Unconfirmed reports reaching us indicate that Mr Clement Bonsu, popularly known as Paa Cle, a veteran broadcaster and long-standing member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Sunyani East Constituency, may be on his way to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The development, if confirmed, could be significant for the NPP in the constituency, given Mr Bonsu’s longstanding involvement in the party’s communication and campaign activities in Sunyani East and the wider Bono Region.
A source close to Mr Bonsu told this reporter that the veteran communicator has become increasingly dissatisfied with what the source described as his marginalization by some party executives despite his more than two decades of service to the NPP.
According to the source, Mr Bonsu believes that his contributions to the party, particularly through its communication structures and election campaigns, have not been adequately recognised in recent years.
The source further alleged that the regional leadership and executives of the Sunyani East Constituency deliberately removed Mr Bonsu from the party’s communications team, effectively limiting his participation in the party’s activities.
These claims, however, could not independently be verified, and it remains unclear whether Mr Bonsu has formally taken steps to join the NDC.
Veteran communicator
Mr Bonsu, a retired teacher and veteran broadcast journalist, has been associated with the NPP for more than two decades and has played a prominent role in the party’s communication and campaign machinery.
His strong public-speaking skills and experience in radio broadcasting made him a familiar voice in the party’s campaigns, particularly during the administrations of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and subsequent election cycles.
Supporters of Mr Bonsu contend that his contribution to the party went beyond ordinary party activism, arguing that he was instrumental in defending the NPP’s policies and mobilising support for the party on various media platforms.
However, according to the source, his active involvement in the party’s communication team declined significantly from the period leading up to the 2020 general election.
The source said that since then, Mr Bonsu and some other party communicators had been left without clearly defined roles within the constituency’s communication structure.
Failed bid for constituency office
Mr Bonsu’s relationship with the constituency leadership also became a subject of interest when he expressed an intention to contest the position of Deputy Constituency Secretary ahead of the 2020 elections.
According to the source, however, the planned constituency elections did not proceed as expected, with the process eventually producing a new crop of executives.
The source blamed what it described as internal disagreements and alleged imposition of candidates for the party’s poor electoral performance in subsequent years.
The NPP suffered a major setback in the 2024 general election when it lost both the presidential and parliamentary contests in Sunyani East, a constituency traditionally regarded as one of the party’s strongholds in the Bono Region.
Latest setback
Mr Bonsu subsequently sought to return to the centre of the party’s activities by contesting the Sunyani East Constituency Chairmanship in the latest internal elections.
His bid, however, was unsuccessful after he lost to Bartholomew Incoom, leaving questions about his next political move.
It is against this background that reports of his possible move to the NDC have emerged.
A source familiar with the development said Mr Bonsu had become frustrated by what he perceived as a lack of recognition within the NPP and was therefore considering alternatives.
The source, however, did not provide details about any formal engagement between Mr Bonsu and the NDC.
Awaiting confirmation
Efforts to independently confirm whether Mr Bonsu has formally decided to leave the NPP were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
Neither Mr Bonsu nor the leadership of the NPP in the Sunyani East Constituency had publicly confirmed his alleged defection.
Should the reports eventually be confirmed, Mr Bonsu’s departure would add to the continuing political realignments within the Bono Region and could attract considerable attention, particularly because of his long association with the NPP and his previous role as one of the party’s prominent communicators in Sunyani East.
For now, the reported move remains unconfirmed, with political observers awaiting an official statement from Mr. Bonsu on his political future.
