The youth wing of Ghana's New Patriotic Party (NPP) has formally petitioned the country's National Security apparatus to investigate controversial preacher Owusu Bempah over alleged attacks against lawmaker Ayew Afriyie, according to Modern Ghana.
The move follows statements made by Owusu Bempah that the youth wing says warrant official scrutiny. Reports from GhanaWeb indicate the group has issued an ultimatum demanding that the pastor retract his comments and issue an apology. The NPP Women's Wing has also weighed in, cautioning Owusu Bempah over what it describes as attacks on both Ayew Afriyie and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, with a warning that such conduct "will not be tolerated."
The dispute has drawn in other party figures as well. Asaase Radio reports that the NPP's Ashanti regional youth organiser has separately criticised pastors who turn their pulpits into political platforms, a remark that appears to target religious leaders involved in partisan disputes.
Owusu Bempah, a self-styled prophet known for making politically charged pronouncements, has previously courted controversy with statements about public officials. The current allegations, as summarised by Citi Newsroom, centre on unspecified attack claims made against Ayew Afriyie, a member of parliament and a figure within the ruling party.
The NPP youth wing's decision to escalate the matter to National Security suggests the party is treating the allegations with seriousness, potentially seeking to prevent internal divisions ahead of upcoming political contests. The involvement of multiple party organs—youth, women's, and regional leadership—points to a coordinated response.
What to watch next: whether Owusu Bempah complies with the retraction ultimatum or faces formal security intervention.
