President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has addressed the widely circulated ‘Agyapadie’ document for the first time, which is believed to be a master plan of the Akyem faction within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The 38-page document, which lacks a recognized author, prominently features the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, on the cover photo, followed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his father Akufo-Addo on the subsequent page.
Essentially, the book outlines a supposed strategy for complete state capture by influential individuals of Akyem descent, with the goal of establishing the Akyem kingdom as the most dominant in the country.
During The Ghana Report Summit in Accra on Thursday, August 1, 2024, President Akufo-Addo addressed the ‘Agyapadie’ document as one of the fake news stories that have been circulated about him.
He stated that the document was a fabrication by his political opponents aiming to gain political advantage.
“Today, with a few months to the December 2024 election, they are at it again. A fabricated document entitled Agyapadie is being puzzled around by operatives of the opposition, as evidence of a grand scheme by my party to annex the state, the assets of the state,” he said.
The president emphasized that his encounters with fake news highlight the importance of distinguishing truth from falsehood and the necessity for all of us to remain vigilant against the perils of misinformation and disinformation.
About the Agyapadie document:
The document, which was forwarded to the Okyenhene Ofori Panin, contained plans of the Akyem faction to maintain control of the NPP.
In its ‘Table of Contents,’ the book breaks down the various aspects of Ghanaian life that the cabal, dubbed the ‘Akyem Mafia,’ intended to control, making the rest of the country compliant to the dictates of the selected Akyem.
From chieftaincy to the economy, politics, and all aspects of Ghanaian society, the book outlines a detailed plan by the supposed Akyems to establish total dominance and ensure that the running of the country is done at their beck and call.
The book predicts key events in the country, including changes in leadership at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, the collapse of indigenous Ghanaian banks and financial institutions, and the deliberate and conscious positioning of the Okyenhene as the most powerful chieftaincy institution in the country, among others.
In the religious sphere, certain powerful and popular men of God who were seen as opponents of the regime were going to be targeted and destroyed, while those believed to be in favor of the government were going to be supported.
Okyenhene’s reaction:
While officialdom has remained silent on the book and treated it with contempt, the Okyenhene has been compelled to rubbish its relevance following recent claims by some persons, particularly members of the opposition National Democratic Congress.
“We saw this during the period of J.B. Danquah, and we’re seeing this now. In and around October 2016, about a few months before the election, the same document known as the ‘Akyem Project’ was in circulation.
“The focus of that was to fan hatred between Okyeman and Asanteman to undermine the electoral efforts of Nana Akufo-Addo. Unfortunately for them, it came too late to the election.
“This diabolic plan was revised in 2019. In the year 2020, when the Agyapa business became a political issue, the book suddenly metamorphosed into ‘Agyapadie,’” Okyenhene stated during a State Council meeting at Kyebi in the Eastern region.
“Many kingdoms have seen greater development over the years, but some people always have issues whenever the government decides to bring development to Okyeman. I have heard things in recent times. The funniest of it is that I am the richest chief in Ghana. I mean, how? Anyway, when anyone regards you as a rich person, you must receive it. I received it,” Okyenhene said with a smile.
