A deepening rift has emerged within the political camp of former Member of Parliament for Tema West and Administrator of the District Assembly Common
A deepening rift has emerged within the political camp of former Member of Parliament for Tema West and Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund, Irene Naa Torshie Addo-Lartey, following reports of her defection from former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team to join the camp of Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, one of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leading presidential aspirants.
The development has sparked confusion, resentment, and open division among Naa Torshie’s long-time aides and loyalists, many of whom have publicly disowned their former boss, accusing her of pursuing personal ambition over party unity.
In a strongly-worded statement signed by Collins Ntim, spokesperson for Team Torshie, and a former deputy Local Government Minister, the group distanced itself from the former Administrator describing her decision as “a deeply personal move driven by self-interest and not the collective good of the NPP.”
The statement said that her defection was influenced by bitterness after being overlooked for the vice-presidential slot under Dr. Bawumia’s ticket.
“It is now clear that her move is a reaction to not being selected as Dr. Bawumia’s running mate. She has chosen to disregard party loyalty and the collective goal for a personal vice-presidential pursuit that we all know is not a viable mission,” the statement read.
According to sources close to the NPP hierarchy, Naa Torshie had long nurtured a desire to serve as Vice President, and her lobbying for the position was well known within party circles.
However, the slot was eventually given to Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the former Energy Minister, a decision said to have left her disappointed.
Following her apparent discontent, media reports emerged suggesting that she had shifted allegiance to Kennedy Agyapong’s camp — a move allegedly inspired by a prophecy delivered by Rev. El-Bernard Nelson-Eshun, a preacher close to the Assin Central legislator.
On October 1, 2025, Rev. El-Bernard declared during a sermon that he had “seen in the spiritual realm a woman being sworn in as the next Vice President,” claiming the revelation was divinely significant because of the number nine — symbolizing Ghana’s ninth Vice President.
Party insiders say the prophecy resonated deeply with Naa Torshie, who was born in September, the ninth month, leading some clergy and campaign operatives to convince her that she was the woman destined to fulfil the revelation.
Sources within the Kennedy Agyapong campaign have confirmed that discussions were held between the two parties, with promises reportedly made to consider Naa Torshie as a potential running mate should Kennedy Agyapong emerge victorious in the party’s presidential primaries.
Adding to the speculation, a photo surfaced on social media last week showing Naa Torshie in the company of Kennedy Agyapong’s senior campaign members — a development many saw as confirmation of her political shift.
This public show of association, however, triggered an immediate backlash among her former aides and supporters within the Dr Mahamudu Bawumia camp.
A group of NPP members in Tema, previously known as Team Torshie, issued a follow-up disclaimer through their spokesperson Nana Yaw Ntim, emphatically stating that they no longer recognize her leadership.
“The decision by the former MP, Irene Naa Torshie, to join another camp is a deeply personal one, driven by individual ambition. Not a single one of her longstanding allies from our team has joined her. This speaks volumes,” the group declared.
The statement further accused the former District Assemblies Common Fund Administrator of betraying party loyalty and ignoring the sacrifices made by her team in supporting Dr. Bawumia’s presidential bid.
“She has abandoned the collective vision we shared for personal glory,” the group added.
The tension between pro-Bawumia and pro-Agyapong factions has intensified, with each side attempting to consolidate grassroots support and regional influence.
As of now, Naa Torshie has not publicly responded to the controversy surrounding her alleged defection.
However, close associates insist that she remains firm in her conviction that she is “divinely ordained” to play a historic role in the leadership, possibly as the nation’s second female Vice President after Professor Jane Naa Opoku-Agyemang.
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