On January 31, 2023, during an interview that GhanaWeb was watching on Good Evening Ghana, Agyapong stated that he would never take part in any endeavors that would make him wealthy at the expense of the citizens of Ghana.
He continued by recounting how he turned down a $3 million bribe from an Indian businessman who was trying to enlist his assistance in obtaining a government project.
“I met an Indian last week and he said there is a project that he thinks I can influence. The actual cost of the project is ($)26 million.
“The guy comes to say that he can do it for $9 (million) and of course as a businessman, he has to make a profit with whoever introduced him, $3 (million), making $12 (million). Then he said to me, I’m going to give you $3 million so I will add it to the $12 (million) to make $15 million and I said no to him.
“I said Ghana first, I don’t want the $3 million if you know you can do the job for $12 million so be it. The young men that come from America with their tickets and everything whatever you want to give to them it is okay but me I will not take any money,” he narrated.
“The Indian man, who was there with his young engineer son, said wow, I have goose pimples. I have worked in Africa for 22 years and I have never seen an African reject $3 million like you did,” he said.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, has said that he is not corrupt and that he has never taken a bribe.
Speaking in an interview on Good Evening Ghana on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, which was monitored by GhanaWeb, Agyapong said that he will never engage in activities that will make him rich at the expense of the people of Ghana.
He then proceeded to narrate how he rejected a $3 million bribe from an Indian businessman who wanted to get a government project with his help.
“I met an Indian last week and he said there is a project that he thinks I can influence. The actual cost of the project is ($)26 million.
“The guy comes to say that he can do it for $9 (million) and of course as a businessman, he has to make a profit with whoever introduced him, $3 (million), making $12 (million). Then he said to me, I’m going to give you $3 million so I will add it to the $12 (million) to make $15 million and I said no to him.
“I said Ghana first, I don’t want the $3 million if you know you can do the job for $12 million so be it. The young men that come from America with their tickets and everything whatever you want to give to them it is okay but me I will not take any money,” he narrated.
Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, said that the business told him that he (Agyapong) is the only person, he has met in Africa who has rejected such a huge amount of money.
“The Indian man, who was there with his young engineer son, said wow, I have goose pimples. I have worked in Africa for 22 years and I have never seen an African reject $3 million like you did,” he said.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration has, in a final award dated January 30, 2023, dismissed an investor-state arbitration instituted by Beijing Everyway Traffic & Lighting Tech. Co. Ltd. (the “Claimant”) against the Government of Ghana (“Respondent”) after upholding a preliminary objection by the Attorney-General acting as counsel for the Government of Ghana.
Beijing Everyway Traffic & Lighting Tech. Co. Ltd invoked the jurisdiction of the tribunal under a Treaty between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Ghana Concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments concluded on 12th October 1989, seeking the award of damages amounting to “not lower than US$55 million”.
Arbitral Tribunal and Counsel on Record
The Members of the Arbitral Tribunal who delivered the final award are Professor Stavros Brekoulakis (presiding arbitrator), Mr. V.K. Rajah SC and Professor Richard Oppong.
The final award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration shows that at the proceedings, the Government of Ghana was represented by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame. Other Counsel listed as part of Ghana’s team include Ms. Diana Asonaba-Dapaah (Deputy Attorney-General); Mrs. Helen Akpene Awo Ziwu (Solicitor-General); Dr. Sylvia Adusu; Mrs. Grace Mbrokoh Ewoal and Ms. Yvonne Bannerman, all state attorneys.
Background
The dispute leading to the arbitral proceedings relates to an intelligent traffic management system project in Accra, Ghana, namely the AITMS Project. On 16th December 2011, Ghana signed a Master Facility Agreement and other related Finance Documents with the China Development Bank for a term loan facility to develop twelve (12) infrastructure projects in Ghana, including the AITMS Project. The Claimant was awarded the AITMS Project on or about April 2012. Subsequently, on 17 September 2012, the Claimant and the Ministry of Roads and Highways of Ghana signed the EPIC Contract.
Under the EPIC Contract, the Claimant, Beijing Eeveryway, agreed to supply equipment and provide technical services to the Respondent in respect of the planning, design, construction, supervision, operation and training for the AITMS Project in Accra. The Parties agreed to a Contract Price of US$ 100 million and an advance payment of 30%.
On 22nd December 2018, the Parliament of Ghana approved by resolution the EPIC Contract. The Commencement Date of the EPIC Contract was fixed as 26th August 2019 and the works were scheduled to be completed in 24 calendar months.
According to the Claimant, between 12th and 15th November 2019, a six (6) member team of the Ministry of Roads and Highways of Ghana conducted a technical visit to its factory and warehouses in China to inspect the production and inventory of the equipment for the AITMS Project.
During the visit, the Ghanaian delegation observed, inspected and counted the manufactured equipment prior to shipment to Ghana. In January 2020, the Department of Urban Roads of Ghana, under the instruction of the Ministry of Roads and Highways of Ghana, confirmed that Beijing Everyway could ship to Ghana the equipment inspected by the technical team in November 2019. On 15th January 2020, the Department of Urban Roads of Ghana issued an onsite work permit to Everyway for the AITMS Project, covering the installation of new traffic signals, communication network and general civil works at signalized and non-signalized intersections in Accra.
On 3rd February 2020, Everyway reported to the Department of Urban Roads of Ghana that it had loaded nineteen containers of equipment for shipment for the AITMS Project and asked it to prepare for import customs clearance in Ghana. On 21st February 2020, about six months after the commencement of the AITMS Project, the first installations at two intersections in Accra were switched on, indicating the official launch of the AITMS Project in Ghana.
During the course of the AITMS Project, the Claimant issued two Interim Payment Certificates amounting in total to US$ 21,995,728 for works that had been performed up to the date of issuance of each Interim Payment Certificate. According to the Claimant, by the time of the Notice of Arbitration (i.e. 10 February 2021), Everyway had completed works with a contractual value of at least US$ 21,995,728.
According to the Claimant, on 24th March 2020, the Minister of Finance of Ghana requested the Vice President of Ghana to convene a meeting to discuss the AITMS Project. Two meetings among the Vice President of Ghana, Minister of Finance of Ghana, Minister of Roads and Highways of Ghana, Minister of National Security of Ghana, and Deputy Attorney General of Ghana were subsequently called in early April 2020, where it was agreed that two technical teams from the Ministry of National Security and Ministry of Roads and Highways of Ghana would be formed to supervise certain of the AITMS Project. It was also further agreed that Ministry of Roads and Highways of Ghana would remain responsible for certain other aspects of the AITMS Project.
On 24th April 2020, the Vice President of Ghana issued a decision letter to direct the Minister of Finance of Ghana to convey to the China Development Bank that the project would proceed as approved, with Everyway being the contractor and the Ministry of Roads and Highways of Ghana being the implementing agency on the part of Ghana. However, on 19 November 2020, the Parliament of Ghana suddenly informed the Claimant of Parliament’s decision to rescind the approval of the EPIC Contract.
Accordingly, on 30th December 2021, the Claimant served Ghana with a notice terminating the EPIC Contract on the ground that the Respondent had “either directly or indirectly, unlawfully expropriated” the Claimant’s investment because the Parliament of Ghana, inter alia, “rescinded approval for the valid and effective EPIC Contract under which Everyway had completed substantial amount of work with (a) no national security or public interest justification, (b) no due domestic legal procedure, (c) in a discriminatory manner, and (d) with no compensation whatsoever for the damages caused.”
The Claimant sought a declaration that the Respondent has breached Article 4(1) of the China-Ghana Investment Treaty. Furthermore, the Claimant argued that Ghana had breached its duty under the Treaty to observe obligations it has entered into with regard to investments made by Chinese investors (i.e. a breach of the Umbrella Clause).
Ghana, on the other hand, argued that it has not breached the Treaty because the decision of the Parliament of Ghana to rescind the EPIC Contract with the Claimant was taken in the interests of Ghana’s national security. Ghana further submitted that the Tribunal has no jurisdiction over the Claimant’s claims.
Ghana’s submissions on the Tribunal’s lack of Jurisdiction
Arguing the objection to the jurisdiction of the tribunal at a hearing conducted virtually on 22nd March, 2022, the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame submitted that the provision of Article 10(1) of the China- Ghana Agreement limits the Tribunal’s jurisdiction to only the determination of the quantum or amount of expropriation, and not the determination of the primary issue whether there has been expropriation at all. The Tribunal thus had no jurisdiction to determine whether Ghana expropriated the Claimant’s investment in the AITMS Project pursuant to Article 4 of the Treaty or breached its contractual obligations with the Claimant under the EPIC Contract pursuant to the Umbrella Clause obligations applicable in this arbitration through Article 3(2) of the Treaty.
The Attorney-General further argued that relying on Articles 4(1), 4(3) and 10(5) of the Treaty, it is Ghanaian courts that have jurisdiction over the question of the lawfulness of an alleged expropriation, not an arbitral tribunal. An investor bringing a claim for expropriation under the Treaty, must therefore do so “under domestic legal procedure” and under Ghanaian law.
Mr. Dame submitted to the tribunal that the object and purpose of the Treaty were not only to protect foreign investments but also to encourage foreign investment and foster economic cooperation between the two Contracting States. Accordingly, this required a balanced approach to the interpretation of the Treaty’s substantive provisions, given that a focus only on the protection of foreign investments may dissuade host States from admitting foreign investments and, thus, undermine the overall aim of intensifying the Contracting States’ mutual economic relations.
Mr. Dame referred to about twenty (20) Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT) concluded by China prior to the China-Ghana Agreement, and pointed out that none of them provided that an investor can submit any dispute, regardless of its nature, to arbitration. Rather, these BITs provided that investors may only refer the amount of compensation to arbitration, while the question of existence and unlawfulness of expropriation is reserved for amicable settlement or domestic courts of the respective contracting states. The same was the case for other BITs entered into by Ghana with other states. Accordingly, it was evident that neither China nor Ghana recognised the right of an investor to submit the question of the existence and lawfulness of expropriation to international arbitration prior to 1989.
Claimant’s case on the Tribunal’s Jurisdiction
The Claimant opposed Ghana’s submissions and argued that the subject matter of the dispute fell under the jurisdiction of the Tribunal. The claimant argued that first, Article 10(1) of the China-Ghana Treaty provides that an arbitral tribunal has jurisdiction on “[a]ny dispute … concerning the amount of compensation for expropriation”; and second, the broad dispute resolution clauses contained in Ghana’s treaties with other countries apply in this dispute through the MFN clause contained in Article 3(2) of the Treaty.
According to the Claimant, Article 10(1) of the Treaty, when interpreted “in good faith in accordance with the ordinary meaning to be given to the terms of the treaty in their context and in the light of its object and purpose”, should be understood to include not only the question of the amount of compensation for expropriation (i.e. the question of quantum) but also the question of the unlawfulness of expropriation of the Claimant’s investment (i.e. the question of entitlement). The Claimant further argued that Articles 4(1)(a), 4(3) and 10(5) of the Treaty, read independently or jointly, do not require the Claimant to submit a claim for expropriation to the competent courts of Ghana. According to the Claimant, when the investment of a Chinese investor is expropriated by Ghana, Article 4(3) of the Treaty and Article 20(2) of the Constitution of Ghana simply give the investor an option (and not an obligation) to refer the matter to Ghanaian courts. The Claimant argued that the object and purpose of the Treaty support the Claimant’s case that an arbitral tribunal, under Article 10(1) of the Treaty, has jurisdiction to determine the question of both quantum and entitlement of expropriation.
The Claimant submitted that, according to the “most favoured nation” principle, the dispute resolution provisions of Ghana’s investment treaties with the United Kingdom (Article 10) and Denmark (Article 10) apply in the dispute between the Claimant and the Respondent and thus the Tribunal had jurisdiction over the Claimant’s claims in this arbitration.
Tribunal’s Decision
The Tribunal, upon an application of relevant principles of international investment law, came to the final decision that it does not have jurisdiction to decide the Claimant’s claims for expropriation under Article 10(1) of the Treaty.
The Tribunal stated that the ordinary meaning of Article 10(1) of the Treaty cannot be read as meaning to include the question of entitlement of expropriation. In this respect, the Tribunal noted the important qualification of the term “the amount of” prior to the terms “compensation for expropriation” as placing clear limitations on the scope of questions which can be referred to arbitration. The ordinary meaning of the phrase “concerning the amount of compensation for expropriation”, according to the Tribunal, does not include the question of entitlement or determination of whether expropriation has taken place in the first place.
Further, the Tribunal c considered that there is nothing in the China-Ghana Treaty to suggest that an investor would be precluded from referring the question of quantum to arbitration under Article 10(1) of the Treaty, once it had referred the question of lawfulness of expropriation to determination by a nation’s domestic court.
The Tribunal highlighted that it did not consider that a Contracting State may unilaterally preclude an investor from referring the matter of quantum of compensation for expropriation to international arbitration, after it has first referred the matter of entitlement to compensation or determination of expropriation, to national litigation.
The Tribunal held that the examination of the provision of Article 10(1) within the context of the China-Ghana Agreement suggested that the phrase “concerning the amount of compensation for expropriation” cannot be interpreted as vesting an arbitral tribunal with jurisdiction to decide the question of whether the expropriation is lawful or unlawful.
Thus, except for the limited scope of Article 10(1) concerning the quantum of compensation for expropriation, there is no provision which would give investors a distinct right to commence arbitration in respect of a breach of any substantive protection under the Treaty.
In conclusion, the Tribunal found that it did not have jurisdiction to decide the Claimant’s claims for expropriation under Article 10(1) of the Treaty. Also, the Tribunal considered that it did not have jurisdiction to decide the Claimant’s claims in the arbitration under Article 3 of the Treaty. The Tribunal also found that the most favoured nation provision in Article 3(2) of the Treaty cannot be used to extend the Tribunal’s jurisdiction to the Claimant’s claims in this arbitration.
Costs
In relation to Costs, the Tribunal noted that both Parties have sought their costs in respect of the arbitration to date. The Tribunal invited the Parties to directly confer and seek to agree on the issue of costs or, failing such agreement, to inform the Tribunal of their agreed format and timetable of their costs submissions within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Award. In the event that the Parties fail to agree on the issue of costs, the Tribunal will address the matter and issue an award on costs covering the arbitration proceedings to date.
Another arbitration case by Beijing Everyway
Concurrent with the proceedings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Beijing Everyway has instituted another arbitration seeking damages of at least US$55 million for the same subject matter at the London Court of International Arbitration. The Attorney-General has again raised objections in these proceedings, both to the procedure and the substance of the case at that forum, as well.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, has narrated how he fled from a corrupt act.
He says he has never taken a bribe, thus, he is not corrupt.
Speaking in an interview on Good Evening Ghana on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, Agyapong said that he will never engage in activities that will make him rich at the expense of the people of Ghana.
He then proceeded to narrate how he rejected a $3 million bribe from an Indian businessman who wanted to get a government project with his help.
“I met an Indian last week and he said there is a project that he thinks I can influence. The actual cost of the project is ($)26 million.
“The guy comes to say that he can do it for $9 (million) and of course as a businessman, he has to make a profit with whoever introduced him, $3 (million), making $12 (million). Then he said to me, I’m going to give you $3 million so I will add it to the $12 (million) to make $15 million and I said no to him.
“I said Ghana first, I don’t want the $3 million if you know you can do the job for $12 million so be it. The young men that come from America with their tickets and everything whatever you want to give to them it is okay but me I will not take any money,” he narrated.
Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, said that the business told him that he (Agyapong) is the only person, he has met in Africa who has rejected such a huge amount of money.
“The Indian man, who was there with his young engineer son, said wow, I have goose pimples. I have worked in Africa for 22 years and I have never seen an African reject $3 million like you did,” he said.
Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, has disclosed that investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, reported him to the United States (U.S) government over the death of Ahmed Hussein Suale.
Speaking in an interview with host of Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom Otchere, on January 31, 2023, he said he was stopped for about seven (7) hours at Houston sometime after the incident happened.
“They did their investigation and everything, and later they said go [after investigations proved futile]” he said.
Many pointed accusing fingers at the Assin Fosu MP, following the death of Ahmed Suale, an investigative journalist with the Tiger Eye P.I. The accusations were rife due to the fact that Mr Agyapong had earlier displayed an image of Mr Suale on his television network (NET 2 TV) and incited the public to brutalise him. Shortly after Mr Agyapong’s comments, Ahmed Suale was assassinated by unknown men.
To bring closure to the matter, Mr Agyapong has vowed to launch a full blown investigation into the murder and bring the culprits to book.
“Now , I believe in police. Competent police. All these investigations that they’ve done, nothing pointed to Kennedy Agyapong. Are you saying they [the police] are not competent? Well, what I will do if I’m President is to encourage the police and security agencies to go and investigate the matter and get to the bottom in order to get the actual culprit.
He suspects that Anas Aremeyaw Anas may be part of the culprits because of his reaction. “He [Anas] didn’t show remorse but if I’m elected today, whether the case is dead or not, I’ll bring it back again so that we can find the murderers,” he said.
A presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has refuted rumors that he will most likely withdraw from the party’s upcoming primary elections because he is acting on the instructions of another contender.
According to him, those claims are false and thus urged his teeming supporters to treat such reports with contempt.
He emphatically said that “Read my lips, I am not doing the bidding of anybody. I am genuinely contesting to become the President because I can do it better.”
He noted that “I am 62 years old, and I believe I am old and experienced enough to also contest and become the President of our country on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party in 2024”.
Speaking on Net2 TV, he insisted that his decision to become the president in 2024 on the ticket of the NPP is non-negotiable.
“I am surprised because the support is coming from angles and corners. Even those in NDC and my own NPP members are supporting my bid”.
“Some people that I don’t know in person, I am told, have erected my billboards in the Northern parts of the country to support my ambition”, he said with a smile on his face.
Sounding happy, he said other people have printed his (Kennedy’s) campaign T-Shirts and caps to help him, stressing that he would surely become president in 2024.
According to him, he would win the upcoming NPP presidential primaries and go ahead to win the ultimate (presidential elections), slated for December 2024.
On another engagement, speaking to a cross-section of his supporters in the United States, Agyapong stressed that he was more of a leader than a politician, explaining that as a leader, he was focused more on national development whereas politicians are focused on the next election.
He said, “I don’t want to be president for eight years, I only want to be president for four years, challenge me and see how it will be done, and there is a difference between a leader and a politician”.
“A leader is the one who thinks of the development of his country and takes bold decisions irrespective of the repercussions. And the politician is the one who thinks of tomorrow’s election and therefore is not bold to take decisions”.
“And so, I don’t think of tomorrow’s election, I think of today and how I can make a difference,” he stressed adding that even if he was going to spend the full eight-year constitutional term, “Ghanaians will decide after four years, I won’t be afraid, I will invest in Ghana and create employment for the youth,” he said to a loud applause.
Mr. Agyapong, who is hoping to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as leader of the NPP going into the 2024 elections has a hallmark of speaking truth to power without fear or favour irrespective of which political party is in power is a rare positive trait among his peers.
Former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu is optimistic of a complete win the NDC parliamentary elections for his Constituency.
Although he called for contenders to feel free to file nominations to contest him when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) holds parliamentary primaries in May, he m,entioned that none of his contenders will win more than 1% of the total votes cast.
Whiles giving hope to would-be aspirants, the Tamale South Member of Parliament assured that he would win re-election by a landslide touting his prowess and growing influence over the years.
“The Tamale South seat is free, it is open. When nominations open, you can come in. The only thing I can assure you is that you won’t get more than 5% of the votes or probably 2%. You won’t make more than five percent,” he told Evans Mensah on a Joy News programme.
Haruna has been in Parliament since 2008 when he joined the Fourth Parliament, he has since served in the 5th, 6th, 7th and in the current 8th Parliament.
He has also held a number of ministerial portfolios over the period, among others Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and the Ministry of Communications.
‘Powerful’ Haruna Iddrisu may go unopposed in primaries – Asiedu Nketiah
NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah all but endorsed Haruna Iddrisu to sail through upcoming primaries for the Tamale South seat.
Asiedu Nketiah said the MP, who is in his fifth term, had become so powerful in his constituency that it would even be surprising if he is contested at all when the primaries are held later this year.
“The outgone Minority Leader, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, he is so powerful in his constituency, he is almost always not contested at all. I have my doubts whether anybody will contest him,” Asiedu Nketiah told party faithful during a meeting in London.
The one-time General Secretary was addressing concerns that the January 23 changes to the party’s leadership in Parliament was going to affect some of the replaced leaders at the upcoming primaries.
The NDC will hold presidential and parliamentary primaries on May 13, 2023.
NDC rings changes in parliamentary leadership
The NDC, through its General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to announce the replacement of three members: the Minority Leader, the deputy Minority Leader, and the Minority Chief Whip.
The NDC picked Ato Forson to replace Haruna Iddrisu as leader of the Minority Caucus.
Other changes included Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembele, who is the new deputy Minority Chief Whip.
While Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, will replace Asawase MP Muntaka Mohammed as the Chief Whip.
Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda, has been maintained as the First deputy Minority Chief Whip, while Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, MP for Ada, is also retained as second deputy Minority Chief Whip.
On Sunday, January 22, 2023, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Kennedy Agyapong visited the Glorious Word Power Ministry International, a Christian denomination founded and led by Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah.
Kennedy Agyapong who was given the opportunity to share a sermon with the congregants built his preaching on the Bible’s position on how fake prophets will abound in the end times.
The Assin Central lawmaker referenced a 2019 campaign he embarked against some Christians leaders he believed to be charlatans who were parading as prophets.
Kennedy Agyapong said that some Christians misconstrued his crusade as one against the Christian faith explaining that he was doing what a good Christian ought to do which is expose people whose actions bring shame to the faith.
He stated emphatically that he believes in the Bible and is a devout Christian but will not sit unconcerned for some persons to fleece people in the name of Christianity.
“The topic I intend to teach is the same verse Reverend Owusu Bempah chose. In 2019, I started a crusade to expose pastors and prophets who are fake. Some of the affected persons were preaching that I was anti-Christ so when I went to certain churches, the pastors told me I was anti-Christ.
“The topic by Reverend Owusu Bempah shows you what I was trying to do. My first verse is 1st Kings 19:24-40 and it talks about Elijah and the Prophets of Baal. We are in the end times and that is exactly what we are experiencing.
“We have good prophets and bad ones. Just as the disciples asked Jesus to show them how to pray. We should ask Reverend Owusu Bempah how we can detect the good prophets. If he had lied, I would have exposed him but his topic aligns with mine. He has shown the difference between genuine prophets and bad ones,” he said.
Kennedy Agyapong’s visit to the Glorious Word Power Ministry International follows a similar visit to the Parliament House Chapel weeks back.
On December 31, 2022 Kennedy Agyapong visited the church owned by Prophet Amoako Atta who is on record to have prophesied that the Assin Central MP will one day run the affairs of this country.
Kennedy Agyapong is the second high-profile member of the NPP to have visited Reverend Owusu Bempah’s church after Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia on December 25, 2022.
Member of Parliament for the Assin Central,Kennedy Agyapong, has disclosed plans to increase tourism in the nation if he wins the presidency in 2024.
He outlined his tourism plans in an interview with cross section of journalists during his recent tour of the Central Region where his constituency is located.
Talking about potential of tourism
The Ken City Media owner addressed how he will tackle the perennial issue of dealing with the pollution of the Odaw river located in Accra.
The river canal which connects to the sea has become a major headache when it rains heavily, triggering flooding in the center of the city.
Agyapong lamented that whiles other places in the world benefit from the sea, Ghana is yet to fully tap into that area. He cited Dubai, South Africa’s Cape Town, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, Bahamas, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, as places making money from the sea.
Dealing with the Odaw River the Trump way
On the matter of the Odaw, he said: “Look at the Odaw River, the amount of dirt seeping into the sea, I will be like Donald Trump, I will build a long wall on both sides, so that nobody from his home will throw refuse into the Odaw which will end up in the sea.
“We will prevent it and clean the whole Odaw River and put boats on it, so that people will ride from Circle all the way to the sea, Jamestown,” he stressed.
He also spoke about plans for other tourist sites like Cape Coast and Elmina Castles.
Exit Parliament, presidential plans
Agyapong has through his campaign for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stressed that tourism and mechanized agriculture are the two main levers he will leverage to transform the economy.
He has been MP for Assin Central for over 20 years and has stated that he will not be seeking reelection.
His presidential ambition is barely a year old but his candidature is deemed to be one of the most popular along with that of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen.
Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has disclosed plans to deal with the ongoing problem of Accra’s Odaw River pollution.
When it rains heavily, the river canal that leads to the sea has turned into a huge issue since it causes flooding in the city’s core.
Mr Agyapong bemoaned the fact that whereas other regions of the world enjoy the benefits of the sea, Ghana has not yet properly utilized that resource. He mentioned several locations that profit from the sea, including Dubai, Cape Town in South Africa, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, the Bahamas, Antigua, and Trinidad and Tobago.
On the matter of the Odaw, he said: “Look at the Odaw River, the amount of dirt seeping into the sea, I will be like Donald Trump, I will build a long wall on both sides, so that nobody from his home will throw refuse into the Odaw which will end up in the sea.
“We will prevent it and clean the whole Odaw River and put boats on it, so that people will ride from Circle all the way to the sea, Jamestown,” he stressed.
He also spoke about plans for other tourist sites like Cape Coast and Elmina Castles.
While on a recent tour of the Central Region, where his constituency is located, he spoke with a number of journalists and discussed his goals for the tourism industry.
Mr Agyapong has emphasized mechanized agriculture and tourism as the two key tools he will use to transform the economy throughout his campaign for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership.
He has served as the Assin Central MP for more than 20 years, and he has made it clear that he will not run for reelection.
Though his campaign for president has only been underway for a year, along with that of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen, it is thought that his is one of the most well-liked.
Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, has revealed plans to boost tourism in the country if he is elected president after the 2024 elections.
He outlined his tourism plans in an interview with cross section of journalists during his recent tour of the Central Region where his constituency is located.
Talking about potential of tourism
The owner of Ken City Media addressed how he will tackle the perennial issue of dealing with the pollution of the Odaw river located in Accra.
The river canal which connects to the sea has become a major headache when it rains heavily, triggering flooding in the center of the city.
Agyapong lamented that whiles other places in the world benefit from the sea, Ghana is yet to fully tap into that area. He cited Dubai, South Africa’s Cape Town, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, Bahamas, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, as places making money from the sea.
Dealing with the Odaw River the Trump way
On the matter of the Odaw, he said: “Look at the Odaw River, the amount of dirt seeping into the sea, I will be like Donald Trump, I will build a long wall on both sides, so that nobody from his home will throw refuse into the Odaw which will end up in the sea.
“We will prevent it and clean the whole Odaw River and put boats on it, so that people will ride from Circle all the way to the sea, Jamestown,” he stressed.
He also spoke about plans for other tourist sites like Cape Coast and Elmina Castles.
Exit Parliament, presidential plans
Agyapong has through his campaign for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stressed that tourism and mechanized agriculture are the two main levers he will leverage to transform the economy.
He has been MP for Assin Central for over 20 years and has stated that he will not be seeking reelection.
His presidential ambition is barely a year old but his candidature is deemed to be one of the most popular along with that of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen.
He said that he cannot comprehend why the majority of the youth in Ghana are not in meaningful employment in spite of their educational attainment and skills.
Speaking in a UTV interview monitored by GhanaWeb, Ken Agyapong added that he has now come to the realisation that his vision for the youth and the country as a whole can only come to fruition with him as the president of Ghana.
“And I have realised that the vision I have for Ghana will only come to pass if I am the one leading the country. And that is why I have decided to contest.
“…I’m coming for the youth of this country. I feel so bad and guilty that my children in America get jobs as soon as they complete university. So, why is it that in Ghana our children have to be home for 6, 7 years or more after completing university before they get jobs?” he said in Twi.
He said that he believes in the youth of Ghana and their ability to thrive when given the needed opportunities, which will be one of his major aims as president.
In a recent interview with Joynews, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe questioned Kennedy Agyapong’s suitability and commitment to serve as the NPP’s flagbearer.
He asserts that while individuals like Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have a reputation for standing up for the party, the Assin Central MP does “I said what! What is Nyaho Tamakloe trying to say? In 2016 alone Kennedy Agypong and Kutin bought almost a hundred pickups. He paid a debt of $3 million for the NPP and that was even in the 90s,” Obiri Boahen said. “Tell me which of the 275 constituencies in Ghana have not felt the impact of Kennedy Agyapong? I am with Bawumia,
I am campaigning for Bawumia but it doesn’t mean I should sit aloof if someone says something about Bawumia’s competitor and I have details about it,” he added. Mr Obiri Boahen noted that contrary to his claims, it is rather Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe who has no track record of commitment to the party. “Recently did Kennedy Agyapong not donate nine thousand bags of rice? Has Nyaho Tamakloe donated even a cup of rice before?” he questioned. Describing Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe as disgraced, the former deputy communications director said Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe has no basis to issue such criticism since he is no longer a member of the NPP. “On what basis? Nyaho Tamakloe just like Wereko Brobbey has been dismissed. If Kennedy Agyapong is contesting he needs the vote of NPP persons so where do you come in? “Some journalists keep referring to him as a founding member. At what point in time? If he is, we have dismissed him from NPP so please they should stop that,” he stated. The NPP later this year is expected to elect a flagbearer. Already,
Kennedy Agyapong, former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong and former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko have all announced their intent to contest as the party’s flagbearer. Last week two ministers in the current government resigned ahead of the NPP’s flagbearer elections. Former Trade and Industry Minister, John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen announced his intent to contest after resigning while former Minister for Agriculture, Dr Afriyie Akoto is yet to make an official announcement after resigning. However, Vice President Bawumia who is yet to officially announce his bid is deemed one of the lead contenders in the race to elect a flagbearer of the NPP.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central Kennedy Agyapong has been justifying why he deserves to lead the party in 2024.
He claims he has committed a lot of sacrifices for the party including paying off a loan of $3 million with interest that the party contracted when the party had nothing in the year 1992.
“I paid the loan with interest, and it took us eight years, Super Care Company LTD; my company took eight years to pay back the loan with interest. Three million dollars at that time plus interest in 1992. Even today as we speak, $3 million is a lot of money how much more 31 years ago.” Kennedy Agyapong said this in an interview with NET 2 TV.
According to the businessman, when the party won the elections in 2001 after a long struggle. However, Former President John Agyakum Kufuor never left him out and he is always grateful to him.
“That is why I will always give credit to President Kufuor. When he came to power, for the first four years I didn’t get any job to do, so when I went to tell him about it, he was shocked.
Kennedy Agyapong added that he purchased pickups for the NPP during elections.
“In 2004, Myself and Mr. Oppong, we bought 100 pick-ups for the party. In 2008 myself and Oppong again bought 240 TATA pick-ups for the NPP for every constituency” he claimed.
In a video posted by Oman Media and seen by GhanaWeb, a presidential candidate declared that while he has created thousands of jobs that will employ people, his rivals cannot say the same.
“… someone who can start businesses and provide jobs for everyone. I implore you to ask all the contestants how many jobs they have already created to employ our children even though you want to be president.
At least I have 7,158 people I have employed as workers. All the candidates coming, ask who amongst them has employed at least 300 workers,” he stated.
“ If you know the thinking people do, like this Christmas period having to pay my workers and the attached bonus. There is hardship in the country and money is hard to come by but I had to pay bonuses because the hardship is being felt in their homes and you can’t decide not to pay bonuses. I did not receive pay, I had to sacrifice my salary to make sure that my workers are happy.
“So I do know how you are suffering. My mother sitting here is old and does not have the strength to work but if her son is employed she can say that she didn’t join NPP in vain. But sitting there now nothing shows her party is in power because when her son is seeking for police, immigration, fire service or prisons service recruitment he won’t get,” he added.
The ruling NPP will later this year elect a flagbearer in the hopes of securing a victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Ahead of the election, the likes of Kennedy Agyapong who is currently the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, the outgoing Minister for Trade and Industry Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia have emerged as the frontrunners.
While Vice President Bawumia and Mr Kyerematen have received endorsements from several figures within the current government and the ruling party, Kennedy Agyapong has noted that such endorsements are motivated by individual interests.
“These same people are coming to you asking that you vote for them. The MPs and ministers leading that and telling you whom to vote for are only seeking their self-interest. They behave and act as if they are the only ones created by God to enjoy. So they are coming to tell you whom to vote for amidst coercion but I am telling you bluntly that it should not today that you are going to allow someone to coerce you to vote for someone. They saw you suffer and it will not be today that they are going to tell you whom to vote for,” he stated.
Potential flagbearer candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has questioned the skill of his competitors in the forthcoming party election.
In a video shared by Oman Media and sighted by GhanaWeb, the presidential hopeful speaking to some delegates of the party noted that while he has created jobs to employ thousands, same cannot be said for his competitors.
“… someone who can create businesses for everyone to get employment. For all those coming to compete, I urge you to inquire from them that you want to be president but how many jobs have you created thus far to employ our children?
At least I have 7,158 people I have employed as workers. All the candidates coming, ask who amongst them has employed at least 300 workers,” he stated.
According to the businessman, he shares in the struggles of the electorates amidst the current economic hardship.
“ If you know the thinking people do, like this Christmas period having to pay my workers and the attached bonus. There is hardship in the country and money is hard to come by but I had to pay bonuses because the hardship is being felt in their homes and you can’t decide not to pay bonuses. I did not receive pay, I had to sacrifice my salary to make sure that my workers are happy.
“So I do know how you are suffering. My mother sitting here is old and does not have the strength to work but if her son is employed she can say that she didn’t join NPP in vain. But sitting there now nothing shows her party is in power because when her son is seeking for police, immigration, fire service or prisons service recruitment he won’t get,” he added.
The ruling NPP will later this year elect a flagbearer in the hopes of securing a victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Ahead of the election, the likes of Kennedy Agyapong who is currently the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, the outgoing Minister for Trade and Industry Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia have emerged as the frontrunners.
While Vice President Bawumia and Mr Kyerematen have received endorsements from several figures within the current government and the ruling party, Kennedy Agyapong has noted that such endorsements are motivated by individual interests.
“These same people are coming to you asking that you vote for them. The MPs and ministers leading that and telling you whom to vote for are only seeking their self-interest. They behave and act as if they are the only ones created by God to enjoy. So they are coming to tell you whom to vote for amidst coercion but I am telling you bluntly that it should not today that you are going to allow someone to coerce you to vote for someone. They saw you suffer and it will not be today that they are going to tell you whom to vote for,” he stated.
Members of the East Legon Executive club, have held a lavish New Year party at their main office in Accra.
The men uniformly rocked a white pair of long sleeves with trousers, berets and suspenders at the party which took place on January 1, 2023.
Notable among those present were Dr. Kwame Osei Despite, Kennedy Agyapong, Sammy Osei Kuffour and many others.
Showbiz personalities including Nana Ama McBrown and her husband, Kofi Kinaata, Abeiku Santana, Michael Blackson and others were also spotted having a good time at the gathering.
They danced the night away and treated themselves to performances from artistes including Kofi Kinaata and so on.
Viral videos from the event stirred interesting comments, particularly about how some patrons at the event suffered wardrobe malfunctions.
Other critics described the outfit worn by the ‘big men’ as inappropriate adding that such fits are meant for young men and teenagers.
A potential flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has stated that if elected president, he will take steps to regularize galamsey.
Speaking in an Nsem PII TV video sighted by GhanaWeb, Ken Agyapong said that he is not going to destroy the business of galamseyers but rather provide them with the needed training and legalise their activities so that they can mine in an environmentally friendly way.
“The way galamseyers are destroying our water bodies, they should be registered under one body so that they can be regulated to make sure that they don’t destroy our forest, they don’t destroy our water bodies.
“When I come (become president), I will not say that their (the galamseyers’) work should be destroyed but we are going to regularise them, legalise their activities and give them the needed training,” he said Twi.
Ken Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, who was interacting with some Ghanaians in Nevada, USA, insisted that just as small-scale mining is done in America without destroying the environment, it can also be done in Ghana.
He added that allowing Ghanaians to own small-scale mining sites is better than fronting for foreigners to mine illegally.
The MP also said that one of the main reasons why galamsey is prevalent in Ghana is because there is no political will to stop it.
He added that politicians from both the NPP and the opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC), are involved in the menace.
A member of parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticized the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration’s National Buildings Corps (NABCO) initiative as a poor choice of strategy.
According to him, most of the trainees under the programme, who were posted to government agencies, were paid for no work done.
Speaking to some Ghanaians in Nevada, USA, in an audio-visual shared by Nsem Pii TV, Ken Agyapong said that the government should have used the money for the programme to establish factories that will provide decent employment to Ghanaian youth.
“The youth must take their destiny into their own hands, (but) then again, what police did we implement (to help with unemployment)? I think that we made was with the introduction of NABCO.
“NABCO trainees were posted to government offices and ministries where they were doing nothing and being paid GH¢700 every month.
“The money the government used (for NABCO) could have been used to establish industries that could have provided 20,000 permanent employment out of the 100,000 trainees to reduce the number of unemployed youth,” he said in Twi.
Agyapong, who has indicated his intention of contesting in the presidential primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), noted that President Akufo-Addo should be praised for some of his policy initiatives, including the One District, One Factory programme.
Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP) and flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party, Kennedy Agyapong has declared that he is not desperate to become president.
The lawmaker who is into business and media has stressed that he will, however, not settle for a vice presidential slot if he fails to achieve the ultimate goal.
He explained that mush as he wants to serve society through politics, he won’t function properly if he has a boss who doesn’t share his vision.
“The truth is, I am not a politician who feels that without becoming president I will die. I have enough to live on and so I am here to serve but to want to serve with a vision and there is someone ahead of me who doesn’t share my vision, I prefer to stay away.
“Because if I say this is what I have experienced and want to change and I have gone to the remotest part of India … where common sugarcane is being leveraged on to generate even electricity.
“If I say we should use sugar and its extractives to generate electricity but if your president doesn’t share your vision and wants to suppress me with English, English, I won’t get that patience,” he told a gathering on his ongoing tour of the United States.
He formally launched his flagbearership campaign over the weekend reemphasizing how he would turn around Ghana’s economy.
He reiterated boosting mechanized agriculture and tourism as the main drivers of the economy if he realizes his dream of becoming president.
With respect to tourism, Agyapong harped on the need to leverage on Ghana’s coastline to attract tourists especially with the castles and other monuments dotted along the coast.
Agyapong is hoping to succeed president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as leader of the NPP going into the 2024 elections.
Prominent names that have popped up in the race include: Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and Agric Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto – none of them have officially declared their intent.
Kennedy Agyapong and former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyapong as well as one-time Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko, have publicly declared their intention to run for the position.
Lawyer Maurice Ampaw has called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to disqualify the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, from the party’s presidential primaries for the 2024 elections.
According to Maurice Ampaw, the MP, who has stated his intention to contest in the NPP flagbearership race, must be disqualified because of some of his pronouncements and actions against some state institutions.
Speaking in an interview on Nsem Pii TV, which was monitored by GhanaWeb, the lawyer added that Ken Agyapong’s pronouncements against the judiciary show that he cannot be a good leader.
“Ken Agyapong, once you insult a judge, you have insulted my profession. I can’t forgive; I will not vote for you; you can’t be my flagbearer. We need flagbearers who will be responsible enough to learn to be humble.
“…when it comes to vetting, as to who should stand for the NPP (in the upcoming election), you have to disqualify Ken Agyapong on so many grounds and one of the groups is that he is anti-judiciary.
“I’m just being honest with you because if someone wants to be a flagbearer and the person is on record insulting a judge, on record saying that there would be a coup, how do you qualify such a person?” He said in Twi.
He added that should the party let Ken Agyapong contest in the primaries and he wins, Ghanaians will vote against the NPP because of the MP’s actions and previous pronouncements.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong described as “stupid” a decision by a judge to grant an injunction against him without conducting due diligence.
The MP says he has a vendetta against such judges in the country who abuse their power in the line of duty.
Speaking on the Seat Show of Net 2 TV on Tuesday, September 2, 2020, Mr. Agyapong said his apparent anger against such judges stems from their baseless issuance of injunctions, especially when it comes to land dispute adjudications.
“Listen to the reason why I am angry. The lawyer wrote the thing on August 5, and the judge scheduled appearance for August 13. I didn’t get anything from them; then, on September 1, you granted an injunction on the property.
“You are a stupid judge; I will face you. You are a stupid judge. 18 years that I’ve had the land, nobody served me, and then I get called and told that an injunction has been placed on it. You are a stupid judge,” he declared.
Musician and activist, Kwame Asare Obeng alias A Plus, has stated that he will only support the New Patriotic Party in the 2024 elections if the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, is made the party’s flagbearer.
According to A Plus who describes himself as a disgruntled member of the NPP, he is unsatisfied with the work of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo whose government is from NPP.
“Nana Addo is someone I like; I have never been more pained by a person’s action than Asamoah Gyan. Asamoah Gyan is someone I like but I am pained that he missed the penalty that doesn’t make him a bad person. So for Nana Addo, I like him but there are shortfalls in his work and that doesn’t make him a bad person or someone I hate. It is his work that I have issues with,” A Plus told Afia Amankwa Tamakloe on her Máhy3ase3 TV Show.
“I am a disgruntled family member. Today Nana Addo is aware that Chairman Wontumi’s company is mining at an unapproved location and he is not doing anything about it,” A Plus added.
The activist noted that he was introduced into the NPP at an early age by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko who thought him to be outspoken hence his ability to criticise the government of his own party.
“It is Gabby who thought us how to be outspoken and the day I will stop being outspoken will be the day Gabby would call me to. We have followed him from a very young age, it was gabby who held my hand and introduced me to NPP,” he said.
Asked by the host if he will support the NPP in the next elections, A Plus said he will only do so if Kennedy Agyapong is the flagbearer of the party.
“If Kennedy Agyapong will be the flagbearer… Everyone in Ghana knows honourable Ken is my man, he is just like me. Every guy man in Ghana likes him because he is the president of all guymen. It is not me alone, a lot of people also expect him to be the flagbearer,” he stated.
Vice President Dr Mahamamudu Bawumia is tipped to contest the party’s flagbearership but according to A Plus, the Vice President he has equal affinity for the vice president as he is also part of the government.
“Bawumia is with those I don’t like. He is with the current government and I don’t like the current type of governance. I can’t be a liar and I can’t keep mute because I am enjoying,” he said
He added that the NPP has no chance against the NDC if any candidate apart from Kennedy Agyapong is fielded as the party’s flagbearer.
“NPP’s chances will depend on their flagbearer. I am sure the NDC will bring Mahama again; John Mahama versus Kennedy Agyapong is El Classico, Real Madrid versus Barcelona.
“With Kennedy, the fight will be fair and equal,” he added.
Former Lawra MP Anthony Karbo has denied allegations made by Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, that Karbo and others prevented Agyapong from interacting with people while he was touring the northern regions.
Agyapong, who is vying for the position of NPP flagbearer, is alleged to have accused Karbo and other people, whom he claims are Bawumia associates, of preventing him (Agyapong) from meeting supporters in the area.
Karbo highlighted that neither he nor the vice president’s aides had committed any such crime in a post on his verified social media account that addressed some of the accusations made against his person.
“It was also clear that none of the associates of the Vice President or myself had attempted to influence any party official in the North not to attend the meeting called by Hon. Kennedy Agyapong,” Karbo said of a conciliatory meeting that had been called on the allegations.
Other denials he made related to his involvement in tribal politics, ownership of a house in the United States and the fact that he had reportedly apologized to AAgyapong at the said meeting.
Read his full post below:
On the Matter of Hon Kennedy Agyapong: His Northern Region Tour and Issues Arrising.
I have become aware of a viral audio recording of Hon. Kennedy Agyapong in which the MP was campaigning in the Upper East Region. The audio, among other things, attempted to accuse me of embarking on Tribal Campaign, impugning corruption on my part as a Former MP and Deputy Minister, and suggested underhand dealings of persons believed to be working for Vice President to prevent the Hon. Kennedy Agyapong from meeting Party members in the North.
In the interest of party unity and peace, a meeting was arranged with Hon. Kennedy Agyapong to delve into the accusations/allegations and also clarify the misinformation. The meeting was attended by Mr KT Hammond, Fred Oware, Dr Gideon Boako and myself.
It was a good and fruitful meeting and in the end it was clarified at the meeting that, I, Anthony Karbo had NOT embarked on any Tribal Campaign as alleged and wish to put on record that TRIBAL POLITICS is not part of my personality and political activism. All my life I have enjoyed the support of persons irrespective of where they hail from and reciprocated same.
The Hon. Kennedy Agyapong himself will attest to this fact given my long standing relationship with him spanning decades which is public knowledge.
It was also clear that none of the associates of the Vice President or myself had attempted to influence any party official in the North not to attend the meeting called by Hon. Kennedy Agyapong.
Also, contrary to a published story on Net2tvonline that the meeting was a platform for me and the Vice President’s office to apologise to Hon Kennedy Agyapong, I wish to state without equivocation that no one at the said meeting apologised to the other. It was a brotherly family meeting intended to clear the misinformation and both pledging to organise ourselves in a more peaceful and docorous manner as we approach the internal contest.
We are one family and we commit to unite in one accord for the betterment of the New Patriotic Party.
Anthony Abayifaa Karbo
Fmr. MP and Deputy Minister
Kennedy Agyapong, a member of Assin Central, has been meeting with New Patriotic Party (NPP) members from various circles as well as other stakeholders as part of his preliminary preparation for a presidential campaign.
He spoke what he claimed to be the “gospel truth” during one of these gatherings.
Take a listen to the audio file from the Graphic online
“When your fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you. When you were making that statement, the exchange was GH¢4.20p. On Friday, it was GH¢15.00 to a dollar.
“What message do you want to give to Ghanaians again? Let me tell you; I’m telling you this straight; I’m saying all these things because of [something]…from March this year to August this year, through the exchange rate, I lost $12 million,” Kennedy Agyapong said in a viral audio in GhanaWeb’s possession.
Kennedy Agyapong is one of the leading figures gunning to replace president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as leader of the NPP going into the 2024 General Elections.
Others rumoured to be interested in becoming flagbearers include Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen. The primaries are slated for next year.
Ken Agyapong takes on Bawumia over ‘fundamentals are weak’ comment
Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has stated that between March and August 2022, he lost roughly $12 million due to the cedi’s fall against the dollar.
He claims that the vice president has no new message for Ghanaians after criticizing the John Dramani Mahama administration in 2014 and saying that “if the foundations are weak, the exchange rate will expose you.”
Agyapong said that when Dr. Bawumia made those remarks, the exchange rate was GH4.20p to a dollar. He was addressing to select party members as part of his campaign for flagbearership of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Martin Amidu has taken on Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin over recent comments Bagbin made on the floor of Parliament relative to his experience in Parliamentary democracy.
He accused the Speaker of behaving somewhat like a village chief who was treating Ghanaians and Members of Parliament like his subjects.
The former Special Prosecutor also admonished Bagbin to stay off boasting about his credentials and to allow colleagues and others who have known him overtime to do so.
Amidu’s views were contained in an epistle titled; ‘Games in Parliament – The Speaker and the Minority’s Motion of Censure.’
It read in part: “Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin needs to be told to stop talking down on Ghanaians as though he is a village chief and we, his subjects.
“No humble, learned, erudite, and experienced person will ever seek to silence his critics in a constitutional democracy by telling them that: ‘In all humility, please note that there is deep thought in whatever I do. Don’t underrate my knowledge, skills, experience, and expertise in Parliamentary practice and procedure.’
“It is for the public or one’s professional peer group, to determine one’s level of knowledge, skills, experience, and expertise and not for one to subjectively assert them and trumpet his competencies to the world,” the statement added.
Amidu also pointed to Justice D. F. Annan, the first Speaker of the Fourth Republic, to emphasise how someone who has not been an MP distinguished himself as a Speaker.
He charged Bagbin to take a lead from his predecessors and maintain his role as an umpire in the affairs of the House and stop acting like what he termed “a transactional member” of the House.
“The conduct of Mr. Bagbin in the processes leading up to the passage of the 2022 Budget Statement and subsequent Appropriation Act, 2022 and the current motion of censure filed by the Minority Caucus of Parliament against the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta vindicate the assertion that Mr. Bagbin behaves more as a transactional Member of Parliament than the Speaker of Parliament as an umpire,” Martin Amidu argued.
Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has taken his campaign for flagbearership of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the Ashanti Region.
He delivered an address to a cross-section of traders at the Race Course market in the region, calling for their support and outlining plans that he had to support their business and welfare.
“There is hope, let’s keep hope alive. I will consult with all relevant stakeholders to see how best we can help you. When I come to a place like this, I try to avoid politics.
“But I am being told to share my aim for this visit. All I am saying is that, come 2024, I will lead the NPP,” he said to loud applause.
The KenCity Media boss also underlined his credentials as someone with a background in trading: “Leaders have come and gone, none of them had a mother who was a trader. My mother sold things at Okaishie.
“I know your struggles and how you suffer to cater for your children, so I am a product of trading and of the street. So, I will do all it takes to protect the interest of women,” he stressed.
He also promised to support the market with 200 pieces of streetlights and poles to beef up security in the area as well as lobby the Roads Minister to look into the plight of traders relative to the nature of roads.
He also promised to look into the issue of MASLOC loans that had not reached a section of the traders. Agyapong was well received at the premises by hundreds of traders who cheered him.
Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong has told his fellow MPs in the majority caucus who intend to boycott Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s 2023 budget on Thursday, 24 November 2022 that: “It is not the time to play political games or feed egos”.
The 98 New Patriotic Party MPs insist President Nana Akufo-Addo sack his cousin for messing up the economy or they would have nothing to do with him as far as government business on the floor of parliament is concerned.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, however, Mr Agyapong told his adamant fellow majority caucus MPs that their insistence on boycotting the budget reading despite the leadership of the caucus agreeing to give the president up the passage of the budget and conclusion of the ongoing bailout talks with the IMF, “means no more than an attempt to blackmail or unduly force the hands of the president and, or undermine his authority and agenda for Ghanaians”.
“That cannot be right”, he condemned, adding: “The president is our leader and deserves the full benefit of the doubt – if any”.
“In any case”, Mr Agyapong noted: “We have all been elected as Members of Parliament to serve the best interests of the people of our individual and collective constituencies”.
“Given the crippling economic crisis facing the people of Ghana and their businesses, it is the highest level of insensitivity toward the plight of our nation and her people for any elected representative or group of elected representatives to use their public offices to attempt to hold hostage efforts to address the economic problems facing all of us,” Mr Agyapong indicated.
Read Mr Kennedy Agyapong’s full statement:
Statement by Kennedy Agyapong calling on all Majority Members of Parliament to Attend and Participate fully in the 2023 Budget Presentation, related discussions, debate and approval.
The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is expected to present to Parliament the 2023 Budget and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
Mr Ofori-Atta will be presenting the budget to Parliament for and on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the authority of Article 179(1) of Ghana’s Constitution of 1992, which commands the President to “cause to be prepared and laid before Parliament at least one month before the end of the financial year, estimates of the revenues and expenditure of the Government of Ghana for the following financial year.”
Over the last few days, however, I have become aware of a troubling public declaration of intention by some aggrieved New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament that they will neither attend Thursday’s sitting of Parliament nor have anything to do with subsequent Parliamentary discussions and debate on the 2023 Budget should Mr Ofori-Atta be the Minister presenting it to the House.
The said MPs have openly stated that they will only attend proceedings if Mr Ofori-Atta, who they – rightly or wrongly – blame for the country’s prevailing economic difficulties, is removed from office. I find the said public declarations not only unfortunate but regrettable.
I know fully well that calls for the sacking of Mr Ofori-Atta reached the President in September, and he has given assurances that he will revisit the matter after the Budget presentation and a successful end to Ghana’s ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The leadership of the Majority Group later issued a statement agreeing to the President’s request. Therefore, the insistence by some MPs that they will not attend Thursday’s proceedings means no more than an attempt to blackmail or unduly force the hands of the President and or undermine his authority and agenda for Ghanaians. That cannot be right. The President is our leader and deserves the full benefit of the doubt if any.
In any case, we have all been elected as Members of Parliament to serve the best interests of the people of our individual and collective constituencies. Given the crippling economic crisis facing the people of Ghana and their businesses, it is the highest level of insensitivity towards the plight of our nation and her people for any elected representative or group of elected representatives to use their public offices to attempt to hold hostage efforts to address the economic problems facing all of us.
Instead, the patriotic, urgent, compassionate and proper thing to do is first to help the government pass its budget and then later confront and address, if we must, the issue of who is fit or not fit to lead the Ministry of Finance.
These are very challenging global times, with escalating energy and food prices pushing millions in Africa and elsewhere into extreme poverty and threatening the internal security of many nations, including ours. Ghanaians need, therefore, their elected representatives to show up for work and help them survive the worsening global economic turmoil. It is not the time to play political games or feed egos.
I firmly believe that if there is ever any time that Ghanaians expect us to do our duty to Ghana unconditionally, it is now. We must not and cannot sacrifice that responsibility to our people on the side issue of who presents the 2023 Budget to Parliament.
Let us show leadership and demonstrate solidarity with the struggling masses of our people by turning out in our numbers to support the President’s proposed plan to put Ghana back on the path of economic recovery and triumph.
Every NPP MP has to preserve and ensure that the agenda of the Akufo-Addo government for Ghana succeeds, otherwise, the people of Ghana would have no reason to return the NPP to power in 2024.
By this statement, I am also calling on the good people of Ghana to keep the faith and trust that the NPP government has the right plan, strategy, and requisite expertise to steer our country out of the prevailing economic headwinds.
Private legal practitioner, Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo has described the latest documentary by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and titled “Galamsey economy” as an entrapment.
President Akufo-Addo terminated the appointment of the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry Charles Adu Boahen in connection with the investigative piece.
“After being made aware of the allegations levelled against the Minister in the exposé, “Galamsey Economy”, the President spoke to Mr. Adu Boahen, after which he took the decision to terminate his appointment, and also to refer the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations,” the statement of his termination said.
Reacting to the development on Asaase 99.5 Accra’s news analysis and current affairs show – The Forum – on Saturday (19 November), Addo said the Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng cannot handle the case.
Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo
“Journalism isn’t about trapping people,” Addo said. “It’s not about setting people up. It’s about filming people in their natural state; that is why I sued the GJA [Ghana Journalists’ Association] for awarding him [Anas] Journalist of the Year. I’m happy that Kennedy Agyapong went out there.”
“Now there are rules, but I think we need to do more. Journalists need to do more. What I see is not journalism, it’s entrapment.
“I don’t think Kissi Agyebeng will be able to handle this thing because he was Anas’s private lawyer and his firm still represents him,” Addo said.
Misleading piece
Speaking on the same programme, the deputy general secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko described the investigative piece as misleading.
Dr Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko
“I find something wrong with the legality of the whole exposé. I think that an investigative piece professionally and legally is based on fact. Some of the things being said in the voiceover, where are they from?” she asked.
About 8 months ago, MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, sounded a word of caution to members of the New Patriotic Party.
He asked that NPP members tread carefully in matters relating to him, or else he was going to unveil a video from investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw he has from 2018.
According to him, but for his intervention, the investigative journalist would have aired an investigative piece that showed a minister receiving some amount of money.
In a video posted on NET2 television on its YouTube channel on February 23, 2022, the MP asked members of the NPP to be careful in their dealings with him (Agyapong) since he is the “saviour” of the party.
“Anybody who tries to disgrace me, the information I’ll bring out, from Anas, the sin he was going to commit against us that I stopped. Anas was going to show a video where he has given the minister money on a table like this but he was not going to show that he had planned with people that it was a political fight in 2018,” Kennedy Agyapong said.
He also detailed how Anas coached persons he picked up on the streets of Dubai, and coached and assigned them to set up Ghanaian businessmen and ministers.
He said: “If you dare me, I’ll release Anas’ video. I swear to God. If the NPP does not tread carefully and they talk, Yaw Buabeng Asamoah. You have to be careful else I’ll bring the party down completely. If I bring the video and see if you’ll get even one Ghanaian to vote for us.”
Speaking further he said “What Anas did as far back as February 8, 2018, when Anas set our businessmen and ministers up in Dubai. The only person in Authority I wanted to prove something to, about how I have saved this party and not a jerk like Yaw Buabeng Asamoah. In the course of the investigation, I chanced on the video where Anas was coaching people, and even the people he was coaching themselves panicked.
“The people he wanted to use against our ministers and businessmen, Arabs he picked up on the street. He picks them on the street, and coaches them to destroy personalities in this country, Africa, and everywhere. That is what Anas was doing,” he added.
Kennedy Agyapong also stated that what Anas sought to do was influenced by a political fight with the NPP.
“Do you know what Anas did, he gave them the questions to ask the businessmen and the ministers, they panicked and Anas asked them; Why are you afraid, this is a political fight, I have done it before.
“Anas has a political fight with NPP. If NPP makes a mistake, they know they cannot sacrifice me in the party, I’ll bring the video up and see if the NPP can even survive up to 3 months. As I speak to you, I’ve given copies of the video to the persons who were set up and they have admitted. NPP always wants to sacrifice me when there is an issue, they don’t know that I am the one saving this party,” he told the host.
Earlier this week, investigative agency, Tiger Eye PI aired an investigative piece named “Galamsey Economy.”
Before the televising of the piece, snippets were shared, which showed a now-former Minister of State Charles Adu-Boahen in a meeting with some potential investors.
The minister was heard telling investors that to be able to meet the Vice-President, they would have to pay an “appearance fee” of $200,000.
After the release, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo terminated his appointment.
He explained that although he attempted to stamp his authority on absenteeism he could not succeed in that action.
“I admit that I was not successful in dealing with absenteeism within the lawmakers during my tenure as Speaker of Parliament even though I attempted to stamp my authority on the menace,” Prof. Oquaye bemoaned.
He indicated that regarding the issues involving Sarah Adwoa Safo, the MP for Dome-Kwabenya Constituency, Henry Quartey, MP for Ayawaso Central Constituency, both in the Greater Accra Region and Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central Constituency in the Central Region, who absented themselves from Parliament for more than 15 days, confessed that he did not really succeed in absenteeism.
“I must confess that one area which I did not really succeed in is absenteeism in the House, I did not succeed in tackling it and I did not succeed in tackling punctuality but I did it a while and stopped which was unfortunate and also I did not succeed in ensuring that there was even a record of how lawmakers voted,” he said.
“Members must vote in a certain direction, we had two former Members of Parliament contesting for president, who were John Dramani Mahama and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo unlike United States when Barack Obama’s record was brought out as a Senator but we do not have that in the country.”
“It is also important to have these issues because you want to know for instance, if you want to be president, what is your record on women and your record on oil,” Prof. Oquaye pointed out.
He hinted there would be an era where the two sides would have no option but to rely solely on consensus building to get proceedings in Parliament regarding disagreements in the House so as to develop because there would be no alternative to consensus building in relation to the move by the Minority to vote out Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance.
Ghanaian music sensation, Kofi Kinaata is set to thrill patrons at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar slated for 21st November to 18th December, 2022.
Organized by Kenpong Travel and Tours, Ghanaian fans expected to travel to Qatar for the month-long football festival would be treated to an incredible fan experience filled with boundless excitement.
Chief Executive Officer of Kenepong Travel and Tours, Kennedy Agyapong (Kenpong) on Wednesday, reached an agreement with the camp of the award-winning hip-life artist, paving the way for him to entertain Ghanaian fans during the Mundial, sources familiar with the arrangement have disclosed.
Kofi Kinaata,whose real name is Martin King Arthur is set to perform at all eight venues across the five cities in Qatar, as football-loving fans throw their weight behind the Black Stars, who are one of Africa’s five representatives in the tournament.
Some of his hit songs include, “Obi Ne Ba” “Sweetie-pie” “Confession” “Things Fall Apart” “Thy Grace.”
“Kinaata is a wonderful musician who has mastered his craft, so he would add colour to the tournament.
“We all know his exploits, his talent and his immense contribution to the industry in recent years. We settled on him to give patrons a wonderful experience,” an unnamed official said in a telephone interview.
However, reports say the East Legon Executive Fitness Club, led by their president, Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong and assisted by Dr. Osei Kwame Despite and other members have made payments for the platinum package, as they consider their support for the Black Stars as part of their civic responsibilities.
The exclusive travel and tour company was appointed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) to organise Ghanaian football fans to the Qatar World Cup.
Kenpong Travel and Tours has shown over the years that it has the experience and proven track record for organising supporters to major sporting events such as the World Cup, Olympic Games, boxing bouts etc.
Fans wanting to travel for the November showpiece will need GH¢37,443.4 ($4,710), the cheapest of the packages.
The $4,710 package comes with no feeding while in Qatar, it also covers economy class flight tickets, accommodation of four persons in a room, Category Two tickets for Ghana group matches, COVID-19 testing, travel insurance, medicals, internal transport and police report.
The most expensive package christened Platinum Category A- GH¢84,350 ($10,610) covers business class flight tickets, feeding, single occupancy accommodation in a five-star hotel, Category One tickets for Ghana group matches, COVID-19 testing, travel insurance, medicals, internal transport and a police report.
The outspoken congressman demanded immediate action by reconsidering plans, policies, and programs to guarantee Ghana gets weaned off contributions and outside help without going into detail about the facts of his accusation.
“The economy is tough and business is tough. I would be dishonest if I sat here and claimed differently. I have to acknowledge that times are difficult.
“But there is hope and what we should bear in mind is that it is situations like this that births inventions and innovations,” he stressed.
He related to pragmatic policies citing the touted policies of Dan Lartey’s Great Consolidated Popular Party, GCPP, and the Acheampong era. “We should put policies in place to help us live as normal human beings created by God.
He also referred to a list of imports and how much it costs, advancing thus, “let us address the importation of certain goods, import substitutions and build more factories,” citing how the 1D1F projects can help build an export-oriented economy as compared to the import-dependent one Ghana is grappling with.
Later that morning, a group of NPP MPs held a press conference demanding the removal of the Finance Minister over his management of the economy and the hard times that citizens were facing.
President Akufo-Addo intervened and got a concession on two grounds, that the Minister be allowed to conclude initial talks with the International Monetary Fund and present the 2022 budget and see to passage of its appropriation.
The president has also addressed the nation on the economic challenges and how the government intends to tackle them.
Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, has admitted that things are hard under the present economic conditions, especially so for businesses.
Without enumerating the specifics of his claim, the outspoken lawmaker called for decisive action by way of rethinking plans, policies and programmes to ensure Ghana is weaned off donations and external support.
Agyapong was speaking on the October 25 edition of Net2 TV’s Morning Show programme.
“Business is tough, the economy is tough. If I sit here and say it is otherwise, I will be lying. I must admit that things are tough.
“But there is hope and what we should bear in mind is that it is situations like this that births inventions and innovations,” he stressed.
He said Ghana needs to reset and recalibrate economic models because “everyone the world over is taking care of themselves and to that end, we cannot depend solely on donations and handouts. It is time to review our policies and programmes and be bold.”
He related to pragmatic policies citing the touted policies of Dan Lartey’s Great Consolidated Popular Party, GCPP, and the Acheampong era. “We should put policies in place to help us live as normal human beings created by God.
He also referred to a list of imports and how much it costs, advancing thus, “let us address the importation of certain goods, import substitutions and build more factories,” citing how the 1D1F projects can help build an export-oriented economy as compared to the import-dependent one Ghana is grappling with.
Later that morning, a group of NPP MPs held a press conference demanding the removal of the Finance Minister over his management of the economy and the hard times that citizens were facing.
President Akufo-Addo intervened and got a concession on two grounds, that the Minister be allowed to conclude initial talks with the International Monetary Fund and present the 2022 budget and see to passage of its appropriation.
The president has also addressed the nation on the economic challenges and how the government intends to tackle them.
He claims that the cause for the continuous devaluation of the cedi against the dollar is a lack of faith in the economy.
He pointed out that the nation’s financial managers must effectively convey the efforts they are doing to revive the economy in order to foster that confidence.
Speaking on Dowona TV on October 26, 2022, Kennedy Agyapong said “as a government, we have to do something to build the confidence of Ghanaians, we are pleading with the Governor to come out and tell us its monetary policies which are short-term policies. With what is going on, we need confidence from the government to say look take your time, this is how we are going to solve the problem, it will take a while but please don’t panic.”
He further bemoaned the fact that the government does not seem to be communicating with Ghanaians on its steps to save the economy from the current economic hardships.
The Assin Central MP noted that this is the time to be innovative and find new ways to do business.
“Somebody has to speak to Ghanaians, but nobody seems to be talking. That is the biggest challenge that is making the cedi fall further. Situations like this are what bring about innovations and new ways of doing business and where we are today shows us that we have to be innovative and change our old styles,” he added.
He claims that the cause for the continuous devaluation of the cedi against the dollar is a lack of faith in the economy.
He pointed out that the nation’s financial managers must effectively convey the efforts they are doing to revive the economy in order to foster that confidence.
Speaking on Dowona TV on October 26, 2022, Kennedy Agyapong said “as a government, we have to do something to build the confidence of Ghanaians, we are pleading with the Governor to come out and tell us its monetary policies which are short-term policies. With what is going on, we need confidence from the government to say look take your time, this is how we are going to solve the problem, it will take a while but please don’t panic.”
He further bemoaned the fact that the government does not seem to be communicating with Ghanaians on its steps to save the economy from the current economic hardships.
The Assin Central MP noted that this is the time to be innovative and find new ways to do business.
“Somebody has to speak to Ghanaians, but nobody seems to be talking. That is the biggest challenge that is making the cedi fall further. Situations like this are what bring about innovations and new ways of doing business and where we are today shows us that we have to be innovative and change our old styles,” he added.
Ghana’s current economic crisis has been characterized by an increasing fall of the cedi against the dollar amid the high cost of goods and services.
Business owners have lamented the constant depreciation of the cedi and its effects on their working capital.
Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised former President John Dramani Mahama over his call for the dismissal of Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance.
According to him, Mahama should lack the impetus to make such a call stressing that he was not being fair to the minister.
In an interview with Accra-based Citi TV, the MP in explaining his point indicated that Mahama has once been president and during his tenure, the country was plunged into darkness in what became known as ‘dumsor’.
He stated that under the tenure of the former President, the country initiated moves to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund in 2015.
He contended that John Mahama refused to sack his finance minister at the time, Seth Terkper.
“President Mahama is not being fair to the finance minister. If you request that, I will agree because you have not been in that vehicle before. President Mahama was in the vehicle when the was so-called ‘dumsor’.
“President Mahama was in the vehicle when he took us to IMF with his finance minister. Did he ever fire any finance minister? This is the question I ask. Ghanaians can ask for that and I agree with them hundred per cent. Elsewhere maybe the finance minister would have resigned himself. Well, it is up to him [to decide to honourably resign]. That I don’t have a problem with.
“But the very person who is asking for this has been the before and he did nothing. The depreciation of the Cedi is my problem. That is the only challenge we have now that we need to address. But in 2014…have we forgotten? We went through the same under president Mahama. What did he do? The only solution is to take us to IMF,” Ken Agyapong said.
Former President John Mahama while delivering a lecture titled ‘Building The Ghana We Want’, said it was untenable for Ken Ofori-Atta to remain at post with the claim that he should be allowed to conclude ongoing negotiations with IMF as well as read the budget statement scheduled for November.
He was reacting to the latest move of some NPP MPs who organized a press conference on October 25 to demand the sack of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta together with Charles Adu Boahene, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, failure which they will not pursue government business in Parliament.
Following this, the president has held meetings with the MPs where it is reported that he has appealed to them to allow Ken Ofori-Atta in particular complete the IMF negotiations.
The Majority Caucus in a statement confirmed that the demands of the MPs will be ‘acted upon’ after the conclusion of IMF negotiations and the presentation of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy in November 2022, and the subsequent passage of the Appropriation Bill.
But commenting on the matter, Mahama could not comprehend how Ofori-Atta’s absence will affect the IMF negotiations as well as budget preparation.
“I only got to know of a press statement by the Majority of a so-called compromise that the Minister will leave after he has completed the budget and the IMF negotiations…budget preparations and IMF negotiations are the results of teamwork, they are not the work of one individual. I fail to see how the absence of the Minister will affect the preparations of the budget and the negotiations with the IMF,” John Mahama explained.
The Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano North on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sulemana Adamu Sanid, has dragged the ruling of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to the Supreme Court.
The MP is seeking the apex court’s interpretation of the ruling of the Speaker on the matter of absenteeism by his three colleagues.
The three MPs are Sarah Adwoa Safo, Kennedy Agyapong, and Henry Quartey of the Dome Kwabenya, Assin Central, and Ayawaso Central constituencies, respectively.
According to a report by graphic.com.gh, the Ahafo Ano North MP, Sulemana Adamu Sanid, is seeking the Supreme Court’s interpretation on the matter because he disagrees with the verdict of the Speaker of Parliament.
The report added that the NPP MP said he wants “the Supreme Court to clarify the operationalisation of Article 97 (1) (c) to be sure if the ruling by the Speaker of Parliament was in consonance with the 1992 Constitution.”
Andy Kwame Appiah-Appiah, who is counsel for the MP, said his client believes that a determination has already been made by the Court of Appeal, being the precedence as was in the case of Kwaku Asare [Kwaku Azar] vs. Attorney General.
He is said to have said that in such an instance, as has been determined to have been the case of the three absentee MPs, an “automatic vacation of the seat” should apply and that the only job for the Committee of Privileges in Parliament is for the affected MP(s) to explain why they were absent.
He added that the only work, in this matter, that the Privileges Committee – which looked into the absenteeism of the MPs -, had to play was to look at the “reasonableness or otherwise of the explanation without more,” as mandated by the 1992 constitution.
In his ruling on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, Alban Bagbin concluded his 18-page report by stating that parliament should receive the report of the committee and have its contents debated upon.
This was however not pleasant news to the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who immediately got up to challenge the Speaker of Parliament, describing his ruling as “unfortunate.”
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, will not declare the seat of the three absentee Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant yet.
On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, Mr Bagbin indicated he would not declare the seats vacant without a formal debate on the report submitted by the Privileges Committee.
Delivering his ruling, the Speaker noted: “The preliminary objection for the admissibility of the report is hereby dismissed in limine.”
A former Member of Parliament for the Kumbumgu Constituency, Mr Ras Mubarak, petitioned the Speaker to enforce Article 97(1)c of the 1992 Constitution by referring some four MPs, including Ms Safo, to the Privileges Committee for absenting themselves for more than 15 days without permission.
According to the ex-lawmaker, the Standing Orders of Parliament are not clear as to who can or should raise the matter of absenteeism on the floor of the House for a debate and, or referral by Mr Speaker to the Committee on Privileges but it is incidences like this, if unattended to, that threatens Ghana’s democracy.
Quoting Afrobarometer data, Mr Mubarak said trust in Parliament has fallen by 12 per cent between 2002 and 2019.
The report, he said, ranked Parliament as the third corrupt institution in the country – just behind the police and judges.
“I humbly submit that democracy can only work if Parliament puts the common good ahead of the party and personal interest. At a time of seeming collapse of trust in politics and Parliament as an institution, it is my fervent prayer that the House would rise to the occasion and be united on this matter so as to uphold our constitution and also win back waned public confidence,” the petition stated.
The Speaker of Parliament referred the matter to the committee.
MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, Ayawaso West MP, Henry Quartey and MP for Dome Kwabenya Sarah Adwoa Safo.
Despite several invitations, Ms Safo has yet to appear before the committee.
Kwame Asare Obeng, alias A Plus, has projected that Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, will win the flagbearership race in the governing New Patriotic Party, NPP.
In a September 26, 2022 Facebook post, A Plus cited the ‘honesty’ of the lawmaker as the main factor that has endeared him to the party’s rank and file.
He was responding to the NPP’s claim that an attack on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at a concert in Accra over the weekend was orchestrated by members of the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC.
He slammed the communication as lacking sense because there are NPP members on record who are unhappy with the way the country is being run.
“Hon Kennedy Agyapong criticized the governments decision to go to IMF. Is he NDC? You see how popular he has become in the party? He is going to win your presidential primaries.
“The people are tired of your outmoded and foolish communication style. They are looking for people who at least APPEAR honest. Not praise singers who defend every nonsense; that is why Hon Ken is winning. If you don’t see him winning then you don’t have any business being in politics,” his post read in part.
He reemphasized his long held position that most of the NPP’s communicator were psychologically unfit for the role.
“Your downfall is not NDC. It is your poor communication and “mad” communicators. 90% of your communicators are always one always a sentence away from the psychiatric hospital.”
President Akufo-Addo was booed by a section of the crowd during a star-studded musical concert, the Global Citizen Festival, which took place at the Black Star Square on September 24, 2022.
Chants of ‘away, away’ were heard when he appeared on stage to deliver a message. The president proceeded to deliver the over six-minute message.
“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.”
The Vehicle and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG) say they are unhappy about government’s decision to introduce a policy which will impose a 35 percent penalty on duty for imported second-hand vehicles into the country.
Deputy General Secretary of the Union, Clifford Ansu believes the decision to impose the penalty, on imported vehicles between one to five-year-old, is rather counterproductive.
“The amendment intends discouraging importation of secondhand vehicles and encourage automobile assemblers”.
“We are against this aspect of the law. For instance, a vehicle between 1-5 years attracts a penalty of 35% on duty. We are even struggling with the existing duty and when it is implemented before the year ends, it will surely collapse our business.”
Clifford Ansu is quoted by Joy Business after the Union held a meeting in Tema with Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong on the Customs (Amendment) Act 2020, Act 891.
The Deputy General Secretary further lamented that the new policy will rather favour vehicle manufacturing and assembling companies operating in the country.
Touching on efforts to seek an audience with relevant authorities to reconsider the decision, Clifford Ansu said, “We recently met Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, on this issue but he made it clear to us that nothing will stop implementation of this law and if we want any changes done, we need to go through parliament”.
“Despite being the sector minister, he declined helping us get our message across. It appears government has taken an entrenched position,” Mr. Ansu added.
Meanwhile, the Union said it calling on government to at least allow for the importation of used vehicles in order to assist persons who cannot afford vehicles being assembled and manufactured in the country.
As part of efforts to provide incentives to automobile manufacturers and vehicle assemblers who are registered under the Ghana Automotive Manufacturing Development Programme, government announced a ban on the importation of salvaged motor vehicles and specific motor vehicles over 10 years of age among others.
The move, which did not sit well with vehicle importers in the country received widespread backlash as some believed the move was far-fetched and accused government of taking an entrenched position.
The Ghana Automotive Manufacturing Development Programme which was launched in 2019 is expected to cost a sum of GH¢802,251,785 in customs duties and taxes with additional revenue from duties on vehicles not covered by the programme.
However, authorities believe that the implementation of the Programme will boost automobile manufacturing in Ghana which will in turn meet local demand across West African markets.
The outspoken lawmaker is one of the candidates in the race who is actively engaged in activities geared towards emerging as the NPP candidate for the 2024 presidential polls.
In an interview on the sidelines of a social event that he attended on September 15, he was asked about the claim that candidates like himself will likely drop out late into the race.
“If NPP opens nominations, I will pick forms… those who pick forms and quit, does he look like me? At 62 years, how can I declare my flagbearership ambitions in the NPP and quit, I am not quitting,” he said.
He, however, called for clean campaigns stressing his disinterest in what he described as ‘dirty politics.
“We are all going to run, just that what I don’t want is dirty politics. I am not going to do dirty politics. I will go to the people and tell them what I have done for the NPP and Ghanaians and for which reason they should vote for me,” he emphasized.
A confident Agyapong said he was upbeat that he will prevail over all the other candidates and called on delegates to vote for him for his track record in serving the party and the country but also for the fact that he is the overwhelming candidate of the youth.
Kennedy Agyapong declares intention
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP, Assin Central, in May this year became the first to publicly announce his bid to lead the NPP
He said if the governing party wants to break the eight as their mantra for 2024 is, then they must break the eight with Kennedy Agyapong.
“Yes, it is true. I have decided that when the NPP opens nominations, I will pick a form and file my nomination to contest the party primaries as the flagbearer…I will stand on the ticket of the NPP and nothing will change,” Kennedy Agyapong said in a Facebook live interview with The Announcer Newspaper, Wednesday, May 26.
Other contenders – rumoured and announced
There are other contenders in the race to lead the NPP. Two on record to have declared their intentions are former NPP General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong and former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.
The Agric Minister is also rumoured to be lacing his boots to contest as is Joe Ghartey, one-time Attorney General and Railways Minister.
The Privileges Committee of Parliament has sent a Zoom link to the embattled MP for Dome-Kwabenya Constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo, to question her over her absence from parliament for more than 15 days after several attempts to get her to return from the United States of America had proved futile.
According to the Privileges Committee, this is in addition to the publication of the invitation for the embattled MP to appear before the Committee.
Ranking Member of the Committee, George Kweku Ritchett- Hagan made this disclosure after the Committee’s sitting in Parliament on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.
He explained that the link had been sent to the MP, who is also the Minister of Gender and Social Protection, but she has not responded to the link.
He was hopeful that the MP would respond to the link to enable the Committee to question her on July 6, 2022.
The Committee is probing the protracted absenteeism of Ms. Safo as well as two other MPs of the majority caucus, Mr. Kennedy Agyapong and Henry Quartey.
In a recent interview, Adwoa Safo said she was not aware she had been invited or served a notice of appearance by parliament in connection with her previously scheduled appearance before the Privileges Committee on Friday, May 27 2022.
“I am not aware such a thing has been given to me”, she told Accra-based Joy News on Thursday, adding: “I am just hearing it from you.”
“As we speak, I don’t know that I have been invited,” she stressed.
“I have to be served,” she added.
The Minister of Gender, Child and Social Protection said she would only return home from the United States when her sick son was declared fit and healthy.
The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyaponghas justified reasons behind his absenteeism in Parliament.
According to him, his absence from parliament was inadvertent, due to ill health.
He made this revelation when he appeared before the Privileges Committee of Parliament on Wednesday, June 15.
Mr Kennedy Agyapong is said to have absented himself for more than the stipulated fifteen sitting days during the First Meeting of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament.
Per Article 97(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, a Member of Parliament shall vacate his seat “if he is absent, without the permission in writing of the Speaker, and he is unable to offer a reasonable explanation to the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges from fifteen sittings of a meeting of Parliament during any period that Parliament has been summoned to meet and continues to meet.â€
Referral to Privileges Committee
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, referred three members of the House to the Privileges Committee for their continuous absence in Parliament.
The three are; the Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo, Ayawaso Central MP, Henry Quartey and Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong.
Delivering his ruling on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, April 5, Mr Bagbin explained that based on the relevant provisions of the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament, the named NPP lawmakers are guilty of the absenteeism threshold for Members of Parliament.
“I have accordingly come to the irresistible conclusion that a Member who absents himself or herself from 16 sitting days of Parliament in a particular meeting, without the permission in writing of the Speaker, falls squarely within the ambit of Article 97, clause 1(c) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 16(1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament,†he stated.
The two other MPs are yet to appear before the committee.
The issue of absenteeism in Parliament where three Members of Parliament (MPs) have been referred to the Privileges Committee of Parliament for absenting themselves without permission from the Speaker will be heard in camera.
The committee will start hearing the three absentee MPs, with Henry Quartey for Ayawaso Central as the first person followed by Sarah Adwoa Safo for Dome Kwabenya and then Kennedy Ohene Agyapong for Assin Central.
The hearings will start on Thursday, May 26, 2022.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, referred the three New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs to the Privileges Committee of Parliament for absenting themselves from the House for more than 15 sitting days without his permission.
But at a meeting of the committee on Wednesday (May 25, 2022), the members concluded that the media would not be admitted to cover the hearing.
This is contrary to previous meetings and hearings of the 31-member committee which had been covered by the media.
The problem of absenteeism in the House without permission from the Speaker had been a long-standing issue which needed to be addressed holistically.
Hence, when the recent one came to the attention of the Speaker, he referred it to the Committee of Privileges to look into it.
The findings of the committee could lead to the expulsion of the absentee MPs from Parliament if the report suggests so and is adopted by the plenary.
Explaining why the media has been banned from covering the proceedings, a member of the committee, Kweku Ricketts Hagan, NDC MP for Cape Coast South explained that “the nature of evidence as we’ve been hinted might be on medical grounds…”
“And it is on that basis that the [Privileges] Committee came to that conclusion that it would be best that we give the opportunity for people to come and be able to come and be able to discuss with us, charged with that responsibility on what the reasons were or the evidence.
“Of course, when we are done with our work, we will put a report together and seeing the report, it will establish the reason why we recommended that a member should have a legitimate reason to still stay in Parliament or not and I think that will become a public information,” Kweku Ricketts Hagan, a member of the Committee of Privileges said in a radio interview with Accra based Citi FM on Wednesday evening [May 25, 2022] monitored by Graphic Online.
Pressed further on why previous meetings of the committee had been covered by the media and this time around the media is being prevented from allowing the public to witness the proceedings, Mr Hagan said: “You are querying me on a decision that has been taken by the committee.”
“I’m telling you the committee’s decision is that, we didn’t think that it will be appropriate to discuss what is likely to be health matters, because we know that at least two of them or all three of them have been dealing with some medical issues and we thought that it will not be appropriate,” Mr Hagan added.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has been referred three Members of Parliament to the Privileges Committee of Parliament for their absenteeism.
The three MPs are the Members of Parliament for the Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo; Assin North, Kennedy Agyapong; and Ayawaso Central, Henry Quartey.
They have been reported to have breached the 15-day rule after they have been absent for 15 sitting days without permission.
They are to offer reasonable explanations before the Privileges Committee as to why they have been absent.
Based on the committee report, the House will then vote to take a decision as to whether or not the seat will be declared vacant.
Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong has urged trainees of the Nations Builders’ Corps (NABCo) to demonstrate for a month to get the government’s attention.
Kennedy Agyapong lamented the inability of the government to pay the trainees since it can afford to pay parliamentarians who earn way more than the trainees.
“Anytime I travel, and I get to the airport, I get these young men and women coming to me that I should plead on their behave, that they have out been paid.
“You (government) get money to pay GH¢20000 to parliament, but you don’t have money to pay them… I support them; they should demonstrate for about a month straight for the government to sit up and pay them,” he said in an interview on GTV monitored by GhanaWeb.
He said the government should not behave like the opposition National Democratic Congress by failing to honour its promises to the trainees during the 2020 elections, which helped it retain power.
“The government has to pay them; you made propaganda with them … At least these students and workers who were employed their transportation costs are not paid by the government. They find any means necessary to get to work so the government has no excuse whatsoever to say you are not going to pay them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nation Builders Corps (NABCo) programme, Dr Ibrahim Anyass, has urged trainees to remain patient as the government works to secure them permanent employment.
According to Dr Anyass, the government has been faithful to the trainees throughout the three years of the programme despite the challenges faced, myjoyonline.com reports.
He has therefore urged the trainees to refrain from activities that will derail the government’s efforts to get them permanent jobs.
Highlife artiste Kwame Asare Obeng has petitioned the IGP to investigate Ken Agyapong for alleging that Ex-President John Dramani Mahama was responsible for the murder of J. B. Danqua.
According to A Plus, given the seriousness of the allegation, the Ghana Police Service must investigate whether the allegations are true or false.Â
Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP), Kennedy Agyapong, in 2019, alleged that former MP for Abuakwa North, J.B. Danquah Adu, was killed by some members close to former President Mahama because he [Danquah] had naked pictures of the then-president.
He also alleged that “they (persons close to Mahama) killed both the lady (who had the affair with Mahama) and her Nigerian boyfriend after they got the information that J.B. Danquah Adu was the one who sent her.â€
In a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), A Plus said it is his hope the IGP will conduct a full investigation on the claims made by Ken Agyapong and if the allegations were false, the MP must be prosecuted.
“It is my prayer that your office will give this petition the necessary attention it deserves and investigate these claims to ascertain their truth or otherwise.”
“I also pray that your office will institute criminal proceedings against Hon. Kennedy Agyapong for the publication of false news and offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, if your investigations reveal that the Honorable MP’s claims were without merit,†he said.
Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has arrived in Ghana from the United States of America where has been for the past weeks.
His arrival coincides with the contentious 2022 budget approval voting exercise expected to be held in Parliament today.
Debate on the 2022 budget presented in parliament by the finance minister on November 17, 2021, is set to be concluded today November 26, 2021, after which approval voting is expected to be held.
