Kobina Tahir (KT) Hammond, a former Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, has launched a blistering critique of certain New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirants who, he argues, are leveraging their wealth to bolster their campaigns and claiming to have financially supported the party’s development. Hammond’s pointed remarks, delivered on September 10, 2025, during Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign tour in the Ashanti Region, denounce these aspirants as “latter-day braggarts,” dismissing their claims of financial contributions and highlighting their absence during the party’s leaner years.
Hammond’s core argument centers on a perceived disconnect between the flaunting of wealth by some aspirants and the dedication of the party’s grassroots members, many of whom are not affluent. He contends that these aspirants are attempting to create a divisive narrative of “rich versus poor” within the NPP, while emphasizing that the majority of party members, particularly at the grassroots level, stand firmly behind Dr. Bawumia. He poses a challenging question: “If they want to turn this party into the rich versus the poor, then we want to tell them that we the poor who are in the majority are for Dr Bawumia.” This statement underscores his belief that the party’s strength lies in its grassroots support, not in the wealth of individual aspirants.
Hammond further bolsters his argument by invoking the NPP’s history. He recalls the party’s financial struggles in its early years, specifically before the 2000 elections, and highlights the absence of these now-wealthy aspirants during those challenging times. He questions their whereabouts when the party desperately needed resources, implying that their current displays of wealth are opportunistic and disingenuous, a stark contrast to the sacrifices made by the party’s founding members. This historical context serves to undermine the aspirants’ claims of significant financial contributions and to paint them as newcomers who are attempting to buy their way into leadership positions.
The former MP’s speech then pivots to praise the dedication and sacrifices of the NPP’s early stalwarts, emphasizing their instrumental role in building the party into a formidable political force. He accuses the “braggarts” of not only failing to contribute during the party’s formative years but also of disrespecting the legacy of these stalwarts by flaunting their wealth. He suggests that these aspirants are enjoying the fruits of the sacrifices made by others without acknowledging or respecting the hard work and dedication that laid the foundation for the party’s success. This underscores the importance of loyalty, commitment, and shared struggle in his view of true party leadership.
Hammond explicitly endorses Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy, highlighting his perceived suitability for leadership despite not possessing the same level of wealth as some of his competitors. He reiterates his loyalty to Bawumia, stating, “Yes, we accept we are poor and those of us who are not rich will support Dr Bawumia, because he has what it takes to lead this party to victory.” This statement reinforces the idea that leadership qualities and commitment to the party are more valuable than personal wealth. He underscores the belief that Bawumia possesses the necessary attributes to lead the party to victory, implying that these qualities transcend financial resources. He emphasizes that this conviction is shared by his constituents in Adansi Asokwa, further solidifying his argument that the grassroots support for Bawumia is rooted in his perceived leadership capabilities, not financial clout.
In essence, KT Hammond’s speech constructs a powerful narrative that contrasts the ostentatious displays of wealth by some NPP flagbearer aspirants with the dedication and loyalty of the party’s grassroots members. He argues that true leadership lies not in wealth but in commitment, sacrifice, and a deep understanding of the party’s history and values. By emphasizing the struggles of the party’s early years and the dedication of its founding members, he seeks to delegitimize the claims of those who, in his view, are attempting to buy their way into leadership positions. His unwavering support for Dr. Bawumia is presented as a reflection of the will of the party’s grassroots, who value dedication and leadership qualities over mere financial resources. Hammond’s speech ultimately serves as a rallying cry for the party’s base, urging them to support a candidate who embodies the party’s core values and historical struggles.
