The Ashanti Regional Communication Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Kwabena Yandoh, has ignited controversy by vowing to report Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II over the organization of the maiden AshantiFest2025.
Yandoh claims the minister’s initiative disregards traditional authority, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from within his own party.
Paul Yandoh’s remarks come at a time when the Ashanti Regional Minister led celebration of #AshantiFest2025, the maiden edition of the festival in the region, designed to spotlight Asante culture, tourism, and economic opportunities.
In an interview with Kumasi-based AshFM, monitored by Kumasi Mail, the NPP Ashanti communication Chief argued that festivals fall under the purview of traditional leaders, not government officials.
He accused celebrated Dr. Frank Amoakohene of overstepping his authority by organizing the event without the Asantehene’s direct involvement.
“Kumasi belongs to Otumfuo… I’ll meet him at the airport when he arrives and inform him that Dr. Frank Amoakohene is celebrating a festival in the region where he is not around.”
Yandoh further criticized the minister for prioritizing the festival over sanitation and infrastructure challenges
“Instead of tackling the sanitation and darkness issues in the region, Frank Amoakohene refuses to act and instead seeks to take over the role of Nananom (chiefs) by organizing the festival. A festival remains a festival.”
However, research conducted by Kumasimail.com reveals that the name #AshantiFest2025 has over seven million reach within 9 days, that is from April 12- April 21 using Brand24 tool,and many are discussing the event.
Marketing Experts believe this is putting the Ashanti region in the spotlight for investors, encouraging them to learn more about the area and consider investing in it.
The NPP director of Communication remarks have laid bare deepening divisions within the party’s stronghold.
Multiple party MPs and officials have distanced themselves from his comments, describing it as irresponsible with insiders describing the festival as a “masterstroke in regional branding.” One anonymous NPP strategist warned: “Sabotaging this project risks alienating voters who see tangible development here”.
One MP, Collins Adomako-Mensah, who was forced by the party to delete his post, stresses that the minister’s initiative “represents effective marketing for the region”.
The Member of Parliament for Kwabre, Akwasi Gyamfi Onyina, participated in the event when the AshantiFest trail arrived at his constituency.
The Party’s former DCE and National Youth Organizer hopeful Clement Opoku Gyemfi fully participated inna number of the activities including the Music concert with the KNUST Jama group.
Many NPP members in the Ashanti Region believe that what the minister is doing is against their interest. According to them, the minister’s actions are creating dissatisfaction within the party because, during their eight years in power, they could not implement such initiatives but with just about three months into office the regional minister the minister is sending strong signal to the youth with form the base of the party.
Now that the NDC is in power and their minister is undertaking meaningful initiatives in the NPP’s stronghold, they fear that public support for the NPP will decline and ultimately benefit the NDC in the next election.
Any NPP member who dare tried to introduce politics into the AshantiFest2025 seriously faced verbal abuse from his own party people comparing the party people to bury all their strategic sabotaging intentions against the program.
Source : www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
