According to reports from GhanaWeb, there had been speculation that the attacker was a member of the security team of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate.
However, during an interview with UTV in Kumasi, Agyapong, who previously served as the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, clarified that the assailant was brought to the event by a party figure named Ali Suraj, who is known to be involved in security operations.
Agyapong firmly denied any connection between the attacker and Dr. Bawumia’s official security personnel, stating that he was familiar with those who typically accompany the Vice President on such tours.
He noted that the attacker was only seen in Kumasi and was not part of their previous engagements.
“The one who did the stabbing was brought in by Ali Suraj. In fact, throughout our rounds, I know the security operatives with Dr. Bawumia. Whenever we arrive at event grounds, we exchange pleasantries. It is only in Kumasi that Ali Suraj brought these guys who came and disgraced the party,” Agyapong stated.
When questioned about Ali Suraj’s specific role within the party, Agyapong admitted uncertainty.
He explained that while he had known Suraj from his time in the United States, he seemed to have gained significant influence since returning to Ghana.
Agyapong also pointed out that Suraj had not participated in the earlier phases of the Thank You Tour but unexpectedly became involved during the Kumasi leg.
The stabbing incident occurred on April 29, 2025, in Bantama, Kumasi, during the NPP’s ongoing Thank You Tour.
It followed a confrontation involving a group of muscular men and some students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), who were supporters of Agyapong.
Eyewitnesses said the clash began when the students tried to stop the armed men from seizing money that had been handed to them after the event.
The situation escalated when one student was stabbed in the upper right rib during a struggle.
The students reported that the initial dispute took place inside a hall where party leaders were addressing the crowd.
Tensions intensified when an unidentified person gave the students an unspecified amount of money.
The armed men allegedly attempted to take the cash and threatened them with firearms.
When the students resisted and sought help, the confrontation worsened.
The attackers reportedly fired several warning shots into the air.
Eyewitness accounts described one of the men drawing a weapon, which he later concealed and walked away.
The attackers were said to have spoken in Hausa, and efforts by the students to negotiate led to a partial return of GHC 200, which they considered insufficient.
As the students persisted, one of the assailants pulled out a knife and stabbed a member of their group.
The injured student was initially treated at Suntreso Hospital but was later transferred to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further care.
Medical personnel confirmed that the victim had undergone a minor surgical procedure and was in stable condition.