Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, an aspiring flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has expressed frustration that his advice and experience in Ghana’s Parliament have been ignored by the Finance Minister and other officials due to his background and financial status.
Agyapong, who has been in Parliament for 35 years, shared his concerns in an interview. He stated that despite his practical experience and contributions, he is not taken seriously because he attended a public school in his native village, Assin. He feels that the Finance Minister, who relies on theoretical approaches, ignores his practical advice on the economy.
He cited examples of his advice that were disregarded, such as his recommendations on agricultural and fisheries matters. Agyapong mentioned suggesting the use of specific cold storage conditions for fish and the potential for yam exports. However, he believes his advice wasn’t heeded because he lacks the financial resources that might garner more attention.
Agyapong emphasized that he wants to prove that practical approaches can be effective and change the fortunes of the country. He expressed his desire to become president to bring about change with a pragmatic approach and to challenge the conventional wisdom of solely relying on theoretical knowledge.
As part of his campaign to become the NPP flagbearer, Agyapong is touring all 16 regions of Ghana to garner support from party delegates. He believes that his business acumen and experience in Parliament make him well-suited to create jobs and bring about positive change in Ghana. The NPP has scheduled a Super Delegates Conference on August 26 to elect the final candidate from a pool of 10 aspirants vying to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.