Kennedy Agyapong, former MP for Assin Central
In a bold political move aimed at solidifying his base ahead of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) upcoming presidential primaries, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has officially declared his intention to contest for the party’s flagbearership.
The former Member of Parliament and businessman made the announcement during a closed-door meeting with 268 former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) at his private office in Accra.
The engagement, described by political observers as a strategic show of force, saw Mr. Agyapong outline his vision for Ghana, centered on job creation, economic empowerment, and radical decentralisation of governance.
“As of now, I employ over 7,500 Ghanaians across my businesses. My steel factory is logistically complete, we’re only waiting on electricity from GRIDCo. Once operational, it will provide an additional 1,000 jobs. This is the kind of practical leader you need to lead this country,” he told the gathering.
Agyapong also criticised the centralisation of power under the previous administration, saying it weakened the ability of MMDCEs to serve their communities effectively.
“You could not even award contracts or initiate projects that directly responded to the needs of your people. Everything was controlled from Accra,” he said, pledging to give MMDCEs greater autonomy under his leadership.
Addressing what he described as misconceptions about his public image, the outspoken politician urged the MMDCEs to judge him by his record, not media portrayals.
The meeting took an emotional turn when the MMDCEs, visibly energised by his remarks, spontaneously erupted into chants of “wo yɛ yɛ yaa, Ken bɛba!” — to wit, “You can’t stop Ken from coming.” The chant signaled strong grassroots support for Ken Agyapong’s candidacy.
Several former MMDCEs at the event pledged their support for his presidential bid, describing him as a transformational leader who understands both governance and enterprise.
