The incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Adansi Asokwa constituency in the Ashanti Region, Kobina Tahir (KT) Hammond, has caused a stir with his violent remarks against his rival, Sammy Binfoh Darkwa, in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries..
Mr Hammond, who won the primary with 311 votes, representing 63.86% of the total valid votes cast, was captured on camera threatening to beat and humiliate Mr Binfoh, who got 125 votes, amounting to 25.67.
He also questioned why one of his supporters, whom he referred to as his child in Twi (meba yi), came to the voting area with a small pistol instead of an AK47 with many bullets, implying that he was ready to use firearms to ‘defend’ his supporters at the voting area.
“But he too [pointing at an unknown person who the camera does not capture] I do not even know what is wrong with him, you have an AK47 with many bullets, you leave it and come around with this small pistol and come and stand watching as they beat these boys,” he said.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, has sparked outrage and condemnation from the public.
Mr Hammond, who is also the Minister of Trade and Industry, said he was provoked by the actions of some macho men, who allegedly attacked his supporters on the eve of the election.
“Binfoh, I am going to make sure he is mercilessly beaten, to pulp. I will humiliate him at the polls and get him beaten,” he said.
“I am just putting you on notice. Get him. Wherever he is, he should leave town quickly. Chief, we have been voting in this town for about 24 years. Nobody provokes the other. Yesterday in the evening, come and see this place. Macho boys beating my boys, hitting them with metals,” he added.
He also vowed to give Mr Binfoh a showdown, both at the polls and physically.
“I say to you commander today I am going to give him a showdown. Two forms of showdown, I will beat him here, I will humiliate him here, and then organise for him to be beaten physically,” he said.
He was then seen holding firmly a police officer and thanking him, while the police tried to calm him down and engage with him.
Mr Hammond, who has been the MP for Adansi Asokwa since 2001, is known for his controversial statements and his influential role within the NPP.