Gomoa Central MP and outspoken political commentator, Kwame Asare-Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, has alleged that the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration attempted to mute his criticism by offering him a government-linked role — a tactic he says reflects a broader culture of using appointments as tools for silence.
Speaking candidly on Channel One TV’s Upside Down programme on Sunday, May 4, A Plus said the party’s intention became clear shortly after he was assigned a business opportunity involving oil lifting at the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST).
“The job was not just a business opportunity — it was a test of loyalty,” A Plus claimed. “They gave me the job thinking I’d stop criticizing them. But I’ve always said, I prefer speaking the truth over securing personal comfort.”
According to him, the arrangement lasted barely two months before he was dropped for remaining vocal about issues in the NPP-led government. “They expected me to keep quiet because I was ‘eating.’ But nobody told me that was part of the deal,” he said. “I only got paid for one month before they took it away.”
His revelation has reignited public debate about the weaponization of state-linked roles to reward political loyalty and suppress dissent — a practice many civil society groups have criticized for undermining transparency and ethical governance.
A Plus, who has long fashioned himself as a fearless political critic, said the episode reinforced his resolve to speak truth to power, regardless of the consequences.
The interview adds to a growing narrative around how political patronage and behind-the-scenes deals are often used to shape public discourse — particularly among influential critics and opinion leaders.
