A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team, Kofi Tonto, has taken a swipe at former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, over comments in which he reportedly described the party as “fake.”
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, hosted by Moro Awudu, Mr. Tonto accused the former minister of engaging in personal and damaging attacks against former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, rather than offering constructive criticism aimed at strengthening the party.
Mr. Tonto questioned Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s public remarks suggesting that he would have been a better president than Akufo-Addo, describing the comments as inappropriate and disrespectful, especially coming from a former cabinet member.
He noted that several prominent figures within the NPP, including Bryan Acheampong and Yaw Osei Adutwum, were given opportunities and support under Akufo-Addo’s leadership despite being strong-willed and independent-minded.
According to Mr. Tonto, Mr. Acheampong served in key ministerial roles overseeing Agriculture and National Security, sectors he said collectively account for a significant portion of the economy, while Mr. Adutwum was brought from the United States to serve in government.
Mr. Tonto argued that Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s criticisms were driven more by personal ambition than genuine concern for party reform, claiming the former minister had openly admitted in an interview that he believed he would have performed better as president.
He described it as troubling for a public official to serve under a leader while harbouring and publicly expressing the belief that he was superior to that leader, suggesting such conduct raised serious questions about Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s posture during cabinet deliberations.
Mr. Tonto further defended the party’s decision to interrogate the former minister’s comments, insisting they went beyond fair criticism and posed a threat to party unity.
He also dismissed claims that the NPP rushed into another election cycle without adequate reflection after its defeat, describing such assertions as misleading.
While acknowledging that internal debate is healthy for any political organisation, Mr. Tonto maintained that public statements that undermine party leadership and cohesion should not be encouraged.