Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the presidential hopeful from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has unveiled a strategy to address the longstanding problem of corruption in Ghana.
During an interview with Bola Ray on Starr FM, Agyapong pledged to implement a six-month amnesty period for corrupt government officials to discreetly return embezzled funds once he assumes the presidency.
Agyapong’s proposed policy offers a brief six-month window during which government officials who have misappropriated public funds can voluntarily return the ill-gotten gains without facing any inquiries. This amnesty initiative is designed to incentivize corrupt officials to step forward and take responsibility for their actions, potentially easing the financial burden that corruption imposes on the nation.
However, Mr Agyapong issued a stern warning to those who choose not to take advantage of this amnesty. He stated, “If you don’t return it, and we conduct investigations, and you are found to have embezzled the government’s funds, the law will deal with you.”
He reiterated his unwavering dedication to pursuing accountability and justice for those corrupt individuals who choose not to cooperate.
Corruption has been a deeply entrenched issue in Ghana for a considerable period, with successive administrations struggling to curb its prevalence. The suggested amnesty represents a departure from the customary leniency often extended to corrupt officials, especially those in influential positions.
The NPP’s presidential aspirant emphasized his resolve not to succumb to pressure from religious leaders, politicians, or traditional authorities who may seek clemency for corrupt individuals.
Mr. Agyapong argued that effective governance hinges on discipline, which he identifies as the third pillar of the Patriotism, Honesty, and Discipline (PHD) principles. He believes that by strictly enforcing discipline within the government, Ghana can make significant progress in combatting corruption and advancing transparency and accountability.
The announcement has generated both support and controversy in Ghana, with some applauding Agyapong’s resolute stance on corruption, while others voice concerns about the potential misuse of power during investigations.
As the country approaches the presidential election, Agyapong’s proposed policy is likely to remain a central topic of public discourse, shaping the nation’s approach to combating corruption in the years to come.
Hon. Ken Agyapong [@honkenagy] says @sarkodie is one of his favorite artistes in Ghana and he likes the way he always brings out good productions, quality vides etc. He adds that,with his packaging and presentation,that's with we need in our industry to potray Ghana to the world. pic.twitter.com/It5N0V4Ks5
Member of Parliament for Assin Central and a presidential aspirant, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has made startling allegations regarding the Ghana Police Service during his recent rally.
He asserted that positions within the police force were being sold, an activity he characterized as a clandestine operation. Despite the secrecy surrounding this issue, Ken Agyapong chose to expose it, citing the distress it was causing to crucial grassroots members, including the polling station executives.
“You are a delegate, they’ve asked us to be mute but I will speak, because if your child is going to look for a job and you can be asked to bring 10,000 cedis before your child would be recruited into the police.
“These same people are coming to you seeking your votes, so that your children remain jobless,” Agyapong jabbed without addressing the specific persons he was referring to as “they.”
He continued by praising his own track record in the area of job creation and stating that he stood out from the other NPP flagbearer candidates with whom he would be competing to lead the party into the 2024 elections.
The NPP lost the 2024 election, according to Agyapong, who made the claim earlier in his speech at the Accra SHOW DOWN WALK, citing the depreciation of the cedi and the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange programme, which destroyed middle-class and pensioner savings.
“We lost the 2024 elections in 2022. At the time the Ghana cedi destroyed the hard work of many businessmen, all the way to the tomato seller. Ghanaians will never forget that.
“The time the middle class went to court because their monies were lost, and the time the pensioners had their monies gone, Ghanaians will remember that,” he stated.
Assuring the people, he said he was a member of the NPP who always looked out for the masses.
The New Patriotic Party is currently preparing to choose the party’s official flagbearer to run for president in the December 2024 general elections.
In addition to Kennedy Agyapong, former Agriculture Minister Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and former Mampong MP Francis Addai Nimo are running.
On November 4, the NPP is anticipated to hold its national delegates conference to choose its flagbearer for the general elections of 2024.
A presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has raised alarm over the unfair categorization of individuals who speak the truth as arrogant.
During an interview with the media, the prominent business mogul expressed his distress about the unjust classification of truth tellers, asserting that this unjust label is deterring many from openly addressing crucial matters.
The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, added that this apprehension arises from the fear of being unfairly branded as arrogant.
“A lot of people in Ghana are afraid to speak the truth because they are afraid they will be called arrogant. When you speak the truth, they say you are arrogant, they say you are insulting,” noted the Assin Central lawmaker in a conversation with host Umaru Sanda Amadu.
Regarding his often perceived sharp commentary and responses on public media platforms, Agyapong emphasized, “I always reciprocate actions and before I come out, you would have done it for several times that I did not even say anything and one day, when I come out, because it is me, then the public begin to have problems with my response and I think that is unfair.”
He stressed the importance of confidence, boldness, honesty, sincerity, and discipline in the country’s development, pointing out the need for a change in this regard. He criticized the situation where those who respond to allegations and insults are reprimanded while the initial provocations are overlooked, deeming it unjust.
Agyapong concluded by defending himself, stating that he serves as a positive role model due to his significant accomplishments outweighing any perceived negative aspects.
A candidate for the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer position, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has vowed to put a stop to what he calls corrupt practices in Ghana’s fishing industry, which he claims are harmful to the nation’s development.
The member of parliament for Assin Central, who claims to run the largest cold store in Africa, said in a speech to NPP delegates that such corrupt practices in the local business have forced him to import goods for his store.
“Today I was reading a comment where somebody I claim to have built a cold store but I import fish for the cold store. Let me explain to them why. We live in Ghana here where Ghanaians have become the source of our woes. When you go to Tema fishing harbour Ghanaians are the ones fronting for foreigners by acquiring fishing license for them to fish in our seas.
“What is sad is that every fishing vessel has a blast freeze machine that the fish is stored to be frozen at -40 degrees before it is packaged and sold. Instead of them bringing the fish here to sell they send it abroad to sell and when they finish, they pay the Ghanaians fronting their business a thousand dollars a month. So we end up losing all the revenue,” he said.
I patronize foreign fish for my cold store because of some corrupt practices Ghanaians are leading foreigners to do, these practices prevent our fishes from meeting international standards. pic.twitter.com/ifdDyWEGjt
— Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong (@honkenagy) July 20, 2023
Kennedy Agyapong pointed out that because of this method, Ghanaian fish does not match international standards, depriving the country of the necessary foreign currency.
He emphasized, however, that once he is elected president, these abuses will stop.
The latest July 2023 national poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics, Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has taken a 3% lead among all voters to emerge as the preferred candidate for the NPP in the 2024 election following the launch of his campaign.
The poll indicates that 36% of voters prefer Dr. Bawumia, while 33% prefer Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten (AKK) and 25% prefer Kennedy Ohene Agyapong (KOA).
Among NPP voters, Dr. Bawumia leads with approximately 50%, followed by Mr. Kyerematen with 33% and Mr. Agyapong with 16% of the vote.
In the event of a runoff among NPP voters, Dr. Bawumia leads Mr. Kyerematen by 55% to 45%. However, among all voters, Mr. Kyerematen leads Dr. Bawumia by 54% to 46%.
Regarding the race for the Jubilee House, the poll shows both Dr. Bawumia and Mr. Kyerematen losing ground to John Dramani Mahama compared to April 2023. Mr. Mahama, the NDC flagbearer, now leads Dr. Bawumia by 55% to 37% among all voters, while he leads Mr. Kyerematen by 54% to 39%.
On the question of parliamentary elections, 48% of voters indicated they would vote for NDC candidates, while 36% would vote for NPP candidates. 3% preferred candidates from other parties, and 13% were unsure.
The poll also revealed that 63% of voters believe Ghana is heading in the wrong direction, with 26% believing it is heading in the right direction, and 11% having no opinion.
Additionally, 34% of voters approved of the president’s job performance, while 60% disapproved, and 6% had no opinion.
Regarding the standard of living, 20% said it had improved, 45% said it had worsened, 29% said it had not changed, and 6% did not have an opinion.
Regarding the 1992 constitution, 28% of voters agreed that it addresses the country’s needs and challenges, while 50% disagreed, and 22% had no opinion. Among those who disagreed, 63% believed the constitution should be amended, 19% disagreed, and 18% had no opinion.
The vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is leading the former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, and MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong in the race to lead the NPP in 2024, according to a recent survey conducted by Global InfoAnalytics.
Dr Bawumia leads with 34.8% of the votes, followed by Kyeremanten with 27.9% and Kennedy Agyapong, 12.5%.
The rest of the candidates attracted less than 1% of the votes, while 8.9% declined to reveal who they intend to vote for and 15.10% were undecided.
However, in a run-off, the poll finds Alan Kyeremanten leading Dr Mahamudu Bawumia 38% to 37% of the votes. 16% of the delegates were undecided and 9% declined to disclose who they would vote for in the event of a run-off.
In what could be a difficult situation for the vice president, the poll finds 72% ofdelegates who voted for Kennedy Agyapong in the first round, opting to vote for Mr Kyeremanten compared to 12% who opted for Dr Bawumia.
Further, 55% of other delegates who backed other presidential aspirants in the first round intend to vote for Mr Kyeremanten compared to 25% who intend to vote for Dr Bawumia.
On the question of whether the country is headed in the right or wrong direction, 70% of the delegates believe the country is headed in the right direction while 24% believe it is headed in the wrong direction and 6% have no opinion.
With regard to the president’s job approval, the poll finds 77% of delegates approving of the performance of the president compared to 17% who disapprove of his performance, 6% did not have an opinion.
Flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has dismissed allegations of being anti-Ewe.
Speaking to delegates of the New Patriotic Party in the Hohoe Constituency on Sunday, June 11, 2023, Kennedy Agyapong revealed that he has a strong connection with the people of the Volta Region and the Ewe tribe, contrary to claims that he is anti-Ewe.
“I want to tell you, amidst the propaganda that Kennedy Agyapong doesn’t like Ewes, that if you don’t know, let me inform you today. My wife is from Adidome, and I am glad the minister is here. In fact, before I speak, clap for me. Do you know why I am asking you to clap for me? I’ve given you four beautiful, intelligent girls, and they have all attended the best universities in the world,” he said.
The Member of Parliament for Assin Central was recalling incidents surrounding his arrest and charge of treason in 2012, after being alleged to have made comments inciting violence against Ewes.
However, Kennedy Agyapong flatly denied the claims of being anti-Ewe on Sunday night.
“Where on earth would I say that they should go and kill Ewes when my wife, who is a Voltarian, has given me [four children]? I have 22 kids, and they all believe and accept that the Ewe girls are smarter than all of them. My son is here, and he can attest to that. Last year in May, the youngest girl swept all the awards in her school. She was given a scholarship plus an allowance to attend Yale University. While she was delivering her speech, a white lady sitting next to her mother told her that with this girl, she would have to excuse her for wanting to have one child with her husband,” he stated.
The Volta Region, predominantly populated by people of the Ewe tribe, remains the stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress.
Flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has alleged that former National Democratic Congress Deputy General Secretary, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, masterminded the treason charge leveled against him in 2012.
Addressing delegates of the NPP in the Hohoe Constituency on Sunday, June 11, 2023, Kennedy Agyapong claimed that the former Director of Communications at the presidency orchestrated a campaign portraying him as anti-Ewe, leading to his arrest and subsequent charge of treason.
“I was charged with treason. Koku Anyidoho incited the media against me, saying, ‘Kennedy Agyapong says they should go and kill Ewes.’ By five PM, the police had surrounded Oman FM. I reported myself the next day. I was there when Koku Anyidoho called from Prof. Mills’ office for them to charge me with treason, and they did because I was defending NPP,” alleged the flagbearer hopeful.
Kennedy Agyapong faced charges of attempted treason, genocide, and terrorism in 2012 after allegedly making tribal comments on Oman FM, a private radio station owned by him. However, the charges were later dropped, and he was charged with lesser offenses of conduct conducive to the breach of peace and causing fear and alarm.
In April 2013, a circuit court acquitted and discharged Kennedy Agyapong of all charges.
During his address to the delegates on Sunday night, the flagbearer hopeful dismissed allegations of being anti-Ewe.
“I want to tell you, amidst the ongoing propaganda that Kennedy Agyapong doesn’t like Ewes, that if you don’t know, let me inform you today. My wife is from Adidome, and I am glad the minister is here. In fact, before I speak, clap for me. Do you know why I am asking you to clap for me? I’ve given you four beautiful, intelligent girls, and they have all attended the best universities in the world,” he stated.
The Volta Region, predominantly populated by people of the Ewe tribe, remains the stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has taken his campaign to the party’s strongest hold, the Ashanti Region.
According to a viral video, the Assin Central Member of Parliament held meetings with delegates of the party in the region selling himself and his message as the right choice of flagbearer.
His presence at the campus of KNUST was welcomed by residents of the famous Katanga Hall with “jama” songs.
His convoy also moved to the Nhyiaeso Constituency where he was welcomed by members of the party amidst drumming and dancing.
In his trip across the country, Ken Agyapong has sought to impress on delegates of the party to elect him as flagbearer for the 2024 election on the basis of his contribution to the party.
Kennedy Agyapong who is a known financier of the NPP is also promising to lead Ghana towards development and national growth if eventually elected as president.
A prospective presidential contender for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has criticized those who think he is unqualified to represent the party in the 2024 elections.
The vociferous Assin Central Member of Parliament said his critics say he is not “presidential material” because he does not speak impeccable English like some of his contenders.
According to him, the youth needs a candidate who will provide them with jobs and alleviate their sufferings and not a candidate who is only interested in wearing expensive suits and always speaking the Queen’s English.
Kennedy Agyapong also said it seems his opponents want to undermine all the sacrifices he had made for the NPP over the years.
“Who in the party has worked more than me? I have made lots of sacrifices for the party by using my money to fund party activities. Today they are saying I’m not presidential material. What is presidential material? Is presidential material someone who can speak good English, wears suits and does not care about the welfare of the youth?”
“Between someone who says good to see you and the other who encourages you to get up to go to work, which one of them is presidential material? We want jobs, we are not joking at all. We are tired of listening to big English all the time,” he asserted.
Mr. Ohene Agyapong called on the delegates to make a wise choice by electing a formidable candidate who can lead the party to help the party win the 2024 general elections.
“My advice goes to all the delegates to try and make the right choice in the election of a presidential candidate for the party. You will bear the brunt if you make wrong choices that will send the party into opposition. Make no mistake during the primaries to elect just any candidate. I will use the little money I have for myself till I die and not spend on party members anymore,” the MP said.
The outspoken lawmaker said this when he addressed NPP delegates in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
Political analyst Yaw Asani Tano has demanded the arrest of Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a candidate for the New Patriotic Party’s presidential nomination, and Kwasi Nti, the party’s former chairman in the Adansi Fomena Constituency.
According to him, the two ought to be arrested and prosecuted for the payment and receipt of bribery respectively.
“I am calling for the arrest of Mr Kennedy Agyapong and also Kwasi Nti, the former chairman for Adansi Fomena. Mr Kennedy Agyapong himself has come out to say he gave a bribe of one million Ghana cedi to Kwasi Nti to resign. It was a demand by the independent candidate,” Adansi Tano stated while appearing as a guest on UTV’s morning show on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
His call comes after the flagbearer hopeful during an interaction with some delegates of the NPP disclosed that he played a key role in the NPP securing the majority in the 8th Parliament after he paid a million cedis to the then NPP chairman of Adansi Fomena, Kwasi Nti.
The payment according to Kennedy Agyapong was to facilitate the resignation of the chairman as demanded by the independent Member of Parliament for Adansi Fomena, Andrew Amoako Asiamah.
But speaking on UTV, Mr Tano who described the action by Kennedy Agyapong as undemocratic and unparliamentary and said the two actors ought to face prosecution for their actions.
“So to pay a bribe for somebody to resign for the NPP to have majority… My challenge is that Honourable Kennedy Agyapong has been preaching against corruption. Recently during the election of MCEs, the nominee for Kumawu confessed to paying a thousand cedis each to every voter and was subsequently arrested. The media propagated the issue so much that the man had to be arrested. Vicky Hamah under John Mahama insinuated that she is working towards amassing a million dollars in politics and she was fired.
“So if an honourable member of parliament comes to say that he gave one million Ghana cedis for somebody to resign per the demand of the independent candidate, I am calling on Mr Dampare to arrest him for prosecution,” he stated.
Yaw Adansi Tano further called on the NPP to disqualify the Assin Central Member of Parliament from contesting for the party’s flagbearership race.
“Again, I am calling on the party vetting community to disqualify Mr Kennedy Agyapong for giving bribe for somebody to resign from his position,” he said.
A New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporter in the Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfrom Constituency has inked an image of the party’s flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong on her back.
Speaking in an interview on Mama Radio as shared by YouTube-based TV, Oman Channel, the lady identified as Sasha White shared the motivation behind her decision to tattoo an image of the Assin Central MP on her back.
According to her, the decision is mainly due to her love for Kennedy Agyapong, his record in seeking the welfare of the Ghanaian youth and the grassroot of the NPP as well as the promising potential of a presidency led by the Assin Central MP
“People do not understand why I say I am for Ken but first of all, he is there for the youth; he is there for the youth. Two, he thinks about delegates and the grassroots,” she stated.
She emphasised that Kennedy Agyapong remains the only viable candidate to help the NPP retain power.
The New Patriotic Party has set November 4, 2023, as the date for its presidential primaries to elect a flagbearer for the 2024 presidential elections.
Ahead of the elections, the likes of the Assin Central MP, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen have emerged as the lead contenders for the contest.
But appealing to delegates of the party, Sasha White described Kennedy Agyapong as the best choice for the party and the nation at large.
“Who are you to say you don’t want Ken when even NDC members (opposition) are saying they want him?” she questioned.
According to reports, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central and candidate for the NPP’s flagbearer position, plans to resign from his position as board chair of Ghana Gas Company Limited.
The MP is set to tender his resignation letter to President Akufo-Addo, it is clear that the MP would take the decision to enable him properly focus on his presidential ambition.
Hon. Agyapong has indicated that his presidential ambitions are genuine and he is not ready to rescind his decision on leading the NPP in 2024.
He has stated unequivocally that he intends to run in the upcoming NPP presidential primaries.
According to him, “I will go and pick up forms when NPP opens nominations for presidential aspirants”.
Kennedy Agyapong is gradually gaining the support of many NPP members and many Ghanaians, especially the youth. Background
In July 2021,President Akufo-Addoappointed the Assin Central lawmaker as the new Board Chairman of the Ghana Gas Company Limited.
Other members of the nine-member board are Mr. Ben K.D Asante, the Managing Director of the Company; Mr. John Darko, Mrs. Adelaide Mary Benneh; Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli; Mr Abraham Ossei Aidooh; Madam Delphine Dogbegah; Nana Owusu Ansah Ababio, and Mr. Stephen Sumani Nayina.
The members of the board are expected to provide direction and leadership in the day-to-day running of the nation’s only gas transmission utility.
The Ghana National Gas Company was established in July 2011 as a limited liability company with the responsibility to build, own and operate natural gas infrastructure required to ensure the role of a transmission utility.
New Patriotic Party flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has stated that majority of soldiers are willing to vote for him to become President if given the nod as the NPP flagbearer.
He says he is currently the only politician in Ghana whose ambition resonates with the ordinary Ghanaian.
According to the Assin Central Member of Parliament, even members of the Ghana Armed Forces are in full support of his bid to become president due to his history and contribution towards the welfare of the army.
“Ghana is hard but soldiers are saying that ‘Kennedy Agyapong, do not listen to anyone asking you to resign from the contest because you will win the 2024 election.’ Why are soldiers asking me not to resign? Because I am the only man in the history of Ghana who has taken $6 million from his own pocket to build a cardio and dialysis centre at the 37 Military Hospital.
“I am the only politician who has five fish ponds each spanning one kilometre at Atwima Kwanwoma in the Ashanti Region which I have gifted to the Ghana Armed Forces to be used in feeding soldiers. Because of that the soldiers ‘say we will reward you for the good you have done for us. If you don’t believe it, come to Burma Camp and conduct a survey, about 85% of soldiers will vote for you,” he told a group of NPP members in a campaign video shared by Oman Channel.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and some leading members of the NPP have declared their bids to contest the party’s flagbearership ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.
Some of his contenders include former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
But speaking to the party supporters in the video sighted by GhanaWeb, Kennedy Agyapong stated that he remains the only viable candidate in the NPP capable of defeating former President John Dramani Mahama who is deemed the ‘presumptive’ flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress.
Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has made a statement regarding the recent dismissal of a defamation lawsuit Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a member of parliament for Assin Central, had filed.
Investigative journalist and attorney Anas Aremeyaw Anas filed the lawsuit and sought damages in the amount of 25 million cedis.
After reading the 64-page judgement, Amidu wrote a comprehensive analysis of it. He made numerous comments regarding the decision, starting with how Anas filed the case and choose which witnesses to call.
He observed how Anas “knowingly and voluntarily caused his action to be commenced by one Listowell Bukarson on behalf of Anas A. Anas as the plaintiff” via a power of attorney authorizing Bukarson to bring the action in the name of the plaintiff, Anas A. Anas on 18 June 2018.
Sequel to the filing, the writ of summons was amended on 20 November 2018 after the Agyapong had filed his statement of defence on 13 November 2018. The Plaintiff then replied on 21 January 2019 to close the pleadings.
Amidu said whiles he appreciated the legality of the route that Anas chose to file his case, “The question is whether the attorney can testify on behalf of the plaintiff on matters which are not within his personal knowledge,” the piece read in part.
He, however, observed that the decision by Anas to use his a surrogate to give evidence showed that he was really not ready to speak to the issues and to be cross examined in his own case.
“Did the attorney see or witness the transactions alleged? As far as the requirement that he should testify about what he actually did see or heard is concerned, the attorney could not testify about what the plaintiff himself witnessed or heard. The rule against admissibility of hearsay evidence is statutory.
“Anas A. Anas, the plaintiff put himself in a situation of being incapable of giving relevant and primary evidence in person and be cross-examined because he lives in the fear of his own shadow as an anti-corruption entrepreneur and not as a genuine anti-corruption crusader.
“Anas A. Anas thus lost the only opportunity to publicly tell the court his version of the facts within his personal knowledge and to be cross-examined to establish his credibility. Genuine anti-corruption crusaders do not hide their faces behind masks,” he stressed.
Amidu’s writeup tited: “SCANDALIZING THE COURT BY COHORTS OF ANTI-CORRUPTION ENTERPRENUERS AS A RESULT OF THE ANAS A. ANAS v KENNEDY AGYEPONG JUDGMENT IS DANGEROUS FOR GHANA’S DEMOCRACY: BY MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU,” went on to touch on other issues about the ruling and the trial judge as well as copious critique of how civil society and political actors have made questionable comments on same.
Anas vs. Ken Agyapong defamation case
An Accra High Court on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, struck out a defamation suit brought by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas against Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
The plaintiff, filed the case in 2018, seeking among other reliefs monetary damages to the tune of GH¢25 million.
However, the court presided by Justice Eric Baah despite finding various claims made by the defendant against the plaintiff as potentially defamatory, ruled that the comments were factual and fair.
The court subsequently dismissed the suit and awarded the defendant a sum of 50,000 Ghana cedis to cover his legal costs.
The MP has subsequently referred to the ruling as a victory for straight talk over investigative terrorism.
The journalist also expressed grave misgivings about the ruling describing it in part as a travesty of justice. He, has also confirmed that his legal team will file an appeal, stressing that his fight against corruption will continue unabated.
An outspoken member of parliament for Assin Central and candidate for the party’s presidential nomination, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has criticized the Electoral Commission (EC) for choosing to adopt the Ghana Card as the only form of identification for registration in the general elections of 2024.
The new Constitutional Instrument (CI) seeks to see the elimination of the guarantor system for all first-time registrants to the country’s electoral register.
But the MP in a media interview on a local radio station, Sompa FM, in Kumasi, indicated that the new CI laid in Parliament by the Electoral Commission is “bogus”.
He maintains that it makes no sense that the Ghana Cardwould suddenly be raised above the Ghana Passport in determining the identity of citizens.
‘’I am against it. Ghana has people taking bogus decisions. We have a whole Ghana passport, but you (EC) claim that to register to vote you can’t use it to register as a voter. What makes me know that I am a Ghanaian? It is my passport”, he said.
His comments come as a surprise as members of the NPP side in Parliament had constantly supported the EC in its move for the Ghana card to be used as the only source of identification for the voters register.
But as it stands, the NDC Members of Parliament are being whipped to be in the house at all cost to kick against the proposed CI.
In Ghana, people of all ages compete to represent their numerous constituencies inparliament, and being a legislator is a big deal.
But while some people are dying to enter the legislative house, others are getting out voluntarily. As the major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party have already begun processes in preparation to battle for victory in the 2024 general elections, some sitting lawmakers have chosen to not seek re-election.
Some of them say they have done enough and the time has come to step aside for other people to serve, while others want to run for president.
Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu
Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu
Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs who represents the people of the Suame constituency in the Ashanti Region has indicated that he will not seek re-election. He is currently serving his seventh term in the legislative house after entering in 1996.
2. James Klutsey Avedzi
James Klutse Avedzi
The Member of Parliament for the Ketu-North constituency is retiring from lawmaking. He is serving his fifth term in parliament. He was the former Chairman of the Finance Committee in the parliament of Ghana from 2009 to 2017. He is currently the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of parliament and also the immediate past Deputy Minority Leader for the NDC in parliament.
3.Benjamin Komla Kpodo
Hon. Benjamin Kpodo
He is the Ho central Member of Parliament. He entered parliament in 2013 but reports indicate that he is not seeking re-election.
4. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
The Member of Parliament for the Assin-Central constituency entered parliament in 2000 and has retained the seat since. He is retiring from parliament because he wants to contest the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearership race to become president.
5. Cletus Avoka
The NDC Member of Parliament for Zebilla Constituency announced during an NDC Youth Wing meeting and dinner ceremony that he will not seek re-election.
He served in the first parliament from 1993 to 2005 before losing the seat to the late John Ndebugri at the time the constituency was known as the Bawku West constituency.
In 2009, he re-entered as the second MP for the Zebilla constituency.
Cletus Avoka was also the MP for Garu Tempane from 2000 to 2004. In the year 2000, he won the general elections as a member of parliament for the Garu-Tempane constituency of the Upper East Region of Ghana. He won as an independent candidate in that election for the Upper East Region.
He would have served his constituents for 24 years in parliament by 2024, so he thinks the time to allow another person to represent the people of Zebilla is now.
The Accra High Courthas postponed the lawsuit on defamation presented by award-winning investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, against Kennedy Ohene Agyapong to March 15.
The Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP) is facing a GH¢25 million suit from Anas over some comments he (MP) had allegedly made against the investigative journalist in public after airing his investigative piece #Number 12, which exposed some rots in Ghana Football.
Justice Eric Baah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal who is sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, had earlier fixed Thursday, February 16 after the parties had ended their testimonies.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that the judgement was deferred because the parties failed to file their written addresses by December 6, 2022, deadline given by the court.
They, instead, filed them at a later date, hence the decision of the court to defer to allow the judge ample time to write his judgment.
Background
Sometime in 2018, the ace international investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas dragged the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, to court for defaming him.
Anas was asking the High Court to award aggravated damages to the tune of GH¢25 million arising from defamatory materials published by the MP.
He said the MP had been publishing materials in his bid to discredit him after releasing an explosive piece on the rot in Ghana football.
Displeased with the MP’s actions, Anas, through his lawyer, Mr Kissi Agyebeng, sued Mr Agyapong for the award of general damages for defamation in the defendant’s publications.
A journalist, Mr Listowell Yesu Bukarson, has been granted the lawful attorney to stand in for Anas.
Publications
The publication complained of are May 29, 2018, live programme in Twi on Adom TV, where Mr Agyapong categorically stated that Anas was a blackmailer, corrupt, an extortionist and evil.
According to the statement of claim, the defendant, in a similar manner, published defamatory words on May 31, 2018, via Oman FM, a private radio station owned by the defendant.
The statement of claim also stated that the defendant published more defamatory materials against the plaintiff via other platforms to the extent of releasing pictures purported to be those of the investigative journalist in his bid to blow the latter’s cover.
The flagbearer candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Member of Parliament for Assin Central in Central Region, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has asked party followers and Ghanaians to have faith in his goals and objectives.
Though official nominations have not been opened, flagbearer hopefuls are moving and sending their campaign signals out.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a businessman and politician, is one of them.
He appealed to Ghanaians to have confidence in him and make him the party’s flagbearer and the country’s president come 2024.
Mr. Agyapong made this appeal when he appeared on ‘Good Evening Ghana’ on Metro TV in Ghana.
According to him, he is a man who understands Ghanaian languages and problems and can also solve the problems of the people.
He also added that even if those who vote for him age, their children will largely benefit from their support for him.
Ken Agyapong added that he will exonerate himself from the case of Ahmed Suale’s death when he becomes president of Ghana. Though he affirmed that police investigations could not point fingers at him for the death of the investigative journalist, he will show interest in the case when he is voted President of Ghana.
The Assin Central Member of Parliament made an appearance on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana program earlier this week to affirm his determination to see the election through to the end but to emphasize that he will not be a running mate should he lose.
He said, “I will support him (Bawumia) as an NPP member and for his campaign, but I don’t want to be his running mate.”
Asked by the host, Paul Adom Otchere on what his contribution will be to a Bawumia campaign if the vice president wins the race, Kennedy Agyapong said he will go ahead and support his campaign but maintained that he will not be his running mate.
“If I don’t win, I am a party member; I am party member I will help,” he stated.
The likes ofKennedy Agyapong, Kwabena Agyapong, Joe Ghartey, Dr Afriyie Akoto and Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Francis Addai-Nimoh and Kofi Konadu Apraku have all announced their bids for the NPP flagbearership.
Meanwhile, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who is yet to officially announce his bid is tipped as a lead contender in the race.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen are tied for the party leadership position ahead of the 2024 elections, according to a recent nationwide poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics.
The polls conducted between 31st December 2022 and 15th January 2023, show the race to lead the NPP is a dead heat among NPP voters as Dr Bawumia has lost the slender lead he enjoyed in October 2022 over Mr Kyeremanten.
The poll now shows Dr Bawumia and Mr Kyerematen are level at 40% apiece among NPP voters.
However, among general voters, Mr Kyerematen’s lead over Dr Bawumia has been cut from 41% to 32% compared to 44% to 31% in October 2022.
New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, is in third place with 14% of the votes.
The NPP is yet to set a date for its presidential primaries to elect a flagbearer for the 2024 elections.
Mr Kyerematen who resigned from his post is likely to face off with the former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and former Railways Minister Joe Ghartey who has also declared his intention to contest for the slot.
The poll shows the president’s job approval rating making a significant recovery from 26% in October, leaping to 32% in January 2023, whilst his disapproval declined sharply from 69% in October to 59% in January 2023.
A potential flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, asserted that his dedication to the party once caused him to lose a woman he had planned to marry.
According to Kennedy Agyapong, the said woman left him after he returned from the United States of America to support the party in the 1992 elections.
“In 1992, I was in a relationship with Madam Stella. I also had another girlfriend back here in Ghana that I intended to marry. But when it comes to women some are good and some are bad.
“In 1992 I returned home one day to meet the one back here in Ghana holding my ticket and trying to find out if I could go back, because Adu Boahen had lost and NPP had also lost.,” the Assin Central MP said during an interview on his Net2 TV.
“The other woman left me because I had gone broke, she saw the amount of money I brought at that age and spent everything on the NPP. Right after losing the election, she said by their fruits you will know them; she left,” he added.
Ultimately he said, he had to go back to the U.S where he was accepted by his first girlfriend – Stella who forgave him and accepted him back.
“I stayed in Ghana for 8 months, and when I went back my office had been repossessed. I went back to driving a taxi.
“Stella remained. She forgave me and I had no option because her friends back here were calling her to that a lady is driving your man’s car. But she forgave me. All because of NPP, I lost the woman, I lost the office,” she added.
Kennedy Agyapong was responding to Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, who in a recent interview with JoyNews, questioned his competence and devotion as a prospective flagbearer of the NPP.
According to Kennedy Agyapong who is regarded as a financier of the NPP, he has a track record assisting the party in various moments of financial need.
This is corroborated by the former Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Nana Obiri Boahen.
Obiri Boahen in an interview with Wontumi radio while calling out Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said, “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.
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.
A representative for Assin Central parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, visited the national leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, December 20, as a courtesy call in order to learn about recent events there.
Mr. Agyapong was full of praise for the national officers for how they have taken steps to bring the party and government together for a common purpose.
He said closeness in party and government is important for ensuring unity since it affords the opportunity for the government and other officials to liaise with each other in the implementation of policies and ideologies.
He eulogized the national executives and urged them to do more in strengthening the ties between the party and the government as it helps to augment unity. Mr. Agyapong said he is concerned very much for party unity and urged all those who aspire to lead it to do their best in that regard.
He pledged his support for anyone who would be endorsed to lead the party and said, once he would need everyone’s support should he become the next leader, he is ever prepared to help others.
He said the NPP cannot afford to relinquish political power as the alternative party would be worse and scary. He advised the NPP not to waste time on the newly elected NDC national executives especially Mr. Asiedu Nketiah and Fiifi Kwetey as they are only propagandists.
Mr. Agyapong recalled in 2008 when these same people out of their propaganda, fabricated documents and assigned money in false bank accounts for him and other NPP appointees at the time and made Ghanaians believe that they had stolen money from the state.
Hon. Agyapong said that, although these stories were deliberately fabricated by the NDC but many Ghanaians bought into and it affected the fortunes of the NPP. He has therefore cautioned his party members to take the fight to the NDC this time round but not to sit down to remain callous while they lie to Ghanaians.
Speaking to the congregation at the Divine Word International Ministries in Virginia, USA, Mr. Agyapong announced his intention to run for president and promised to use his extensive business knowledge to promote Ghana as a business hub.
On his job creation agenda, Mr Agyapong said he would focus on a massive industrialisation drive and tourism, adding that he planned to create globally competitive industries, paying attention to commercial farming to make it attractive as pertained in Cote D’Ivoire, Tanzania, and Malaysia among other industrial nations.
Ghana, he said, was endowed with numerous mineral resources and would use them to turn the fortunes of the economy around.
As a business mogul who had employed more than 7,000 workers across the globe, Mr Agyapong said he would leverage on his business prowess to help achieve the country’s development targets.
“With my experience as a businessman, I will create jobs for the youth. I’ll run Ghana like a business until an unprecedented transformation is achieved to benefit every citizen,” he assured.
“I will lead Ghana to export more and import less for economic growth and job creation,” he said.
Touting his disciplinary credentials, Mr Agyapong pledged to instill discipline, integrity, hard work and accountability in Ghanaians, especially the youth, to spur national development.
He said he believed that corruption and greed were primarily due to the absence of discipline and integrity in the national psyche of some Ghanaians, and would, thus, work as a leader to end those attitudes, which was wreaking havoc on the nation’s development efforts.
He urged all well-meaning Ghanaians, both home and abroad, to rally behind the NPP-led Government to surmount the current challenges.
A recent outburst by outspoken New Patriotic Party(NPP) Member of the Parliament(MP) for Assin Central Constituency Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has lend some credence to assertions that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s role in management of the economy has been thwarted by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Dr. Bawumia has in recent times been accused of failing to demonstrate his economic prowess as Head of the Economic Management Team following the bad performance of the cedi against the dollar among other economic challenges.
However, the onsets of events and significant instances have raised concerns over the efforts of the Vice President in finding solutions to the current economic situation.
It has strongly been asserted that Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is effectively obstructing the Vice President on matters that bother on key economic decisions and actions.
Speaking to party members in Bolgatanga as part of his campaign to be elected flagbearer of the NPP, Kennedy Agyapong lamented the loss of some $12 million as a result of the depreciation of the Ghanaian currency.
“From March this year to August this year, through exchange rate, I have lost $12 million. So today I don’t even count it,” he said to delegates.
The maverick MP stated that he would not have bullied by a Finance Minister if he were in the position of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
“If I’m a vice president, how can a finance minister bully me?” He questioned.
This recent outburst has been described by political watchers as grapevine information that points to a worrying situation where it is believed that Ken Ofori Atta as Finance Minister is given priority over the Vice President in decision economic decisions making.
Thanks for reading from MyNewsGH as a news publishing website from Ghana. You are free to share this story via the various social media platforms and follow us on; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.
Approximately 98 members of the Majority who are demanding that Ken Ofori-Atta be fired as the finance minister have intimated that they will not attend the budget presentation if Ofori-Atta, whose firing they are demanding, appears on the floor of the House.
“We’ve gone back to (our demand for the President to) sack him now and therefore should the budget be presented under the stamp of the Finance Minister, we’ll not participate because as far as we’re concerned we’re never going to do business with him.
“We’re not saying we won’t do the President’s business. We’re saying we won’t do President’s business through Ofori-Atta. So if anybody else comes with President’s business, we’ll participate,” Andy Appiah-Kubi, Asante Akim North MP told Joy News.
According to sources, both majority and minority MPs are likely to boycott the presentation, which situation will make it impossible for the minister to present the budget to the House because there will be a lack of quorum as required by the Constitution.
But in a press statement issued and signed by the Assin Central legislator, he said:
“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.”
“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,” Agyapong’s statement entreated.
0 seconds of 20 minutes, 2 seconds, Volume 90%
Read below Kennedy Agyapong’s 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.
He asserted that one of his plans to do this included establishing a strong economic basis for industrial growth.
“My leadership will focus on business development because I want to run Ghana like a business for unprecedented transformation to take place.
“I have the experience to create jobs for the youth with my record of business life. My steel company, when completed, will employ over 1,000 workers. It is named after Ashanti – Ashanti Steel.” he added.
In the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti Region, Mr. Agyapong made this statement while paying a courtesy visit to Nana Barima Saasi Ayeboafo II, the Chief of Mamponteng.
While speaking about his execution of strong policies to support large-scale mechanized agriculture, he said that the Afram Plains region and other regions of the country with tremendous agricultural potential will be at the center of focused agriculture mechanization programs.
“I have plans to create globally competitive industries, make commercial farming attractive like what pertains in Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania and other industrialised countries.
Ghana is well endowed with minerals, and would be used to turn the economic fortunes of the country around,” he added.
He pledged to instil discipline, integrity, hard work and accountability in the citizens, especially the youth to contribute effectively to national development.
“The menace of corruption, greed, and nepotism in Ghana is due to lack of discipline. The absence of discipline in the national life of Ghanaians is why corruption, nepotism and greed have gained deep roots in public life,” he stressed.
On educational prospects, he said he would use his salary to establish a scholarship scheme in every constituency, noting that “I will not take and enjoy my salary. It will be channelled into a scholarship scheme to pay the fees of the poor, and I believe it will promote Ghana’s development in more ways than one.”
In the area of chieftaincy, Mr Agyapong pledged to promote the active participation of chiefs in national governance and also rely on the wise counsel and wisdom of the traditional rulers in his administration.
The Assin Central MP donated 200 street lights to people of the Mamponteng area.
He said street lighting had been observed to be a major problem in Ghana, with a number of the lights not working while those working were using high-pressure sodium bulbs which consumed a lot of electricity.
“Street lighting is an essential road furniture. It ensures security at night for road users, contributes to improved road safety and enhances our quality of life and standard of living,” Mr Agyapong said.
He gave the assurance to complete works on the ongoing market in Kwabre and appealed to the assembly members for their maximum support in that direction.
On his part, Nana Barima Saasi Ayeboafo II, expressed his appreciation to the MP for his visit and assured him of warm reception at all times.
However, he appealed for the completion of the Kwabre market and road infrastructure in his area.
“Our roads are in deplorable state. Many road constructions have been abandoned. TVET education needs key attention in the area. Speak for us so that life can be made more dignifying and comfortable for the inhabitants,” he indicated.
The Chief admonished Mr Agyapong not to abandon his boldness after victory to lead the party to iron out all differences that could rise in the primaries, and unite the rank and file of the party to break the eight-year jinx of governance in the Fourth Republic.
“I hope the delegates give you the nod. Work extremely hard by improving the party’s grassroots’ structure.
“Work with traditional leaders and, most importantly, ensure that the government focuses on eradication of poverty, creation of jobs and construction of roads,” the chief added.
The MP traveled to Ho on Friday to honor the Chiefs and residents of the Asogli State. At that point, the Asogli State Palace Forecourt’s Paramount Chief was seated in State.
According to a graphic online reportage, the durbar ground rejected the gifts the MP sent.
Some sub-chiefs who acted as middlemen to accept the gifts on Togbe Afede’s behalf turned down the presents and requested that the MP takes them away.
In the report, graphic online stated that, the chiefs and people cited some negative remarks and use of unkind words on Togbe Afede XIV by the MP, who is seeking to become the flagbearer of the governing NPP.
A video depicting Mr Agyapong on the durbar grounds had some voices in the background shouting “away”.
The gifts, including cartons of bottled water, were packed back into the vehicle.
This year’s yam festival of the Chiefs and people of Asogli State is being climaxed this weekend under the distinguished patronage of Togbe Afede XIV.
The festival started on August 6, 2022, and is expected to end on Sunday, September 11.
The one-month festival seeks to highlight unity, reconciliation, stocktaking and development and is also a platform for the annual reunion with the ancestors and the re-affirmation of allegiance by all chiefs and their subjects in the Asogli State to the Agbogbome Stool.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has stated that all the 15 regional chairmen of the party who openly declared their support for John Boadu have been disgraced.
“All of them have been embarrassed. If it were somewhere, all of the chairmen would resign,†he stated.
Speaking an interview with journalists at the Accra Sports Stadium after the declaration of Justin Kodua Frimpong as General Secretary of the NPP, the maverick MP urged the 15 regional chairmen to learn their lesson.
“If you are a party chairman and you stab your people underground there, you cannot change their minds. That is the decision we have taken,†he stated.
The NPP held its national delegates conference on the theme: “Holding together, working together.”
The immediate past General Secretary, Mr Boadu, who was widely tipped to be retained, got 2,524 votes while his main challenger, Mr Frimpong, garnered 2,837 to emerge victorious. The other competitors, Iddrisu Musah had 104; Frederick Opare-Ansah had 50 votes and Ramseyer Agyemang-Prempeh polled eight votes.
Another contender, Charles Bissue, who pulled out of the race a few days to the conference, got 12 votes.
Disunity
Mr Agyapong said the action of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to whip all the regional chairmen to support the candidature of Mr Boadu could cause disunity in the party.
“Wontumi should cool down; he does not own the party,†he stated.
Mr Agyapong said he had learnt his lesson that the disunity in the “party stems from the fact that leaders of the party openly support candidates. This time, I decided that to get unity in the party, I am not going to openly support anybody.â€
Winners
He said delegates would always vote for any candidate they believed was good.
“If you are good and the people believe in your work, they will vote for you. But for the first time in the history of the NPP as a political party, you see 15 regional chairmen raising their hands because they have been whipped. They have been disgraced. That is all I can tell you,†he stated.
He said that action by the 15 regional chairmen, led by Chairman Wontumi, ahead of the party’s national delegates conference smacked of bad faith in the party.
