Kobina Tahiru Hammond, the former Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa and a long-time associate of Kennedy Agyapong, has openly shared his reasons for not endorsing Agyapong’s candidacy in the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries. In an interview conducted on January 31, 2026, Hammond described the personal rift that led to his decision.
Hammond recounted an incident where Agyapong made disparaging remarks that he found offensive, particularly one suggesting that a Muslim could not ascend to the presidency in Ghana. This assertion struck a chord with Hammond, who identifies as a Muslim and felt insulted by Agyapong’s comments.
“Despite our friendship, I could not support someone who publicly claims that a Muslim cannot be president. That is simply unacceptable,” Hammond stated. He elaborated on how Agyapong’s words affected him deeply, even recounting a moment when Agyapong’s wife was distressed by her husband’s outburst during their conversation.
Hammond emphasized that he sees himself on equal footing with Agyapong, both in stature and capability, arguing that if Agyapong could aspire to the presidency, he too deserved the same opportunity. His comments highlight a broader concern regarding the implications of religious discrimination in political discourse.
“I told him directly that his views on Muslims and leadership were nonsensical. How can I support a campaign that spreads such divisive messages?” Hammond reflected. He concluded that he could not align himself with a narrative that undermines the potential of Muslim candidates in Ghanaian politics.
