Flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Ohene Agyapong says members of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) vetting committee are convinced of his readiness to lead both the party and the country.
Speaking to journalists after his vetting in Accra on Tuesday, September 23, the former Assin Central MP described the process as fair and professional.
“Oh, not really. You know, I was prepared. So, I believe I answered all the questions and they know I’m ready to be president of this country. They really wanted to know why I want to be president and my vision for the country as well as the party,” he said.
Mr. Agyapong said he outlined his vision, highlighted solutions to Ghana’s challenges, and stressed his long-standing loyalty to the NPP.
He explained that the committee asked “reasonable” and “tangible” questions but did not antagonise him because of his record in the party.
On his development strategy, the outspoken businessman-politician said he intends to adopt aspects of the Asian model, where governments deliberately funded promising entrepreneurs and industries to spur growth.
He cited examples from South Korea, India, and Dubai, where states partnered with private businesses by providing loans for capital-intensive projects, helping firms grow into global brands.
“In business, the most difficult part is the capital. If government supports you to get the capital and you run it well, you become a millionaire. This is how they’ve been able to expand their businesses… and I believe Ghana must follow the same model,” he said.
Background
The vetting of presidential aspirants for the NPP’s 2028 flagbearer race began on September 23. This is Kennedy Agyapong’s second attempt at leading the party, after securing 37.41% of the votes in the 2023 primaries where Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emerged winner.
Five aspirants have picked nomination forms for the upcoming race: Dr. Bawumia, former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Abetifi MP Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Bosomtwe MP and former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kennedy Agyapong himself.
In the 2023 primaries, Dr. Bawumia won convincingly, with Kennedy Agyapong placing second, while Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Francis Addai-Nimoh followed with less than 1% each.
