Kennedy Agyapong
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong has rejected the calls by a group of his supporters to run as an independent in the 2024 elections.
This comes after Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia defeated Mr. Agyapong in the NPP’s presidential primary election which saw close to 200,000 delegates vote to choose between four candidates.
The Vice president polled 61.47% of the total votes, beating Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, and Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto to become the NPP’s presidential candidate for the 2024 polls.
The group’s chairperson, Kwabena Yankey, during a news conference held on Tuesday, said “We the supporters of Kennedy Agyapong, representing 37 percent of the NPP delegates, wish to inform the general public that Kennedy Agyapong needs to be the next president of Ghana. We are advocating for Kennedy Agyapong, and we urge him to stand as an independent candidate for a massive win in 2024.”
He continued that “Kennedy Agyapong renowned for his outspoken nature and unwavering love, has demonstrated his dedication through his actions and spearheaded the establishment of companies that employ 7,000 workers.
His initiative to construct a state-of-the-art cardio hospital whose investment surpasses $7 million underscores his commitment to the well-being of Ghana’’.
He added, “Despite the recent setbacks within the NPP, we continue to believe that supporting him as an independent candidate is crucial for Ghanaians to foster growth, innovation, and the social welfare of the nation.”
But, Kennedy Agyapong speaking at the USA edition of ‘Showdown Thanksgiving Party’ in Minnesota, on December 2, 2023, assured his supporters that he is not going to leave the NPP.
The Member of Parliament for Assin Central said “I’m still an NPP [member]. We will continue to fight. We are not going to give up. I will sit in there and make the changes. I will be in there and make the changes. So, you should be rest assured’’.
According to him, “… there are speculations that on December 4, Kennedy Agyapong is going to make a press conference. I will be here (Minnesota, USA) on December 4, so this kind of speculations I’m not in for that. NPP people should be rest assured that Kennedy Agyapong is still an NPP’’.
He added, “I will continue to be NPP but Ghana first. If you are NPP and you make a mistake I will tell you”.
“You shouldn’t give up because you were supporting Kennedy Agyapong and he lost, no! Maybe this is a preparation. I probably trusted people too much so now I’m learning. I thought I was perfect but with this election, I know I’m not so I’m learning a lot. Nobody should be worried about whatever happened,” he said.
However, he urged his supporters not to be discouraged by the fact that he did not win the NPP presidential primaries, adding that he has learnt his lessons and will come back stronger.
BY Daniel Bampoe