most poisonous internal campaigns in our party’s history. His actions, cloaked under the guise of loyalty to President Kufuor, caused deep divisions, fostered suspicion, and nearly destroyed the NPP’s internal unity. It is this same brand of politics that crippled the political career of Alan Kyerematen, who became a victim of the manipulative tactics of the so-called Kufuor bloc led by individuals like Anane.

Dr. Anane has always mastered the art of hiding behind President Kufuor’s name to advance his own political agenda. He projects himself as a defender of Kufuor’s legacy, but in reality, he uses Kufuor’s respected name as a weapon to attack others. Over the years, he has sowed discord between party leaders by fabricating tales of “disrespect” and “insults” to Kufuor, lies designed to discredit those he sees as threats to his clique’s influence.

Don't forget that this same Dr. Anane once declared that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo can only be President of Ghana in the next world. What kind of elder in a democratic political tradition makes such a reckless, hateful, and unguarded statement against his own party’s flagbearer? What manner of loyalty is that? Yet, today, the same man wants to present himself as a saintly defender of President Kufuor’s dignity. It is hypocrisy of the highest order.

Now that his lies have been exposed, Dr. Anane and his cronies are attempting to play the emotional card to paint themselves as victims and Abronye as the aggressor. But those of us who have followed the internal history of the NPP know this game all too well. This is not about Abronye. It is about a small clique of bitter men who have never recovered from their loss of political influence after 2008. For years, they have nursed bitterness against Akufo-Addo, and now that he is gone from the scene, they are redirecting that bitterness toward Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

It is time to call things by their proper names. Dr. Richard Anane is a bitter man, deeply resentful of those who have risen in the party without his blessing. He is not acting out of love for Kufuor; he is acting out of envy, insecurity, and political desperation. And if anyone fails to see that, it is because they share in the same bitterness or benefit from it.

The NPP must move beyond this destructive politics of lies, blackmail, and emotional manipulation. President Kufuor remains a revered figure, but his legacy should not be weaponized by individuals who thrive on division. The party must protect its integrity from those who exploit the good name of our leaders to settle personal scores.

Dr. Bawumia, as the next torchbearer of the NPP, must be vigilant. The same people who tormented Akufo-Addo with malicious propaganda are regrouping to undermine his campaign. But this time, they must be stopped in their tracks. The grace period for lies and manipulation is over. The era where deceit is rewarded with silence must end.

Richard Anane’s brand of politics, vindictive, hypocritical, and parasitic, belongs to the past. The NPP must draw a clear line between respect for President Kufuor and tolerance for those who abuse his name. Abronye deserves fairness, not vilification.

It is time for Dr. Anane and his clique to understand that the NPP is no longer a playground for personal vendettas. The new generation of party faithfuls, will not allow lies to go unchallenged. The era of silent suffering is over; this time, truth will stand tall.

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