In November 2021, the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, filed a class action suit against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Loudsilence media, Kevin Taylor.
The MP sued for defamation and sought $9.5 million in damages in Virginia State Court.
A fifteen-paged document filed at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia indicated that the suit was influenced by a series of “false and defamatory statements in a series of videos and an email correspondence published by Defendants (Keven Taylor and Loud Silence Media) via Facebook, YouTube, and other social media platforms about Plaintiff”.
But in March 2022, the court dismissed the case, noting that Kennedy Agyapong failed to truly prove that the comments made by Mr Taylor were defamatory
“It is undisputed that Agyapong is a public figure and Taylor’s statements were made regarding matters of public concern. The Amended Complaint does not plead any factual material that demonstrates Taylor’s disputed statements were published with actual malice.
“Therefore, Agyapong has not adequately plead an actionable claim. Further, the Amended Complaint does not plausibly state a claim under the Virginia Computer Crimes Act. For these reasons, the Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint (Dkt. 13) is GRANTED and the above captioned civil action is DISMISSED. The Plaintiff has 60 days to file a Second Amended Complaint if that filing would meet the requirements discussed in this Order,” a part of the ruling by the then presiding judge, Honourable Liam O’Grady read.
In an interview on TV3’s New Day show on Wednesday, the Assin Central MP broke his silence and shared his understanding of the ruling.
According to Mr Agyapong who was unenthused by the ruling, said the court indicated that so far as the subject matter is a public figure, he or she is up for criticism.
“They are saying that once I’m a public figure, he can say whatever he wants. Case closed. That’s all he said. If you are public figure, they can say anything, that’s all,” he said.
However, Mr Agyapong still holds the idea that controversial remarks made by media practitioners will not augur well for the growth of the country.
“I have a problem with sensationalisation which would cause the death of people. Of late, the way bloggers, media people are going about issues, if we don’t take time, it will burn this country.
“You think what Kevin Taylor is doing to the country.. because he is a journalist ,nobody has to say what he is doing is wrong?” he quizzed.
Assin Central MP, and aspiring presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has voiced his opinion with regards to the 10% tax slapped on betting.
He has declared his support for the tax. Speaking in an interview on 3XTRA, he opined that the current 10% tax is insufficient and should be increased.
Tax on betting took effect from Tuesday, August 15, 2023, across the country. This comes after the government amended the Tax Act, therefore, introducing withholding tax on winnings from sports betting and lottery.
Although the Ghana Revenue Authority has stated that it intends to raise about GHC 1.2 million from lottery activities through this tax, the decision has been greeted with fierce rejection.
Ghanaians have condemned the tax and are calling for its withdrawal. Mr Agyapong on the other hand said the move by the government is a step in the right direction.
“The tax is in order and should have been more. In America, if you win a billion dollars lottery, you’ll take home about 6 million dollars. Why? Because it’s free money and it’s taxable,” he said, adding that the government has been charitable for slapping just 10% as tax on betting.
He additionally urged the youth to refrain from engaging in such activities, as they are detrimental to their future prospects.
“Betting is nothing good for your future, that’s why it should be punitive to discourage the young men and women coming up,” he added.
Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has stated that he did not issue any directive for Ahmed Suale to be killed.
Contrarily, he stated that he merely instructed his staff not to permit his presence at any of his business premises since he [Ahmed] is “a bad boy.”
“When I mentioned Ahmed Suale, my workers told me ‘he has been here for money; you gave him money for school fees. You gave him GHC1500 to pay his school fees,’ and I said I don’t know him. Then they said he has been coming here for money.
His own deeds caused his death, not me – Flagbearer hopeful of the NPP, Kennedy Agyapong clears the air on the late Ahmed Suale.#TV3NewDaypic.twitter.com/3O7V8iuBFG
Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Ken Agyapong, has asserted that employment stands as the singular remedy to address Ghana’s multifaceted challenges.
Mr Agyapong’s conviction is grounded in the belief that employment holds the power to significantly transform Ghana’s current landscape.
Speaking on TV3’s NewDay, on Wednesday,August 16, 2023, he noted that: “the only solution to our problems is to create employment for the youth of this country.”
He stated that this is why he has placed job creation as a top priority, and he intends to uphold this priority if elected to office.
“My track record clearly indicates that Ken Agyapong is for the youth. Ken Agyapong is for employment and anybody who does not work in life has no life. So job job job and that’s Ken Agyapong. I want to create jobs for the youth,” he added.
Kennedy Agyapong was Roland Walker’s guest on NewDay on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. During the show they tackled a myriad of issues relating to his political ambition, the New Patriotic Party and issues affecting Ghana.
Among other things, he asserted that politics stands as one of Ghana’s biggest woes. He said politics is destroying the country.
Mr Agyapong noted that politics has polarised the system such that politicians are unable to undertake initiatives that would be advantageous for the country in the long term.
It is against this and other factors that he called on delegates to help him become the flagbearer of the NPP, and subsequently the President of Ghana.
Kennedy Agyapong, a hopeful presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has claimed that the Ministry of Energy owes him money for the supply of streetlights.
He made this revelation in an interview on TV3’s New Day programme on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. He said that he had provided over 2,400 streetlights to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) through his company, Imperial World Ventures.
“Go to EOCO. I have provided streetlights in excess of 2,400. When the manufacturers are shipping, because there can be breakages, they give you extra, and once it is in the name of Ministry of Energy, you can’t take it out. So if you are fortunate and not even one gets broken… I did the supply, and they owe me. The Ministry of Energy owes me,” the Assin Central MP told the host, Roland Walker.
Mr Kennedy Agyapong did not disclose the date of the supply or the amount owed by the Ministry of Energy. He also did not explain why he supplied streetlights to EOCO, which is an anti-corruption agency.
Meanwhile, EOCO has not confirmed receiving any streetlights from Mr Agyapong or his company on its official website or social media platforms.
This is not the first time that Mr Agyapong’s company has been involved in a controversial contract with the Ministry of Energy. In 2018, the ministry awarded a GH¢100 million contract to Imperial World Ventures for the supply of streetlights across the country.
The contract was criticised by some members of the opposition and civil society groups, who accused the ministry of breaching procurement laws and favouring Mr Agyapong’s wife, Stella Wilson Agyapong, who is the owner of Imperial World Ventures.
However, the then Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu, defended the contract on the floor of Parliament, saying that it was awarded through restricted tendering with approval from the Public Procurement Authority and the Central Tender Review Committee.
He said that no law was violated and that Imperial World Ventures was qualified and competent to execute the contract.
Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, has accused the late investigative journalist with Tiger Eye, Ahmed Suale, of attempting to set up Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to Mr Agyapong, Ahmed Suale was a key investigator in Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Tiger Eye team.
Mr Agyapong claims that Ahmed Suale, unlike Anas, never hid his identity or covered his face during investigations.
In an interview on Citi TV’s Face 2 Face show, the MP noted that but for his “exposé” to disclose the faces behind Tiger Eye’s operations on Net 2 TV, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta would have fallen prey to a set up in Dubai.
Kennedy Agyapong in 2018 revealed Ahmed Suale’s identity on national television in an exposé dubbed “Who watches the watchman”, an action many believe led to his assassination.
However, Ken, who has constantly denied such claims, mentioned some of the “dubious” activities Ahmed Suale indulged in that made him a target.
Citing an example of such activity, Mr Agyapong mentioned that the then Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen, warned Mr Ofori-Atta after sighting the MP’s exposé.
Mr Ofori-Atta was allegedly on his way to meet a group of people who, unbeknownst to him, were Ahmed Suale himself and his associates.
Upon his arrival in Dubai, the Finance Minister, Mr Ofori-Atta having been forewarned snubbed Ahmed Suale and his team.
“He was the one who set the Finance Minister and those Finance people up with some renowned lawyer. They never saw Anas’ face. So if I say that this the guy, let me tell you the truth today.
When I showed the face of Ahmed Suale, the Finance Minister was on his way to Dubai to meet them. So the Minister of State, Adu Boahen called him and said I’ve seen this on Net2, this is entrapment.
He actually met them and snubbed them. They didn’t know it was Anas until I showed the face and connected Ahmed Suale to Anas,” he narrated.
According to Mr Agyapong, Ahmed Suale did not work with truth and integrity in his line of work.
NPP Presidential Aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong has clarified his 'beat him up' comment aimed at late Investigative Journalist Ahmed Suale.
On January 16, 2019, Ahmed Hussein-Suale was shot dead near his family home in Accra.
His family holds the assertion that Ahmed was assassinated because of his work. Mr Agyapong was deemed a suspect by the public after he disclosed the identity of the journalist.
It has been four years, and the Police are yet to find the culprits of the unlawful acts.
According to Kennedy Agyapong, Ahmed Suale was sloppy in his line of work while alive.
Mr Agyapong explained that unlike his senior colleague Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Ahmed Suale failed to protect his identity.
This, he said made him susceptible to any form of attack by the people he embarrassed.
The Assin Central MP said: “You know Ahmed Suale’s problem, may his soul rest in peace. He made a lot of mistakes.
All the investigations Anas did, Anas never showed up with his face. Ahmed Suale showed his face. So all the people Anas embarrassed in this country, it was Ahmed Suale who set them up.”
Flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ken Agyapong, has shed light on a remark made by a minister that made him question the said appointee’s competence.
According to the Assin Central MP, while having a dialogue on irrigation and its great impact on Ghana’s agricultural sector, the said minister, whose identity he withheld, made a shocking comment during a meeting at Koforidua.
Prior to the baffling comment, Mr Ken Agyapong said he had praised some squatters around the plains close to Tema-Ashaiman road who had use water from a drainage system to create an irrigation system to grow maize.
“We went to Koforidua for a meeting and I told one Minister that when you cross Tema tollbooth here, just look at the right, the squatters using these pipes for irrigation. The vegetables. Because there is this big gutter they can collect water, 365 days, the (squatters) are growing maize. So we have to irrigate most of our lands in this country,” he recounted.
After pitching the idea of spreading the use of irrigation across the country, the response made by the unknown male minister, Mr Agyapong said, left him shell-schocked.
The male minister is said to have stated that “irrigation is expensive.”
This comment got the Assin Central MP to exclaim “Jesus Christ”.
According to Mr Agyapong, he just packed his files and left.
For the flagbearer hopeful, the Minister’s remarks indicated to him that the measures being put in place to grow the agric sector are for the short term.
“That person who said irrigation is expensive is thinking of the short run and not long run effect,” he said.
Mr Ken Agyapong made this revelation during an interview on TV3’s New Day with host, Roland Walker, on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.
Irrigation
Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land or soil to assist in the growth of crops and vegetation.
It is a critical agricultural practice that involves the controlled distribution of water to plants through various methods such as ditches, pipes, sprinklers, or even by hand.
The primary goal of irrigation is to supplement natural rainfall and provide plants with the water they need to thrive, especially in regions where rainfall is insufficient or unreliable.
Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, has asserted that politics stands as one of Ghana’s biggest woes.
He said politics is destroying the country.
Speaking in an interview on TV3 NewDay, he noted that politics has polarised the system such that politicians are unable to undertake initiatives that would be advantageous for the country in the long term.
He recounted a recent visit to the Volta Region during which he observed that the area possesses extensive untapped land resources. However, he remarked that the region’s leaders have not yet exploited this potential land to its fullest extent.
“I had the opportunity to go round 13 regions and when I got to Volta, I was shocked. The land, water bodies, are all lying there untapped but we can use them to do a lot.
“The land in Volta is more suitable for cassava and sugar cane and I questioned if we even have leaders in Ghana,” he said.
He said if elected, he would ensure that these resources are well utilised if given the nod.
Member of Parliament for Assin Central and NPP Flagbearer hopeful has revealed that President Akufo-Addo has regretted dismissing former deputy Finance Minister Charles Adu Boahen.
According to Kennedy Agyapong, Anas Aremeyaw Anas style of investigative journalist is but a complete entrapment of which Charles Adu Boahen was a victim.
The Assin North lawmaker made these remarks in an interview with CitiFM/CitiTV’s Omaru Sanda Amadu on August 15, 2023.
Mr Agyapong added that the President after being made fully aware of the details of Anas’ investigation has withdrawn the infamous statement of using Anas’ style to fish out and deal with corrupt officials when he’s President.
On other matters, Kennedy Agyapong, has clarified his role in pressuring businessman Ibrahim Mahama to settle customs duties amounting to about 14 million cedis in 2017.
Agyapong had made a statement earlier that year on live TV, claiming that he would “commit suicide if Mahama is not jailed.” He alleged that Mahama’s company had evaded duties during the importation of their machinery.
Asked about his suicide threat and Ibrahim Mahama’s freedom, Agyapong maintained that Ibrahim is corrupt. He revealed that he confronted Ibrahim about his alleged duty evasion, which led to Ibrahim paying 14 million Ghana cedis in duties.
During his interview on Citi TV on August 15, 2023, Agyapong also claimed that when he was preparing to expose Ibrahim Mahama, influential chiefs and politicians were pleading on his behalf, allowing him to avoid further consequences.
This article was first published in “December 2013.”
A decade ago, New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, noted that he would only part ways with the party on one condition.
Only after he has retrieved all the money owed him by the party over the 2012 general election will he bid farewell.
He made this statement at a time when Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, who called for a change in the party leadership, had been summoned before the highest advisory body in the party for questioning.
One Iddrisu Musah Superior in a Facebook post, raised concern over the party leadership’s inability to question the Assin Central MP.
The activist and patriot of the NPP based in the United Kingdom said it would come across as unfair should Mr Agyapong not be sanctioned.
In response, Mr Agyapong noted that the party Elders would be “sorry” should they invite him for questioning.
“I have not had any invitation, but if they start with that, they (the party Elders) would be sorry because I just spoke to my partner in China…who are those calling me? I will not honour the call of any of the National Executives. I want neutral people…. What would happen if I leave the party?…I will ensure I recover my monies before I leave”.
“…tell them, if they are listening. They should make $1 million ready before they call me or else, I will not mind them…if they joke with me, they will see what I’ll do to them,” he further warned.
He, however, said “I am ready to leave the party,” but noted that “I’ll reclaim my money before I leave” lest his business get destroyed.
The NPP stalwart made these statements in an interview on NEAT FM.
As the political arena heats up in Ghana, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, who has a history of contentious statements and actions, has stepped into the spotlight as he embarks on his flagbearership campaign, in preparation for the upcoming Presidential primaries.
Despite the enthusiasm and confidence in becoming the next flagbearer and subsequently assuming the role of the President of the nation, the weight of his past actions, often labeled as ‘sins,’ threatens to overshadow his aspirations.
The MP has gained notoriety for his provocative statements. He has consistently been at the center of various controversies, stirring up debates and attracting both support and criticism for his outspoken views. In this piece, The Independent Ghana highlights ‘7 past ‘sins’ of Kennedy Agyapong’ which is likely to haunt his political career.
Firstly, ‘Kill Ewes statement’: Mr Agyapong is reported to have fueled tribalism by declaring war on all Ewes living in the Ashanti region by inciting NPP activists in the region to attack Ewes with machetes and cutlasses. Despite his attempts at providing clarifications, this incident appears to be one that Ghanaians may find difficult to forgive him for.
Ahmed Suale’s death: Ahmed Hussein Suale was an investigative journalist who died on Wednesday, 16 January 2019. He was killed by unidentified men on motorbikes who shot him three times, twice in the chest and once in his neck in his vehicle. Prior to his demise, Mr Agyapong had publicly attacked Mr Suale on his media platforms.
The legislator had shown a photo of the undercover journalist on TV, disclosed his place of residence and made comments that suggested that Ahmed was a ‘bad boy’ and anyone who sees him could be aggressive towards him. When Ahmed was eventually murdered by unknown gunmen months later, Mr Agyapong became one of the first to be accused of complicity in the incident.
Leaking Afia Schwarzenegger: The MP in 2016 threatened to leak the nude photos of Ghanaian socialite Afia Schwarzenegger. Speaking on Oman FM’s Boiling Point, he said that he was going to release Afia Schwarzenegger’s naked pictures the following week.
Death of Former MP J. B Dankwah: Hon. JB Danquah was murdered in his home on 9th February 2016 at Shiashie in Accra. He was the MP for Abuakwa North on the ticket of NPP. Daniel Asiedu aka Sexy Don Don, the main suspect in the murder of the former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu later confessed to the crime.
Daniel in his confession mentioned the names of those who hired him to end the life of the late JB Danquah. Hon Kennedy Agyapong was mentioned as having a hand in the contract killing of the former MP by the suspect Sexy Don Don. The MP has since been fighting for his reputation by denying the claims.
Attacks on Anas: Ken Agyapong has never seen eye-to-eye with Anas Aremeyaw Anas arguing repeatedly that the modus operandi of the journalist was unethical and dangerous. A number of Anas’ projects notably ‘In The Eyes of God’ – about judicial corruption, ‘Number 12’ – about corruption in Ghana football and particularly Galamsey Fraud expose, only upped the ante relative to attacks from the lawmaker.
It was with the galamsey piece that Agyapong dragged Anas’ boss Kweku Baako Jnr, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading GUIDE into the picture, relative to attacks and accusations of corruption and complicity in galamsey. Baako eventually won a defamation suit against Agyapong when an Accra High Court awarded him GHC130,000 in damages, way below the GHC25 million he had sought.
However, in a recent development, Anas also dragged Mr Agyapong to court in a defamation suit, which the investigative journalist lost.
NPP is useless comment: The MP has been actively involved in critiquing his own party, occasionally resorting to hurling insults at some party members. Mr Agyapong who has put a tag on himself as chief financier of the NPP, therefore, does whatever pleases him, has previously (in 2015) described the party as “useless” and members as “stupid, fools and idiots.” This statement incurred the wrath of many in the party and appears to be one of the ‘unforgivable sins’ committed by the now aspiring Presidential candidate.
Attack on Churches: Like most Ghanaians, he believes in the existence of a supreme being who created heaven and earth, however, what he abhors is the manner in which some people practice their faith. He is convinced that while some genuine pastors exist, there are charlatans who parade as men of God and have majored in fleecing unsuspecting people of their monies. He has thus taken it upon himself to campaign against such persons.
Mr Agyapong in recent past years waged a strong campaign against some popular pastors in the country of which Head Pastor of the International God’s Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim, fell victim. Kennedy Agyapong who said he was on a mission to expose fake pastors who have taken advantage of innocent Ghanaians and are living lavishly off their sweat, ensured the arrest of Mr Obinim.
Mr Obinim was charged with the offences of publication of false news and forgery of documents contrary to sections 208 and 159 of the Criminal and other offences Act, (1960) (ACT 29) respectively. The MP who says he is still not happy with developments in the religious space, has vowed to renew his attack on the so-called men of God.
Despite these ‘sins’ Mr Agyapong remains resolute in his quest to become the next leader of the party. Will he be forgiven by the party or will he face potential repercussions for his actions? Well, time will tell.
Assin Central Member of Parliament and flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has declared himself as one of the richest and untouchable members of the NPP.
He is currently on a campaign tour, touting himself as the best candidate to lead the NPP citing his historical monetary and material contributions to the party.
He told delegates and party faithful during his Western Regional campaign stop that he had become fearless because of his wealth, which he had used a considerable amount of to help the party over the years.
“At this stage in my life, I will never be poor till I die. I have home sense, I will never go hungry. I won’t let anyone scare you in this region, we are not afraid of anyone,” he stressed.
“I don’t fear anyone (in this party), you know why? Because I got dough, I got dough,” he stressed whiles gesturing with his hand on his trouser pocket. The claim and gesture elicited lots of cheers from the gathering.
He tasked delegates on the need to not fear anyone in the party who is trying to whip them to support a particular candidate.
“Regional executives are being whipped, I have given 26 pickups to this region, all the 10 contestants, which of them has donated even a car tyre to this region. Come on, you should wake up. Why are you afraid?
“Why are you afraid, those whipping you into a certain line, which candidate can say they care for the Western Region than myself, Kennedy Agyapong?” he told a charged crowd.
Agyapong will contest for the flagbearership slot along with nine other contenders including former trade minister Alan Kyerematen and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who are seen as his main challengers.
The NPP will slash the 10 candidates, who passed the vetting stage, down to five in a preliminary vote (set for August) before the main contest is held in November 2023 to elect a successor to president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as leader of the party.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, has praised his contender, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for his strategic thinking and leadership qualities.
The Assin Central MP said he has immense respect for the Vice President, who heads the government’s economic management team and has implemented various policies and initiatives to boost the country’s growth and development.
“I have the utmost respect for Vice President Bawumia and his strategic thinking. He has demonstrated time and again his ability to effectively strategise for the benefit of the party and the country as a whole,” he said.
Mr Kennedy Agyapong made these remarks during an interview on Home Radio in the Upper West Region, where he also clarified some statements he made earlier about the government’s decision to seek budgetary support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He explained that his comments were not aimed at criticising the Vice President, but rather a colleague in Parliament who had questioned the government’s strategic approach.
“The truth hurts…so you are the victim, and I am educating you, and you think I’m hitting back? You see, they are not being fair. I did not hit the Vice President but I hit one MP because he said, ‘We don’t want somebody who will come and say that I have done this and that for the party and Ghana, but we want a strategist,’” Mr Agyapong added.
He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the depreciation of the cedi, saying it had cost him over $20 million in five months.
Ghana has recently secured a $3 billion loan from the IMF after China agreed to a debt restructuring deal. The IMF approved the loan based on the government’s Post-COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG), which aims to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability and includes wide-ranging reforms to build resilience and lay the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth.
The IMF’s decision will release $600 million immediately and will be welcomed by other countries struggling to deal with their debt woes.
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has had his presidential candidacy questioned over alleged lack of development in Assin Central Constituency.
On July 22, one Twitter user @Shugah12840248 accused the Assin Central MP of failing to provide development to his constituents. According to the said individual, it is unacceptable for Mr Kennedy Agyapong to dream of governing an entire country based on his assertion that he has not been able to carry out his duty as an MP.
He or she wrote: “Have you developed your constituency before talking about developing Ghana as a country?”
The statement garnered some response which opposed the assertion that the people of Assin North have not benefited from Mr Agyapong.
One Kwabena Holman said: “Are you in Ghana? Go there and see.” Another user, Christine Mitchell wrote: “pls you don’t know anything about this man….He is the only MP who has create jobs in his constituency.”
As part of his campaign promises, , Kennedy Agyapong pledged to generate electricity from sawdust in the Bia East Constituency of the Western North Region if given the mandate of Ghanaians to be President.
Camp of New Patriotic Party (NPP) has threatened to exit the party if it proceeds with its decision to decentralise the upcoming congress.
Head of communication for the Assin Central MP,Kennedy Agyapong‘s campaign team, William Kusi, has cautioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) not to decentralize its upcoming super delegates congress with the intention of reducing the number of presidential hopefuls from ten to five.
He stated that the majority of the ten presidential hopefuls, specifically nine of them, prefer the congress to be centralized (held at a single location). Thus, deviating from this preference may lead to unfavorable outcomes.
Lawyer Kusi, who made these remarks in an interview on Akoma FM, on Thursday, July 20, 2023, added that it is likely that eight of the presidential hopefuls would leave the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to form another political party should the congress be centralised.
“They may be shocked at what would happen after that decision. It is either we agree with them to go on with the decentralized elections. . “Or we would tell them to take their elections and we would organise our own elections… they (the eight contenders) would form their own party to contest in the election,” he said in Twi.
The lawyer refuted the assertion that the 8 contenders would be responsible for the collapse of the NPP should they decide to form their own party.
“It is the executives that are breaking the NPP. Let us use common sense, we are part of a group of ten. Nine out of the ten went to go in a certain direction but you insist on the other direction, are you not the one breaking up the party?” he quizzed.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, has announced it will conduct its super delegates congress at the regional level.
This will be in line with the 2014 edition where it was held along regional lines as part of measures to prune the number of aspirants down to five for the main contest slated for November 2023.
The party’s scribe told Metro TV in a brief interaction at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, where representatives of some flagbearer hopefuls had attended a crunch meeting over the matter; that all parties were satisfied with the decision.
“The party has taken a firm decision with respect to the presidential primaries, where we are going to hold it and also one or two issues that came up. We have been able to resolve it.
“We are going to do it (the super delegates voting) at the regional level. Across 16 regions, same as occurred in 2014,” JFK told Paul Adom-Otchere.
Head of communication forKennedy Agyapong‘s campaign team, William Kusi, has cautioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) not to decentralize its upcoming super delegates congress with the intention of reducing the number of presidential hopefuls from ten to five.
He stated that the majority of the ten presidential hopefuls, specifically nine of them, prefer the congress to be centralized (held at a single location). Thus, deviating from this preference may lead to unfavorable outcomes.
Lawyer Kusi, who made these remarks in an interview on Akoma FM, on Thursday, July 20, 2023, added that it is likely that eight of the presidential hopefuls would leave the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to form another political party should the congress be centralised.
“They may be shocked at what would happen after that decision. It is either we agree with them to go on with the decentralized elections. . “Or we would tell them to take their elections and we would organise our own elections… they (the eight contenders) would form their own party to contest in the election,” he said in Twi.
The lawyer refuted the assertion that the 8 contenders would be responsible for the collapse of the NPP should they decide to form their own party.
“It is the executives that are breaking the NPP. Let us use common sense, we are part of a group of ten. Nine out of the ten went to go in a certain direction but you insist on the other direction, are you not the one breaking up the party?” he quizzed.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, has announced it will conduct its super delegates congress at the regional level.
This will be in line with the 2014 edition where it was held along regional lines as part of measures to prune the number of aspirants down to five for the main contest slated for November 2023.
The party’s scribe told Metro TV in a brief interaction at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, where representatives of some flagbearer hopefuls had attended a crunch meeting over the matter; that all parties were satisfied with the decision.
“The party has taken a firm decision with respect to the presidential primaries, where we are going to hold it and also one or two issues that came up. We have been able to resolve it.
“We are going to do it (the super delegates voting) at the regional level. Across 16 regions, same as occurred in 2014,” JFK told Paul Adom-Otchere.
Former Director of Communication of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Adomako Baafi, Adomako Baafi, has weighed in on recent attacks on Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia launched by the Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong.
Mr Adomoako Baafi believes the attacks by Mr Agyapong are being launched out of desperation.
“If you’re competing with someone and he becomes desperate, you can easily detect from their speech,” he said.
The astute politician was responding to a question posed by a presenter on Rajab media when he made the claims.
The presenter has referred him to recent comments by the Assin Central MP, suggesting that the Vice President who is the second in command of the current administration has been touting himself as a strategist, yet, Ghana has been dragged to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout under the leadership of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led government.
“They go about claiming to be strategists; strategist is what has brought us here today. Ghana is the only place that those who send the country to the IMF claim to be strategists.
“For someone who claims to be a strategist, the dollar was GHC4 equivalent when we took power today the dollar is GHC12. You think you are a strategist? Excuse me, strategist! Please,” he said.
In response to these claims, Mr Baafi who described the Vice President as a “unifier” said Dr Bawumia’s team is unperturbed by such comments and would not respond to them.
“Bawumia has never insulted anybody. He is someone who loves people,” he said.
He further expressed strong optimism and the hope that Mr Agyapong will soon join Dr Bawumia’s team.
Kennedy Agyapong is attacking Bawumia out of desperation – Adomako Baafi
“ Bawumia is a unifier. So, if he has been able to add people like Kofi John, Opare Ansah and the likes to his campaign, it would not be difficult for him to at the end of the day add Ken,” he said in Twi.
The former NPP communications boss added that there is no need for Bawumia’s team to reply to the attacks coming from Ken Agyapong’s team because the vice president is going to win the flagbearership race.
Ten people would be contesting in the NPP presidential primaries which is slated for August and November 2023.
A super delegate conference would be held in August 2023 to reduce the number of contenders to five while the primaries proper would be held in November 2023 to choose the party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.
The ten candidates include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; a former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen; Kwadwo Poku, an energy expert; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey; a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; a former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; a former MP for Offinso North, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; and a former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.
Western Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has criticised his colleague and Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong.
The minister accused Agyapong, a candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership, of being selfish and unfair in his attacks on the administration and another NPP candidate, Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia.
The minister defended Bawumia from a withering attack by Ken Agyapong, who recently blamed Bawumia for Ghana’s economic troubles, in an interview on Takoradi-based Radio 360 on Monday (July 17).
Darko-Mensah argued that COVID was to blame for the economic downturn, and that fact has been confirmed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is currently bailing out Ghana.
“..we were all in the country when COVID broke. Were you the one who manufactured COVID? Even the IMF who are giving us a bailout said we (NPP) did not create the problem, as our economic challenges are as a result of COVID,” he stressed.
Additionally, Darko-Mensah pointed out that take-or-pay energy-sector contracts, signed during the previous government’s tenure, contributed significantly to the economic challenges. He questioned the relevance of such contracts to Dr. Bawumia, himself, or Ken Ofori-Atta’s decision to seek assistance from the IMF.
Regarding Kennedy Agyapong, Darko-Mensah highlighted that the MP has been a major recipient of government contracts for several years. He suggested that Agyapong should consider returning those contracts and refrain from accepting any new ones due to the current economic challenges faced by the country.
“Ghana is a member of the IMF and they have given us some assistance during COVID. Since Ghana went to the IMF the cedi is stabilising …what intrigues me however is, between you and I, we all know one of the biggest government contractors is the man you are talking about (Kennedy Agyapong).
“When things were bad and he was benefitting, that was right, but now that he wants to be a presidential candidate, he has forgotten about all those benefits he derived and wants us to forget about all that?
“Then he should reverse (sic) all those contracts he earned and hand it to others and say because Ghana is now back to the IMF, I will not take any government contract again. If he continues like that then technically you want to act like a greedy person who wants to benefit both ways.
“If he wants to find someone to blame for Ghana going to IMF, why won’t he also along the lines of equity say that he will not take any of the contracts he is taking during this IMF period? He is just misleading people and it needs to be straightened,” the minister added.
Member of Parliament for Efiduase and leader of Dr. Bawumia’s faction, Nana Ayew Afriyie, has asserted that Kennedy Agyapong is directing his criticism towards the wrong individual concerning Ghana’s re-engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Afriyie emphasized that targeting Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on matters related to Ghana’s return to the IMF is unwarranted.
The Member of Parliament clarified that any matters pertaining to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the country’s economic challenges should be directed towards the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
He also added that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is a strategist because of how he was able to bounce back from cleaning dormitories, driving cabs and doing other menial jobs to become the person he is now.
“I will say that he should direct it to the Minister of Finance and when he (Bawumia) is in charge, he will take charge and take us to the promised land. We are going to the promised land. DMB is taking us there. …He (Agyapong) should attack the finance minister not him (Bawumia),” Nana Ayew Afriyie told TV3.
“He shared his experiences. When he used to clean to go to school to pay his fees; drive taxis, cabs. So, any person can be president one day. Any person’s child, regardless of where you are in this country, there is an opportunity for you to be where you have to be,” he added.
Background:
An NPP flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong fired shots at the campaign team of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Speaking to delegates of the NPP in the Kintampo East Constituency as part of an ongoing campaign, the Assin Central MP sent a strong warning to the camp of the vice president noting that he will go on full offensive if the personal attacks directed at him do not cease.
“If NPP people don’t engage in a clean campaign, they will be in trouble because I will reply when you say something.
“For someone who claims to be a strategist, the dollar was GHC4 equivalent when we took power. Today, the dollar is GHC12. Do you think you are a strategist? Excuse me, strategist! Please,” Kennedy said.
A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has highlighted some of the businesses he owns while criticizing his opponents who are affiliated with the government.
Agyapong stated that he has provided employment to thousands of Ghanaians through his various businesses. While he did not mention any specific names, he compared himself to his opponents, presumably including Vice President Dr. Bawumia, stating that he sees himself as more of a strategist than the head of the Economic Management team.
During one of his campaign tours, Agyapong emphasized his contributions, stating, “Through my Steel Plant, I will employ thousands of workers in the coming months. I possess the largest Cold Store in the entire Africa.
In contrast, you rely on government payments, including salaries for your household staff and security personnel, and reside in government-provided accommodations.”
“But I pay 7158 workers every month in this country. So, between the two of us who is the strategist? This is internal politics and so we shouldn’t be dirty but if they attack me, I will reply,” he added.
Kennedy Agyapong also recounted how he lost the value of his money due to the Cedi’s depreciation.
He added that the Vice President cannot call himself a strategist when he took over when the cedi was selling at GH¢4 but its selling at GH¢12.
“We will have troubles if we don’t do a clean campaign because I will reply to every claim made against me. You call yourself a strategist but when we were taking over power the Dollar was 4 Cedis, today One Dollar is Twelve Cedis and yet you call yourself a strategist.
“In March 2022 I had 40 million Dollars in Cedi equivalent, in August 2022 the value of the 40 million dollars had dropped to 16 million,” he stated.
Member of Parliament for Assin Central constituency, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, and a potential New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, declined to participate in interviews after his appearance before the presidential aspirants’ vetting committee.
He did not indicate his reasons but he was heard telling the journalists that there would be “no interview.” He emphasised this by shaking his head and making hand gestures while he made his way out of the vetting hall.
The incident occurred on July 4, 2023, the second day of the vetting process, when Kennedy Agyapong, accompanied by a multitude of enthusiastic supporters amid fanfare went to the party’s headquarters in Accra.
Some individuals around him echoed his sentiment, reinforcing his decision not to engage with the media by repeating “he said no interview”
The National Presidential Vetting Committee, chaired by Evans Nimako, announced the commencement of the vetting process for NPP presidential aspirants. The process, which began on July 3 and is set to continue until July 6, aims to evaluate the visions, policies, and plans of the candidates for the country’s development.
On the first day of the vetting, July 3, three aspirants were vetted by the committee. These included Alan John Kyerematen, former Minister for Trade and Industry, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and Kwadwo Poku.
The second day, July 4, was scheduled for the vetting of three more candidates: Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, former Energy Minister, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former NPP General Secretary, and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong himself.
The vetting process will continue on July 5 and 6 for the remaining candidates who will have the opportunity to present their visions and plans to the committee. However, after the first round of vetting, only five aspirants will advance to the next stage.
The NPP’s presidential primary election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2023, where the party will ultimately select its flagbearer for the upcoming general elections.
Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, confidently declares his forthcoming triumph in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearership race.
Agyapong is seen by analysts as a frontrunner in the race, along with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former trade minister Alan Kyerematen.
“I am going to win the NPP presidential race,” the Ken City Media CEO tweeted on July 1, 2023.
Aside Ken, Bawumia and Alan; there are seven other aspirants in addition to the three. The party on June 30 inuagurated a committee led by former Speaker of Parliament, Mike Oquaye to vet the aspirants in the coming week.
It is largely expected that if all 10 aspirants pass the vetting stage, a preliminary election to whittle down the number to five will take place before the main election is held in November this year.
Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, has asserted that the Assin North constituency will not see any development under the leadership of Gyakye Quayson, especially with President Akufo-Addo still in office.
Addressing Assin North Constituents ahead of the by-election scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, 2023, he contended that Gyakye Quayson cannot facilitate any development in the area for two reasons: since he is standing trial over his Canadian citizenship brouhaha and also because President Akufo-Addo is still in power.
“President Akufo-Addo is still the President and will remain the President for the next 18 months so if you make a mistake to vote for Gyakye Quayson you’ll experience two things; first he’s standing trial in and cannot report to Parliament and the Constituency frequently and secondly, he doesn’t have any direct access to the President to fight for or implement developmental projects,” Mr Agyapong told the Constituents.
He, therefore, entreated the gathering to vote for the NPP since voting for the NDC will only be a waste of votes.
Assin North is gearing up for a by-election scheduled for June 27, 2023, following a court ruling that Parliament should expunge the records of Mr Gyakye Quayson from its records.
Mr Quayson has been dragged to Court over claims he bears a Canadian citizenship in addition to his Ghanaian citizenship. This is against the laws of the state since the Constituency clearly prohibits persons who intend to contest in any national election from holding dual citizenship.
As it stands now, his fate is yet to be decided by the Court, however, he is optimistic his Constituents will re-elect him to represent them in Parliament.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central and flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has vowed to combat the issue of unemployment in Ghana if elected as the party’s flagbearer and subsequently as the President of the country.
He made these statements during the filing of his nomination at the party’s headquarters on June 21, 2023.
According to him, the menace of unemployment is a longstanding challenge faced by the government and successive governments, and he is determined to reduce the unemployment rate significantly.
“As a member of parliament for the past twenty-three years, I want to admit that the challenge of the government and governments has been unemployment. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to make sure I reduce the unemployment rate in this country. I want everybody to believe in me, those of you watching to believe in me that whatever I say by the grace of God and with good health, I deliver,” he said.
The flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong continued that job creation, especially for the youth of the country is a key problem that needs immediate attention to move the country forward.
“From the experience of the twenty-three years as a politician and as a parliamentarian one key problem as I said I have identified. To move this country forward; we need to make sure that we create job opportunities specifically for the youth,” he added.
Kennedy Agyapong’s nomination filing adds him to the list of six candidates who have filed for the NPP flagbearer position out of the eleven individuals who picked the nomination forms.
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Minister for Food and Agriculture, former Minister for Trade and Industries, Alan Kyeremanteng, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Minister for Energy, Boakye Agyarko, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku and former Geberal Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyapong are among the candidates who have also submitted their nominations.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) opened nomination on May 26, 2023, with aspirants given up to June 24, 2023, to submit forms.
A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has said that one of the easiest things he will do is to sack people who do anything that goes against the country, no matter how close they are to him in power.
He explained that, in the instance he becomes the president of Ghana, even if his chief of staff misbehaves, he would not hesitate to have him sacked.
Speaking at the NPP Headquarters in Accra after he had filed his nomination forms, the flagbearer hopeful, who is also the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, stressed that it is the only way to imbibe discipline in the populace.
“I believe in accountability, I’m sorry. If God gives me the nod, he’ll be a chief of staff, but one strike, he’s out. Ghana first, he comes second. If he does anything against this country, I’ll fire him. That is the only way we can move this country.
“So, can you imagine if I’ve fired my chief of staff, the rest will sit up because even the chief of staff fired, then what about me the director, what about me the manager? It trickles down, and we’ll become disciplined. Discipline is key to the success of this country,” he said.
Kennedy Agyapong is among a number leading New Patriotic Party (NPP) members who have so far submitted their forms to lead the party as its presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections.
Supporters of Ken Agyapong have thronged the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) headquarters in Asylum Down as he files his nomination forms today, Wednesday June 21, 2023.
The crowd joined the outspoken MP to proudly display placards bearing the inscription “Ken Ohene Agyapong for President 2024,” while jubilantly singing and dancing.
Radiating confidence, Kennedy Agyapong donned a striking white ensemble and graciously acknowledged the enthusiastic crowd by waving in their direction.
So far the flagbearers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who have filed their nomination forms include; Former General Secretary of NPP,Kwabena Agyapong, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Trades Minister Alan Kyerematen, former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko, Dr. Konadu Apraku, and former Agric Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto.
The NPP will elect a flagbearer ahead of the 2024 elections on November 4, 2023.
However, because more than five candidates have filed to run in the primaries, the party will call a Special Congress on August 26.
Renowned Ghanaian actor, Kofi Adu, popularly known in showbiz as Agya Koo, has publicly expressed his support for the presidential ambitions of Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.
Agya Koo, known for his influential roles in the Ghanaian film industry, has praised Agyapong’s leadership qualities and believes that his vision aligns with the future prosperity of the nation.
In an interview on YouTube Channel Official.AgyaKoo, the actor disclosed that his interactions with the Assin Central MP have shown him that the latter genuinely cares about the country. Agya Koo believes Mr Agyapong’s vision aligns with the future prosperity of the nation.
Agya Koo (L) Ken Agyapong (R)
Speaking in the local parlance as he usually does, Agya Koo said, “During my engagements with Ken Agyapong, I realized that he is not seeking power to come and loot the country’s resources. Rather, he wants to leave a legacy as a businessman who made an impact in his country.”
Kennedy Agypaong, all things being equal, will be contesting in the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearership race scheduled for November 4, 2023.
Mr Agyapong will be contesting with the likes of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Former Trades Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, who was the first to pick the form, a former NPP General Secretary and presidential spokesperson, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh; a former Minister of State, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, and a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, among others.
Among the 10 candidates who have so far picked their nomination forms, Agya Koo, known for his influential roles in the Ghanaian film industry, believes Mr Agyapong is Ghana’s best bet when it comes to the next leader of the country.
He praised Mr Agyapong’s leadership qualities, commending him for the numerous jobs he has created for the people of the country.
The actor also praised Agyapong’s track record as a dedicated legislator who fearlessly champions the interests of the Ghanaian people.
“He has opened and is still opening a lot of businesses and employing people as well. He has also supported a number of development projects,” he said.
In the interview, Agya Koo passionately endorsed Agyapong’s bid for the presidency, highlighting his unwavering commitment to the development and progress of Ghana.
The actor praised Agyapong’s track record as a dedicated legislator who fearlessly champions the interests of the Ghanaian people. He thus appealed to Ghanaians, especially NPP delegates, to support Mr Agyapong.
This is not the first time Agya Koo has thrown his weight behind a presidential aspirant.
He was a keen campaigner for President Akufo-Addo when he was still nurturing his hopes and dreams of becoming a president in 2016 and 2022.
Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Suame has lauded the generous spirit of fellow lawmaker Kennedy Ohene Agyapong citing his assistance to the Suame Constituency when they were in dire straits.
The Majority Leader narrated how two first schools built in the Suame area came to fruition because of Ken’s support by way of an interest-free loan that he advanced to the constituency.
Speaking at a flagbearership campaign stop of Ken at Suame over the weekend, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said: “Many testify to the goodness that Ken Agyapong has done and continues to do. We the people of Suame have been a beneficiary of Agyapong’s generosity.”
He narrated how Suame had been given school projects from the central government but monies had yet to be disbursed at a time times were hard financially. The two schools were Nuru Islamic Basic School and a six-classroom Suame Methodist block.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu recalled selling his car to raise some money for the first project when funds dried up, he discussed the challenge with Ken, he told the gathering.
“He asked how much money was needed and I said two hundred million at the time but about 20,000 cedis today, the following morning Ken called me and advanced us the 200 million to put into the project.
“I gave 100 million to my chairman to start work, we were lucky to receive the funds for Nuru Islamic project so I asked my chairman to use that to continue the Methodist school project.
“I returned the first 100 million to Ken and later when other payments came in, I reimbursed him the other part. Without his intervention, we would have failed to complete the 6-classroom block,” he stressed.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is currently outgoing MP for Suame, being the longest serving lawmaker in the House, he is, however, supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in the New Patriotic Party race.
On the registration papers of the Ghana National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Eric Okyere Darko, a member of Kennedy Agyapong’s legal team and Member of Parliament for Assin Central, is listed as a trustee.
This was revealed by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Abkakwa in his May 2 revelations on the registration processes of the project in the United States.
The MP stated in his social media post that per his checks, the registration details of the project in Ghana was different from what he got from that of the US.
Also, whiles eminent clergymen were dominant on the Board of Trustees in Ghana registration papers, in the case of the US, there were three persons.
The only common personality on both sides being Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, the Executive Secretary to the National Cathedral of Ghana project.
What Ablakwa said of the other two US governors
Mr. Eric Okyere Darko was appointed to the Board of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) by President Akufo-Addo and sworn in by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on October 12, 2021 — a few months after he was listed as one of three governors of the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Eric Okyere Darko was also one of Hon. Kennedy Agyapong’s lawyers in the recent case against Anas.
Dr. Vernon Darko on the other hand is said to be the founder and CEO of EQUIPXP® (EXP) and a small business exporter. It is not clear what his usefulness will be to a National Cathedral project.
Krobea Kwabena Asante, aNew Patriotic Party (NPP) activist, has provided proof to refute a recent allegation that northerners were given preference in ministerial selections.
Kennedy Agyapong, a candidate for the NPP’s flagbearer position, said in a widely shared video about his campaigning in the Western Region that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government had offended him by appointing persons of northern ancestry to key positions in his administration.
He told the gathering that he failed to understand whether Northerners in the party are the only people who voted for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to be elevated to such enviable positions.
Krobea Asante via a Facebook post gave a breakdown of all ministerial positions under the government since 2021.
“I just did my analysis of ministerial appointments from 2021- to date and the data shows that the argument ofHon Ken is not accurate,” his post read in part.
“Again, the phraseology “North” is very problematic in its usage. The 5 regions are different and so when making analysis it should be region specific. Can it also be said that when analysising appointments from the South we should add all the 11 regions we know for our computation?” he added.
What Ken Agyapong said:
Kennedy Agyapong was speaking in the Western Region when he made this known charging members of the party in the area to also crave to enjoy the spoils of the NPP they have also labored for.
“We were here in the Western Region when they appointed the Vice President from the North, Interior Minister from the North, Defence Minister, Sports Minister, Lands Minister, Tourism Minister from the North. Why? Are they the only ones who vote?
He continued “If they want to be tribal,we will also be tribal. The party does not belong to them. They have used the Central and Western for years and after they have made it, they want to treat us as their slaves. We are not animals, we are human beings.”
Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, says fellow flagbearer hopeful, Alan Kyerematen, has paid his dues and is well deserving of becoming the next flagbearer of the
fellow flag bearer aspirant Alan Kyerematen is deserving of the slot by virtue of his toils for the party.
Mr Agyapong told Sompa FM in the Kumasi metropolis that Mr Kyerematen has paid his dues to the party and, thus, deserves to be the flag bearer.
In is view, if people are arguing that Dr Bawumia deserves to be the flag bearer because he has been the Vice President for two terms, then Mr Kyerematen is even more deserving of that privilege.
“Yes, if Alan says it’s his turn, he deserves it because he has been in the trenches with the party from its inception as the president of the Young Executives Forum (YEF) which was the financial wing of the NPP in the early days”, Mr Agyapong noted.
He wondered: “Where were all these small boys who have been insulting Alan, when he was in the trenches working for the NPP”.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong has noted that contrary to the mantra ‘fear delegates’ he is confident that delegates will be faithful to him in the upcoming primaries given his hard work and loyalty to the party.
He stated a view contrary to the widely acclaimed “fear delegates” mantra coined by the party’s late former General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.
According to him, delegates are people with consciences in making rational choices and cannot be said to be treacherous beings who are easily influenced.
“When they bring you money, take it but show them that you cannot be taken for a ride. They say fear delegates, for me, I don’t fear delegates because if you are faithful to delegates, they won’t take someone’s money and even if they do, they will still vote for you,” Kennedy Agyapong told a gathering of NPP members in the Ayawaso East Constituency in a video shared by Oman Channel.
The Assin Central MP noted that he remains the only candidate amongst the party’s flagbearer hopefuls who has been consistent in showing devotion to the cause of the NPP and members at all levels.
He thus implored the party members to reward his devotion with the nod to lead the party into victory for the 2024 presidential election by electing him as flagbearer.
“I have confidence in the grassroots. I may not have been able to take care of everyone but I have fought hard for you. From being charged with treason because of injustice against NPP among other things.
“So I know the love you are showing me is not the ‘fear delegates’ type but one that will manifest in votes. I still have confidence in you,” Kennedy stated while listing his many contributions to the NPP.
New Pariotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, has disclosed how many pick-ups he donated the party during the 2016 election period.
He said he donated 240 pick-ups to support the party’s bid.
He also serially spoke about financial contributions he has made to the party since its inception.
He has also provided funding for recent events including over 2.75 million Ghana cedis towards the April 2022 constituency elections (10,000 cedis to each constituency).
Later in December, he again donated 9,000 bags of rice and other items to the party as his widow’s mite towards Christmas.
He has opened up on a logistical donation in 2016 when the party was gearing up for elections.
“Just this 2016, I bought 240 used pick-ups for NPP campaigns. Today, you are in power and you are telling Ghanaians not to buy used (cars)… what is the purchasing power of every Ghanaian in the country. How many people can afford new cars?” he asked during a public function.
The crux of his concern with used cars being the decision of government to ban the importation of such vehicles.
Ken Agyapong insists that the decision by the government is totally wrong and was not well thought off.
“You cannot bring a year to five-year-old cars because VW is going to produce brand new cars in Ghana, because Nissan is going to produce brand new cars in Ghana.
“The direct tax (we are losing) through customs is more than anything in the country. Look at the number of people who are going to lose their jobs. How many jobs are these companies going to create? We didn’t sit down to analyse all these things, we just come out with policies, don’t bring used cars,” he said.
Agyapong is currently Member of Parliament for Assin Central, a seat he is set t relinquish at the expiration of his current term.
He is considered a frontrunner in the New Patriotic Party’s presidential flagbearership race along with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen.
Kennedy Agyapong, a presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has repeatedly discussed the financial contributions he has made to the party since its founding.
Additionally, he has contributed money to recent events, including more than 2.75 million Ghana cedis for the April 2022 local elections (10,000 cedis to each constituency).
Later in December, as his widow’s mite contribution to Christmas, he once more gave the party 9,000 bags of rice and other supplies.
He has disclosed a logistical donation made in 2016 as the party prepared for elections.
“Just this 2016, I bought 240 used pick-ups for NPP campaigns. Today, you are in power and you are telling Ghanaians not to buy used (cars)… what is the purchasing power of every Ghanaian in the country. How many people can afford new cars?” he asked during a public function.
The crux of his concern with used cars being the decision of government to ban the importation of such vehicles.
Ken Agyapong insists that the decision by the government is totally wrong and was not well thought off.
“You cannot bring a year to five-year-old cars because VW is going to produce brand new cars in Ghana, because Nissan is going to produce brand new cars in Ghana.
“The direct tax (we are losing) through customs is more than anything in the country. Look at the number of people who are going to lose their jobs. How many jobs are these companies going to create? We didn’t sit down to analyse all these things, we just come out with policies, don’t bring used cars,” he said.
He is considered a frontrunner in the New Patriotic Party’s presidential flagbearership race along with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen.
The Member of Parliament forAkim Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has stated that nothing should be done to obstruct the work of investigative journalists in Ghana.
He predicted that the day investigative journalism is banned, the nation would be ruined.
He was commenting on the judgment that was delivered in the case of Anas versus Kennedy Agyapong while speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, March 18.
The Accra High Court on Wednesday, March 15 dismissed the GH¢25 million defamation suit against Kennedy Ohene Agyapong brought by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
The judge, Justice Eric Baah, held that Anas Aremeyaw Anas failed to prove that Ken Agyapong defamed him by airing the documentary – “Who watches the watchman” – but rather, the documentary exposed shady deals that Anas and his associates were involved in.
This was after Anas, in 2018, sued the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker for allegedly defaming him.
Anas prayed to the court to award GH¢25 million against Mr Agyapong to compensate him for the defamatory material published against him by the MP.
The court concluded that what Anas is engaged in is not investigative journalism but rather “investigative terrorism” and that Agyapong was justified to call Anas “a blackmailer, corrupt, an extortionist, and evil”.
“I find the claims by the plaintiff [Anas Aremeyaw Anas) meritless and they are hereby dismissed,” Justice Baah ruled.
But Anas said he disagreed with the judge both on law and on the facts of the case.
He accused Justice Baah of delving into the arena of criminal prosecution against him despite the matter being a civil case.
“My team and I and the lawyers have carefully studied the judgment delivered by the court and we are unanimous that the judge made an overreach and descended into the arena and made criminal pronouncements about me as If I was standing a criminal trial.
“He also justified the MP accusing me of the murder of JB Danquah, murder of 20 Chinese nationals. We are filing an appeal because there was no evidence provided,” Anas said in a video recording responding to the judgment.”
He added “…I disagreed with the judge’s ruling both on law and the facts. when I started this work 21 years ago, I never assumed that it would be an easy road yet it is the evidence in my work and the commitment to truth and justice that has always led and prevailed against all the forces that have worked to pull us down”
Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has said he, together with his team, will appeal the judgment delivered by Justice Eric Baah in the GHS25 million defamation suit he filed against the MP for Assin Central Mr. Kennedy Agyapong.
The judge dismissed the case.
Justice Baah, in his judgment, said Mr. Aremeyaw engages in investigative terrorism rather than investigative journalism.
He said all the evidence adduced in court showed that Mr. Aremeyaw uses blackmail and extortion against people to fleece them.
The judge said Mr. Agyapong was right in describing Mr. Aremeyaw as a blackmailer, extortionist, criminal, corrupt, and evil person.
Reacting to the judgment, Anas in a two-minute video said: “Although the news about the dismissal of our defamation suit against the Member of Parliament was unexpected, I disagree with the judge’s reason both in law and the facts. My team of lawyers and I have carefully studied the judgment delivered by the court, and we are unanimous that the judge made an overreach and descended into the arena and made criminal pronouncement about me as if I was standing a criminal trial.
He also justified the MP accusing me of the murder of the late JB Danquah, murder of 20 Chinese nationals and a host of other crimes. We are filing an appeal because there was no evidence provided.”
In the lengthy judgment, Justice Baah also revealed that the Tiger Eye P.I. CEO, confessed on tape to being bribed with $100,000 by one Baba Tunde, one of the suspects in the $1.9-million gold scam saga, which never got aired by the journalist despite having investigated it, so the evidence could be manipulated to exclude the payer of the bribe.
Additionally, Justice Baah said in his judgment that one of the exhibits tendered in court, also captured Anas on tape confessing to giving a former Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, Mr. Adu Poku, some $75,000 as bribe.
The journalist, who was the plaintiff in the defamation case in which he sought damages against Mr. Agyapong for calling him names such as “blackmailer, corrupt, extortionist, criminal, evil and murderer” in the ‘Who Watches The Watchman’ documentary aired in 2018 on Net2 TV, a media house owned by the politician, to, ostensibly expose the alleged shady deals of the Tiger Eye P.I. CEO, also disclosed on tape, according to the judgment, that an amount of $5,000 was wired into the bank account of the prosecutor who handled the gold scam case, in order to shield Baba Tunde and “turn” the evidence on one Hafiz, who refused to cooperate with them.
Read Justice Eric Baah’s judgment in relation to the gold scam saga below, for which reason he determined that Mr. Agyapong was justified in calling Mr. Aremeyaw a “blackmailer, extortionist, criminal, and corrupt”:
Exhibit KOA1 begins with one Hafiz Abdallah, who appeared on Net 2 TV on 31 May 2018 to allege that the plaintiff took a bribe of $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars) to quash an investigation into a gold scum by the said Hafiz and others.
According to Hafiz, it was as a result of the bribe taken by plaintiff that he failed to publish the videos on that case.
The next part of the video is a conversation between the plaintiff on one part, and Baba Tunde and Mubarak on the other part.
The conversation hovered around a gold scam involving a huge sum of 1.9 million dollars, with Baba Tunde, Mubarak and Hafiz Abdallah and others as suspects.
According to Mubarak, of the sum of $1.9 million, they were paid a total of $560,000.
This sum, he claimed, were shared with Hafiz, and “those at the airport and all other persons.”
Mubarak made it clear in the presence of the plaintiff that they were part of an international criminal gang.
Said Mubarak: “The guy who brought the business was from Cotonou. He is called Abbas but his business name in Cotonou is Kwame. That is the name he uses for business. He is not here.”
He told the plaintiff that one of the suspects, “Prince is not here, he is in Cotonou.”
Mubarak confessed his involvement in the crime in the following words: “We don’t hide anything. Actually, if it was 1.9, I can’t confirm. But me, I know I am part of the whole deal.”
He then proceeded to state how much was received, and how much each suspect, and their accomplices got.
The plaintiff and the two suspects then engaged in a lengthy conversation, in which they plotted how they would contrive a story to scapegoat one Hafiz, who had refused to cooperate with the plaintiff by giving him money, and how they could tell their sweet story to the police, and also secure the proceeds of the crime in their bank accounts.
After this encounter, the plaintiff met the prosecutor in the gold scam case in what his lawyer said was a rehearsal for the trial.
Indeed, the early part of their investigation revolved around the evidence plaintiff had gathered about the suspects.
He showed the video of his encounter with the suspects and tried to explain the events to the prosecutor.
The conversation then changed from the suspects to money and the plaintiff and the prosecutor.
The plaintiff confessed to the prosecutor that he had been bought with $100,000.00. This is how the conversation went: ‘Prosecutor: Hmm, they have really been working and settling everybody. Anas: …his demeanour, 1.9 million dollars from where? Who did they take it from? Then he started telling me how the people came here and were working with them. So, at that time, they bought me with hundred thousand dollars because he is somehow related to me. Somehow. I don’t know how…?’
The prosecutor wanted to know who paid the money to plaintiff, and how much she was to receive, and how the evidence was to be skewed to scapegoat (Hafiz).
The following conversation ensued between the two: ‘Prosecutor: Is it the two of them? Anas: No, it was Baba Tunde. He now wanted to fight for himself. Prosecutor: Tell me the amount transferred to me. Anas: $5,000 (five thousand dollars) Prosecutor: We all want money, we all need money… Anas: Exactly. Prosecutor: That’s the reason why I had to know the evidence he had and then we turn it to suit the presentation you have in court’.
In a voluntary confession by the plaintiff that he had paid bribe to the Director General of the CID, this is what the video says: ‘Anas: They have…by then Adu Poku was the CID boss. So, I met him and gave him seventy-five thousand dollars’.
The claim by plaintiff that the event in the office of the prosecutor, on the second part of the video was a rehearsal, turned out to be largely false.
The event indeed started as a rehearsal but veered off into matters unrelated to the rehearsal.
It quickly degenerated into a strategy section on how to share bribes and sabotage the then-pending criminal case on the gold scam.
Otherwise, how related was the rehearsal to the confession of plaintiff that Baba Tunde had bought him with $100,000.00, a claim which became proven by the exclusion of Baba Tunde from the charges despite his tape-recorded confession which was in the possession of the plaintiff?
How related was the rehearsal to the plaintiff’s confession that he met the then Director General of CID, Ghana Police Service, and bribed him with $75,000.00?
And how related was the rehearsal to the plaintiff’s confession that he had paid a bribe of $5,000.00 into the account of the prosecutor?
Plaintiff evaded the critical issues raised by his confession statements in exhibit KOA1 and hid under the shaky and porous banner of the rehearsal.
Even though the prosecution sought to tender a tape of plaintiff on the accused persons, there is no evidence of the actual copy that was to be tendered.
It could have been the same copy as in exhibit KOA1, but it could have been an edited and doctored version.
By plaintiff’s own account, he rested himself when the court overruled the application of the prosecution to admit the tape.
The tape then went into abeyance and was brought to the attention of the public only when defendant aired his “Who Watches Watchman.”
Had it not been for the efforts of the investigators of that piece and the defendant, Ghanaians and the world would never have become aware of that tape and the culprits therein.
The mantra of plaintiff repeated ad nauseum in our ears, and of which I take judicial notice is “Name, shame and prosecute.”
Pursuant to that, plaintiff has rushed to air audio-visuals on his investigations to the public, often at a fee (judicial notice).
Judicial notice is further taken of the fact that in some of the investigations aired to the public, the bribes collected involves thousands of cedis and or goats, yam, etc. Refer to the investigation on judges dubbed: “Ghana in the eyes of God, epic of injustice”, cited by the plaintiff’s counsel.
In the case under reference, the amount stolen was $1.9 million, most probably, the biggest crime by quantum that has been investigated by the plaintiff.
As mentioned above, the culprits confessed on tape and in the face of plaintiff, their involvement in the crime.
The suspects indicated that they are an international criminal gang operating between Ghana and Cotonou.
A tape covering the self-confession of the suspects in a gold scam involving $1.9 million and a cross-border gang with accomplices at the airport and other places, would have been explosive on the airways.
But the airwaves were kept silent by the plaintiff and his team.
In this case, the plaintiff forgot to name and shame the criminals by publicly airing the explosive video, as has been his tradition.
He, uncharacteristically deferred first, and not last, to the court. However, even when the court rejected the tape, and the case was truncated for lack of prosecution, plaintiff kept the tape under wraps.
His silence continued.
He kept mute from 2009 to 2018, when the tapes first hit the public space, courtesy the defendant.
That was not as a result of change of heart or policy, because plaintiff has continued to show tapes on investigations conducted by him.
What incapacitated the plaintiff from showing the tape to the public?
The answer is in the tape.
In the tape, Hafiz decoded the reason why the plaintiff refused to air the tape as was his tradition in other investigations.
Said Hafiz of the plaintiff’s conduct: “So, why didn’t you show the videos? You showed the customs officers, you showed the judges, but when it came to our time because he took the 50,000 (fifty thousand dollars), he didn’t show it.
You understand where I am coming from? All that am trying to say to Ghanaians is that this guy is not correct. He is not a correct human being because he comes to do this thing, he goes to edit what he wants to add and minus what he wants-like any movie producer will do. That is exactly what he is doing. It is a movie that he is producing.”
The claim of Hafiz, when considered in the context of other events in the case, assumes the status of high credibility.
In the tape, the plaintiff appeared to plot with Mubarak and Baba Tunde, on how to shield them and the other culprits and shift the blame onto Hafiz.
When the plaintiff met the prosecutor in her office, the plot continued.
To that end, the prosecutor told plaintiff: “That’s the reason why I had to know the evidence he had and we turn it to suit the presentation you have to do in court.”
To “turn” evidence to suit plaintiff’s narration in court, was to bend the evidence, in breach of the law, and in violation of the ethics of prosecution.
As a prosecutor, you do not turn or bend one piece of evidence to suit the other. You present it as it is, even if it would be to the accused’s benefit.
The ethics of prosecution goes on to require that if a prosecutor has evidence that will benefit or exonerate the accused, and which evidence the accused person does not possess, the prosecutor must hand over that piece of evidence to the accused.
The up-quoted part of the conversation meant one and only one thing, that there was a plot between the plaintiff and the prosecutor to sabotage the trial.
In the court proceedings (exhibits KOA2/ F-series), the case began with Mohammed Hafiz Abdallah. Then an unnamed person was added. Later, the three persons appearing as accused persons were: Mohammed Hafix Abdallah, Mubarak Seidu and Prince Kingston Kwame.
Conspicuously missing was Baba Tunde, who plaintiff had captured on tape confessing to the crime.
Why was Baba Tunde left out? If he was left out by the prosecution without the knowledge of plaintiff, did the plaintiff petition the Attorney General for his inclusion since he had his confession on tape?
The evidence before me amply proves that Baba Tunde was excluded from the charges through the machinations of the plaintiff, after receiving a bribe of $100,000.00 from Baba Tunde, and on grounds of their family relationship.
For the sake of emphasis, I will repeat the relevant aspect of the conversation between the plaintiff and the prosecutor on Baba Tunde: ‘Prosecutor: Hmm they have really been working and are settling everybody. Anas: “…his demeanour, 1.9 million dollars from where? Who did they take it from? Then he started telling me how the people came here and were working with them. So, at that time they bought me with hundred thousand dollars because he is somehow related to me. Somehow. I don’t know how…? Prosecutor: Is it the two? Anas: No, Baba Tunde. He now wanted to fight for himself’.
If plaintiff says that Baba Tunde, in fighting for himself, bribed him with $100,000.00, who else can say he didn’t?
True to the scheme, Baba Tunde who had confessed to a crime involving $1.9 million on a tape in the possession of plaintiff, was excluded from the charges.
The video of his confession was never shown to the public.
Bribery and corruption by and of public officers are a crime under sections 239 (1) and (2) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). Section 239 (1) and (2) provides: “(1) Every public officer or juror who commits corruption, or wilful oppression, or extortion, in respect of the duties of his office, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour. (2) Whoever corrupts any person in respect of any duties as a public officer or juror shall be guilty of a misdemeanour.”
Corruption by and of a Public Officer, etc. has been explained in sections 240 and 241 of Act 29 as follows: “Section 240. A public officer, juror, or voter is guilty of corruption in respect of the duties of his office or vote if he directly or indirectly agrees or offers to permit his conduct as such officer, juror, or voter to be influenced by the gift, promise, or prospect of any valuable consideration to be received by him, or by any other person, from any person whomsoever.
Section 241
A person is guilty of corrupting a public officer, juror, or voter in respect of the duties of his office or in respect of his vote, if he endeavours directly or indirectly to influence the conduct of such public officer, juror, or voter in respect of the duties of his office or in respect of his vote, by the gift, promise, or prospect of any valuable consideration to be received by such public officer, juror, or voter, or by other person, from any person whomsoever.
In criminal trials as aforesaid, a voluntary confession statement is admissible against the maker.
The confession statements relieved the defendant of the onus of proof to the standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt”, which is the requirement of proving an allegation of a crime in a civil trial.
The conclusion is that the defendant proved the criminal allegations against the plaintiff based on exhibit KOA1, beyond a reasonable doubt.
Plaintiff’s counsel sought to establish the accusation by theoretical arguments and logical deductions.
Kennedy Agyapong, a member of parliament for Assin Central, is appealing for the reinstatement of every person who was fired from their job after being involved in what he calls Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ “awful” investigation.
His remarks follow his victory over a defamation suit filed against him by Anas.
On Wednesday, March 15, the Accra High Court dismissed the GH¢25 million defamation suit against Kennedy Ohene Agyapong brought by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
The judge, Justice Eric Baah, held that Anas Aremeyaw Anas failed to prove that Ken Agyapong defamed him by airing the documentary – “Who watches the watchman” – but rather, the documentary exposed shady deals that Anas and his associates were involved in.
This was after Anas, in 2018, sued the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for allegedly defaming him.
Anas prayed to the court to award GH¢25 million against Mr Agyapong to compensate him for the defamatory material published against him by the MP.
The court concluded that what Anas is engaged in is not investigative journalism but rather “investigative terrorism” and that Agyapong was justified to call Anas “a blackmailer, corrupt, an extortionist, and evil”.
“I find the claims by the plaintiff [Anas Aremeyaw Anas) meritless and they are hereby dismissed,” Justice Baah ruled.
Mr Agyapong dedicated his victory to victims of Anas’ work including former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kwasi Nyantakyi who was captured in Anas’ investigative work dubbed “Number 12” which uncovered rots in Ghana football.
Speaking to journalists after the court hearing, Mr Kennedy Agyapong said “we have to be bold to speak the truth, Anas goes ahead to [allegedly] defame people and gets away. It is only in this country that a journalist covers his face to go and give witness while Supreme Court judges are sitting there.
“Anas has to come out and apologize. All I am saying is the victory is for Kwasi Nyantakyi.”
“All those who were sacked over Anas terrible should be reinstated,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Tiger Eye PI, the investigative firm belonging to Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has said that they are disappointed in the court ruling.
In a statement reacting to the ruling, Tiger Eye PI said: “We find the court decision an unfortunate travesty of justice and very inimical to the administration of justice and fairness. If for nothing at all made an allegation of murder against Anas.”
It added: “Tiger Eye PI and our CEO Anas Aremeyaw remain resolute in our fight against corruption in the Ghanaian society.”
The GHC25 million defamation lawsuit brought by renowned investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas against Kennedy Agyapong, the MP for Assin Central in the Central Region, has been dismissed by theAccra High Court.
Anas, in 2018, dragged the lawmaker to court for allegedly defaming him. In his application, Anas prayed to the court to award aggravated damages of GHC25 million to compensate for the defamatory material published against him by the MP.
In court
In a lengthy ruling delivered today Wednesday 15 March 2023, Justice Eric Baah held that the plaintiff [Anas Aremeyaw Anas] failed to prove that Ken Agyapong defamed him by airing the documentary – “Who watches the watchman” – but rather, the documentary exposed shady deals that Anas and his associates were involved in.
The court further held that Agyapong provided sufficient evidence to prove that the plaintiff used the findings of his work to solicit money from persons implicated in the evidence gathered by him.
The evidence, according to the court, also proved that those who were able to pay the sums of money demanded by Anas and his associates, got exempted from videos that were shown to the public.
The court concluded that what Anas is engaged in is not investigative journalism but rather investigative terrorism and that Agyapong was justified to call Anas “a blackmailer, corrupt, an extortionist, and evil”.
“I find the claims by the plaintiff [Anas Aremeyaw Anas) meritless and they are hereby dismissed” Justice Baah ruled.
Publications
According to Anas, Agyapong on 29 May 2018, during a live programme in Twi on Adom TV, categorically stated that he [Anas] was a blackmailer, corrupt, an extortionist, and evil.
According to the statement of claim filed by the lawyers of Anas, the defendant, similarly, Mr. Agyapong published defamatory words on 31 May 2018, on Oman FM, a private radio station owned by the defendant [KennedyAgyapong].
The statement of claim also stated that the defendant published more defamatory materials against the plaintiff via other platforms to the extent of releasing pictures purported to be those of the investigative journalist in his bid to blow the latter’s cover.
Reputation injured
Anas indicated in his statement of claim that his reputation, especially as a lawyer and as a globally acclaimed investigative journalist, has been egregiously damaged.
“Furthermore, Anas indicate that following the publication, he was inundated with numerous calls from business associates, journalists around the world, social relations, friends, outright strangers, and he has had to answer very mortifying questions,” the statement of claim said.
According to Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Mr. Agyapong published the words complained of knowing them to be false and reckless.
Cost awarded
Lawyers of Kennedy Agyapong after the ruling asked the court to award cost of 1 million Ghana cedis against the plaintiff [Anas Aremeyaw Anas].
Lawyer for the Anas Aremeyaw Anas when he stood on his feet offered to pay Ghc 20,000.00 as cost.
Justice Eric Baah indicated that since the award of cost in such civil cases is at the discretion of the court, he will award cost of GHc 50,000.00 against the plaintiff [Anas Aremeyaw Anas].
Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong has expressed surprise at a proposed Constitutional Instrument (CI) seeking to make the Ghana Card the sole Identification document for registration of new voters.
The CI, proposed by the Electoral Commission is currently before Parliament with strong opposition from the Minority Caucus with strong support from the other side.
Agyapong, who is particularly concerned with the decision to strike out the passport as a proof of citizenship, made his views known on the matter in an interview he granted Sompa FM in Kumasi late last week.
“For Americans, even Ghanaians who have naturalized, they are so proud to hold an American passport. Ghana has people taking bogus decisions and I wonder those who sit there and take such decisions.
“That a whole Ghana passport, you claim that to register to vote, we won’t allow use of the Ghana passport, we have lost our identity to National Identification, what?” he lamented.
He reiterated his strict opposition to the CI asking, “what makes me know I am a Ghanaian? It is my passport.”
He also rejected the EC’s explanation that a lot of non-Ghanaians are holding the Ghanaian passport, “same is the case with these Ghana Cards,” he challenged.
The CI aims to amend the current law to make Ghana Card, the sole proof of identification for registration of new voters, removing the existing options of the use of passports and the guarantor system.
Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, has accused his wife of being corrupt.
Stella Wilson Agyapong, the wife of famous politician and presidential hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong incurred his wrath in her attempt to shield a supposedly corrupt health worker who exploited a woman at a government hospital.
On the account of the Assin Central Member of Parliament, a woman he had met at a public place walked up to him to narrate how a corrupt nurse was pocketing money at a hospital in Ghana.
“A woman I meet detailed how a nurse who was attending to her friend’s daughter wrote a wrong receipt for her and how she took her on for writing a receipt of GH¢40 when she had paid GH¢250 at the hospital…my wife who was there with me and knowing me very well urged the woman not to mention the name of the hospital to me, that is why I say she’s corrupt. I would have easily called out the hospital in today’s interview in Kumasi,” he disclosed on Sompa TV.
The MP who called his wife corrupt also announced that he will be quick to sack her if she carries the same attitude during his time as president of Ghana.
“She is corrupt, she used to be very principle when she returned to Ghana from the United States…do you know why my wife is corrupt?…how do you change the nation with this. You want to be First Lady, I will sack you without hesitation with this attitude…was that her attitude when she living abroad?” he quizzed.
According to Kennedy Agyapong, his beloved wife who spent years working abroad should have known better by not standing in his way especially when he had plans of naming and shaming the culprit to serve as a warning to others.
Kennedy Agyapong, a representative for Assin Central, expressed surprise at a proposed Constitutional Instrument (CI) that would make the Ghana Card the only form of identification accepted for new voter registration.
The Minority Caucus has voiced strong opposition to the Electoral Commission’s proposed CI, while the other side has voiced strong support.
In an interview he gave to Sompa FM in Kumasi late last week, Agyapong expressed his concerns about the decision to eliminate the passport as proof of citizenship in particular.
“For Americans, even Ghanaians who have naturalized, they are so proud to hold an American passport. Ghana has people taking bogus decisions and I wonder those who sit there and take such decisions.
“That a whole Ghana passport, you claim that to register to vote, we won’t allow use of the Ghana passport, we have lost our identity to National Identification, what?” he lamented.
He reiterated his strict opposition to the CI asking, “what makes me know I am a Ghanaian? It is my passport.”
He also rejected the EC’s explanation that a lot of non-Ghanaians are holding the Ghanaian passport, “same is the case with these Ghana Cards,” he challenged.
The CI aims to amend the current law to makeGhana Card, the sole proof of identification for registration of new voters, removing the existing options of the use of passports and the guarantor system.
Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, has threatened to sabotage the New Patriotic Party (NPP) by spilling its secrets if the government dares to collapse his companies.
In an interview with Sompa FM, The NPP presidential aspirant hopeful claimed that his party is plotting to collapse his companies.
He sounded a word of caution to the party if the persons deployed to cripple his companies are not withdrawn, he will embark on activities that will also kill the party.
“You are going there because Kwame Agyapong is a loudmouth. You want to collapse my companies because I want to contest. I’m being nice and charitable to the NPP but they shouldn’t dare me. Anybody who tries to kill my companies because I’m contesting for elections, I will kill the party.
“The things I know and will say will kill the company. I’ve gone through a lot from January till date but I’ve been very nice. If you want to collapse my company because of one person then I will also kill the company. I’m not afraid of anyone,” he fumed.
Kennedy Agyapong is hoping to lead the NPP into the 2024 election with a campaign to instill discipline and fight corruption.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful weighed in on the recently published Auditor-general’s report that pointed to fraud and impropriety in spending of COVID-19 funds.
“The performance of NPP during the COVID, I am not holding brief, we have made some mistakes that we all have to accept and I will be the first person to accept,” he said on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana program earlier this week.
“But if you compare the two governments, Akufo-Addo and Mahama, Mahama is not an alternative to Ghana because the man has been fortunate to succeed Atta Mills for two years,” he stated stressing that he has no justification to seek a final term in office.
When pushed by host Paul Adom-Otchere about Mahama’s claim that the NPP was corrupt, Agyapong responded: “NPP is corrupt, NDC is corrupt, that is why you haveKennedy Agyapong coming in.”
When he was reminded that he was an NPP man, he replied: “I am a disciplined NPP (member).”
The Chairman of the Defense Committee of Parliament has expressed sympathy to the family of the young soldier who was killed in Ashaiman, which led to the brutalisation of some residents in Accra on March 7.
According to Kennedy Agyapong, he admits there were some excesses and would want to apologise for the actions.
Speaking in an interview, he said the Minister of Defense, Dominic Nitiwul, has apologised on behalf of the military for their actions, as innocent citizens were affected by their actions.
“On behalf of the committee, we want to sympathise with the bereaved, the young solder’s family, and the affected victims, those who were innocently beaten; they were not part of it, but unfortunately, they got to a scene where they [were] not supposed to be. Some of them were in their various homes, and they knocked, and they came out and they beat them; I think we have to admit as human beings that there were excesses, and therefore, we sympathise with the people of Ashaiman. At the same time, we also sympathise with the Armed Forces for our young men taking the law into their own hands to kill one of their own.
“…The minister has even apologised on behalf of the military; they admit that they have excesses,” he added.
He said the committee would not make statements on the floor of parliament until they had visited the scene to get first-hand information about what happened in the area next week Thursday.
The military invaded Ashaiman, brutalising innocent residents after the murder of a young soldier by the name of Sherrif Imoro on Saturday morning.
The incident happened on the dawn of Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the Official Town in Ashaiman during a heavy downpour.
Reports indicate that residents have been forced to stay in their rooms until there is calm.
Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, was sighted with the group that arrived in parliament to support the investigation of Kobina Tahir Hammond.
The Appointments Committee of Parliament is hearing from KT Hammond regarding his nomination by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the position of designate Minister of Trade and Industry.
The Assin Central MP can be seen entering the room with the group that had arrived to support the minister-designate in pictures that GhanaWeb took during the vetting.
He was appointed after Alan Kyerematen, who held the position from January 2017 until January 2023, resigned to concentrate on his presidential aspirations.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong has assured Ghanaians that he will not tolerate any form on incompetence under his regime.
Speaking in an interview with maritime news in the US, Mr Agyapong indicated that the slighted mistake by any appointee will warrant his dismissal.
“I am not going to be a dictator. I won’t but I will be strict. One mistake, you’re fired. And I am not afraid to fire. I have said it several times that even if my wife makes a mistake I will fire her,” he assured.
Mr Agyapong also spoke about how mechanisation of agriculture will boost crop production which could earn foreign exchange through exports and lessen the burden on the country’s currency.
He again spoke about how he will instill patriotism in the citizenry through the singing of patriotic songs in schools and inculcation of love of the country in them.
Mr Agyapong faces stiff competition for the flagbearership position as stalwarts like Alan Kyeremanten, Mahamudu Bawumia, Boakye Agyarko, Owusu Afriyie Akoto and others are in the race.
Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has again justified his decision to become President of the republic.
He says he doesn’t want to go to his grave with his vision for the country.
“I don’t want to die with my vision and the only way to let Ghanaians know that a Ghanaian can also do it is to vie for this presidency,” he said in an interview on Good Evening Ghana.
During his interaction with host, Paul Adom Otchere, the Assin Central MP painfully revealed that he has on various occasions proposed innovative solutions to the country’s many woes in the various sectors of the economy. However, all these suggestions have been ignored. He, thus, believes that the only way to make these solutions materialise, is to become the President of the country.
“I’ve always thought that I could effect change in people’s lives without necessarily being President but I’ve come to realise that, especially with the COVID and Russia-Ukraine war; I feel whatever pragmatic approach I have towards development, I should only be President so that my vision will come through and I’ll be able to change the fortunes of this country.
“I have tried it in business fields, I employ a lot of young people but there are still many young people that are not working which clearly indicates to me that being only a businessman, I cannot help this youth enough but indeed if I become president, I can express my views and vision to everyone and bring the whole country together to move this country,” he said.
Despite an initial claim he made in 2021 on the Good Evening Ghana show to the effect that he had no presidential ambition, the legislator made a sudden u-turn and disclosed his intentions to run for presidency.
Touching on this, he noted that: “Indeed previously I wasn’t interested but now I am because successive governments have done their part when it comes to education for instance, most structures in the educational sector are just theory; we need abstract thinkers and pragmatic solutions to our problems.”
Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, has described as “ridiculous” the Bank of Ghana’s revised monetary policy rate.
On January 30, 2023, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) announced an increase in the monetary policy rate – the rate at which it lends to commercial banks – by 100 basis points to 28%.
The Central Bank attributed the adjustment to the downside risks to inflation and exchange rate depreciation as the major reason.
During an interview with the host of Good Evening Ghana Paul Adom Otchere on January 31, 2023, Mr Agyapong condemned the move, stressing that it is one of the factors fuelling poverty in the country.
“I was watching TV this [January 31] morning and it was announced that the Bank of Ghana has increased the policy rate by 1%, hundred basis points, from 27% to 28%, that is ridiculous.
“In this world, most of the industries and companies that are succeeding in this country are owned by foreigners. Why? The answer is that these foreigners take loans from their country at low rates as 5% and they come here to compete with the local industries.
He explained that since the local industries go for loans with exorbitant interest rates, they are unable to make the most out of the loan since they end up using their profits to pay for the loans together with the high interest rates. This, he said, does not augur well for many indigenous businesses.
Following its 110th meeting, the first for the year 2023, the MPC noted that the underlying inflationary pressures similarly remained elevated, adding that the Bank’s core inflation measure, which excludes energy and utility, accelerated to 53.2 percent in December 2022 from 49.7 percent in November.
“The MPC sees the need to remain vigilant and moderate liquidity in the system to underpin macroeconomic adjustments taking place to drive inflation on a downward path. Under the circumstances, the Committee decided to increase the policy rate by 100 basis points to 28 percent,” a statement released by the Central Bank read.
The upward adjustment in the policy rate means the cost of loans will go up further, and will consequently worsen the cost of doing business in the country.
The next flagbearer should be chosen by the delegates of the ruling New Patriotic Party, who have been urged to put the party first and support Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
Mr. Kwadwo Owusu, a campaign team member for Hon Kennedy Agyapong who made the call emphasized that NPP can only retain power in the 2024 Presidential polls if the Assin Central MP is made to lead the party.
Mr. Owusu in a press release copied to OTEC News on Monday, January 23, 2023, said Kennedy Agyapong remains the best choice for the NPP.
“The overwhelming support base of Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong alone, speak volumes and has registered hope in the minds of the discerning delegates and the Ghanaian populace to be up and alert against people painting false pictures of reality by always bending facts to suit just their interests”.
“The inclusion of Kennedy Agyapong in the flagbearership race of the NPP; a business mogul, philanthropically inclined;(constructed 80-bed cardiothoracic center at the 37 military hospitals, donation of a Cancer treatment machine to Komfo Anokye teaching hospital, Kumasi. Massive support in cash and PPEs for the fight against covid-19 and many changes he has, and still affecting the livelihood of the ordinary Ghanaian.”
“Such a results-oriented, apt, and always ready to help, has succeeded in transmogrifying today’s politics from ‘sweet talks’
and conjuring unrealistic stories unto a fair field of realists, that is; bringing your track record to bear for critical scrutiny to prove your realness to settle on as the best choice to lead the NPP and Ghana”.
Mr. Kwadwo Owusu noted that the name Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is not just a genius, but a positive straight-up man full of a can-do spirit, who is always eager and willing to effect changes positively in the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian.
He added that voting the Assin Central MP as the next flagbearer of the NPP will leapfrog the party’s votes come 2024.
Read the full statement below:
For Immediate release
22nd January 2023
NPP WILL MAKE KEN THE FLAGBEARER AND GHANAIANS MUST EMBRACE HIM AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT.
The overwhelming support base of Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong alone, speak volumes and has registered hope in the minds of the discerning delegates and the Ghanaian populace to be up and alert against people painting false pictures of reality by always bending facts to suit just their personal interests. Meanwhile, this agenda happens and changes only in the books and in the end, breeds nothing but political disheartening and jittering to survive.
The current political terrain does not support the usual deception people always drive through. And the sudden unleashed of political uneasiness in some quarters, is a result of the inclusion of the man Ken in the flagbearership race of the NPP; a business mogul, philanthropically inclined;(construction of 80-bed cardiothoracic center at the 37 military hospital, donation of a Cancer treatment machine to Komfo Anokye teaching hospital, Kumasi. Massive support in cash and PPEs for the fight against covid-19 and many changes he has, and still effecting in the livelihood of the ordinary Ghanaian.
Such a results-oriented, apt and always ready-to-help, has succeeded in transmogrifying today’s politics from ‘sweet talks’
and conjuring unrealistic stories unto a fair field of realists, that is; bringing your track record to bear for critical scrutiny to prove your realness to settle on as the best choice to lead the NPP and Ghana.
The name Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is not just genius, but a positive straight-up man full of a can-do spirit, always eager and willing to effect changes positively in the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian. Government does the higher rate of employment, yet, Ken with what God has blessed him with, keeps forcing day in, day out, to turn things around for the people of Ghana when he can, and Ghanaians nationwide attest to his kind-heartedness and altruistic nature of such character with a high level of benevolence.
Ken has done a lot for Ghana and the NPP and still bankrolls the party till today, and the little said about NPP’s days in opposition, the better, because, everyone knows that, NPP has been an albatros on the neck of Hon Ken and he must be supported with every support available.
In all of these; this same man has employed numerous Ghanaians and still employing.
Tt is only fair and proper to give him(Ken) the chance to lead and do more for the NPP and Ghana as a whole, and I encourage all and sundry to wake up and support Ken.
When you have the facts and can speak to them with evidence, you only explain to people and when questions emerged to that effect, you do justice to it with supporting evidence but you don’t dissipate time and energy campaigning, knowing very well that, you can push through lies, deception and propaganda to blackmail innocent Ghanaians to suit your personal interest.
Ghanaians are wild awake, we have to broaden our horizons and therefore Ken must be allowed without any hindrances to contest, win decisively to lead the NPP into the 2024 Presidential Election and win as well to become the president.
God bless our homeland Ghana and make us great and strong.
I’ve written a few articles about Ken Agyapong, and to be completely honest, I would have given him the backing he requires to be a leader if he hadn’t gotten involved in activities that have questioned his abilities and marred his reputation. Ken Agyapong is smarter than the bulk of NPP politicians, despite what critics may say about him and the bad things he has done in the past. Kennedy Agyapong alerted the NPP administration to impending events, but no one heeded his warnings.
Ken Agyapong claimed that “the World Bank and the IMF are two entities undermining the Akufo Addo’s government to collapse, “prompting to write: Corrupt IMF and World Bank? – Ken Agyapong confirms the truth of an article I wrote.” Because I had already written on how corrupt multinational corporations take resources from developing countries with the assistance of the World Bank and the IMF before he made this claim.
Osafo Maafo as Senior Presidential Advisor to Akufo Addo seems to me to have been detrimental to the president because, since the president’s appointment, he hasn’t been successful, even though the corrupt media he is funding keep promoting his false agenda. The majority of Ghanaians saw terrible decisions, a surge in the high rate of corruption, waste of resources, unprecedented hardships, and a significant national debt without responsibility despite all of his struggles.
While the majority of dishonest NPP politicians want Ghanaians to believe that COVID and the Russia-Ukraine war are to blame for the country’s economic calamity, many others, including the writer and Ken Agyapong, are not persuaded of this. Why President Akufo Addo would choose to rely on the IMF rather than take the proper action to free himself from hardships and improve life for the suffering masses is beyond me.
I recently proved once more why Ghana’s economy crashed in my article, “The NPP’s Years of Crisis: A Chronology Of The Collapse Of The Banking, Economic, Businesses, And Financial Systems,” notwithstanding the NPP’s claims that COVID and the Russia-Ukraine war are to blame. More significantly, the Russian government stood up for itself and provided evidence of such, but a government that refuses to acknowledge failure will always rely on its own misunderstanding.
When the local banking institutions collapsed, the economy of the nation started to have issues. The vice president, Bawumia, who is reputed to be an economist, and the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, could have encouraged investment during that time by establishing a flexible import and export trade to entice investors. Unfortunately, that was also the moment when the already-existing corruption began to spread. The president, Nana Akufo Addo, has given Ghana Revenue Authority to raise GHC 39 billion.
Kennedy Agyapong had made vehement complaints about the exorbitant cost of customs taxes at the ports. By then, I had already published three articles that proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ghana’s economic collapse was caused by widespread corruption at the ports, discouraging domestic and foreign investments. Angry Ken Agyapong exposed it as well, stating that “If the president has given GRA the order, doesn’t mean they have to hike rates with their CTN,” I wasn’t at all surprised.
According to the Assin Central Member of Parliament for the New Patriotic Party, “things are very tough in Ghana because of high duties and as a result, the problem will erode the fortunes of the NPP.” I wrote this in the article “The Lamentation Of Ken Agyapong Reveals Akufo Addo Is Behind The Corruption At The Ports.” In that specific piece, I backed it up with a video of Ken Agyapong’s interview, which revealed that President Akufo Addo is responsible for the corruption occurring at the ports, just as he has been involved in illegal mining around the nation.
It was shocking to discover that the video in which Ken Agyapong implicated the president in corrupt practices at the ports, had been deleted when I referred to the article I wrote for ModernGhana. In reality, several of my articles that have been supported by videos of Akufo Addo’s corruption and unfilled promises, have been removed from public view. What are they trying to conceal, then?
There is a reason why Ken Agyapong said, “Read my lips, NPP politicians are not at all clever; what is called intellect, none has one.” This is accurate since I share his perspective that the IMF would not be Ghana’s savior. Even after the NPP government had earlier said it would seek financial assistance from the organization, Ken Agyapong opposed the idea of going to the IMF.
It’s really terrible that some ignorant NPP members, like the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, and Gabby Otchere-Darko, are giving desperate Ghanaians false assurances that the help from the International Monetary Fund will allow milk and honey to flow on the country’s streets. The best way to quickly restore Ghana’s collapsing economy is to stimulate and promote both domestic and international investment by addressing corruption issues and decreasing tariffs.
However, considering Akufo Addo is the one who is responsible for the corruption at the ports, I don’t believe this is conceivable. Ken Agyapong has proven it, and I have also confirmed it in earlier columns. As a result, ignorant NPP politicians, especially Richard Ahiagba, the national director of communications, should quit pleading with Ghanaians for assistance in reviving the economy.
Source: Ghanaweb
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, is disgruntled over government’s decision to slap a 35% penalty on duty on imported used vehicles which are between one to five years old.
According to him, the act is not fair because not every Ghanaian can afford a brand-new car.
He also stated that if the government wants to encourage local investments, it should not be to the detriment of indigenous businesses.
“Wherever the manufacturing and assembling companies come from, there are used car companies there, but why are they not telling their governments to slap higher tariffs on the used cars?
“This is clearly due to the fact that not everybody can buy a brand-new car. If you have locals dealing in used cars, you don’t come up with punitive measures because you’re asking automobile companies to invest in Ghana,” he is quoted by myjoyonline.com.
Kennedy Agyapong also bemoaned the waivers foreign businesses are given whiles citizens are made to pay huge taxes.
“How can you slap an additional 25% on 1-5 years cars and leave 6-10 years cars? We must always put the citizens first in every decision we take as this is the case in every country. It’s quite unfortunate that it is only in Ghana we tend to put foreigners ahead of our own people,” he said.
However, the Vehicle and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG) has stated its displeasure over the introduction of the penalty.
Deputy General Secretary of the dealers, Clifford Ansu, according to myjoyonline reports said, “We’re against this aspect of the law. For instance, a vehicle between 1-5 years attracts a penalty of 35% on duty. We’re even struggling with the existing duty and when it is implemented before the year ends, it will surely collapse our business.”
