Author: Ebenezer Nii Narh Ogyatey, Activist and Former TESCON President, University of Education, Winneba
Agoooooooo NPP mma, Ghanaians: “NPP, when you bring Kennedy, we will vote for you in 2028“. Team Bawumia: “Those saying that are not delegates; win with Bawumia.”
Well, assuming arguendo, that Ghanaians who are loudly screaming “NPP, bring Ken and we will vote for you” are not delegates as we have been told, the strategic question remains, are these myriad of voices calling on Ken Agyapong not Ghanaian voters? Delegates determine a flagbearer; the broader electorate determines national victory. Their voices cannot be dismissed.
Ghanaians of all walks of life are closely observing the ongoing campaigns of these two aspirants, and the patterns they see are increasingly instructive. One candidate appears focused primarily on securing the flagbearership, evidenced by promises such as: “I will give each constituency 10 appointments.”
The fundamental question then arises, even if this is fulfilled, does it address the rising unemployment crisis confronting the country? A campaign lacking a compelling and solutions-oriented message that speaks to the urgent socioeconomic challenges of the Ghanaian populace is a key factor that contributed to our miserable defeat in the 2024 election.
We were informed that Dr. Bawumia, our 2024 presidential candidate, undertook an “unprecedented” campaign, visiting all constituencies in a novel manner. However, a mere physical traversal of constituencies does not equate to effective campaigning.
Campaigning requires an appealing and resonating national message, the Flagship campaign message that is prosecuted the NPP way, that which Ghanaians have known us for.
Historically, the NPP’s electoral success has been anchored in a flagship campaign message. President Kufuor had one. President Nana Akufo-Addo had one. This has been the party’s strategic electoral tradition. Because of such defining flagship campaign messages, even in defeat, our margins remained narrow; the evidence is clear.
Unfortunately, in 2024, Dr. Bawumia assumed the flagbearership with slogans rather than a substantive flagship message, which the ordinary Ghanaian identifies the NPP with.
This brings us to the current sentiment among Ghanaians: “ NPP delegates, when you bring Kennedy, we will vote for you in 2028.” Their conclusion is rooted in their observation that Dr. Bawumia is primarily focused on securing the flagbearer position by offering lavish promises to delegates, promises that do not resonate with the ordinary Ghanaian in Odumase Krobo, my hometown.
Now here comes the man, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. A businessman and politician who understands that Ghana’s development trajectory is best advanced under the NPP, and he has diligently evaluated the policy continuum.
President Kufuor provided free maternal care and health insurance that protected Ghanaian children and their mothers in the early 2000s; President Nana Akufo-Addo provided Free SHS for these same children.
Today, these beneficiaries are adults, and what they require are jobs, sustainable, mass job creation initiatives. That’s what we mean by the motto: development in freedom, an intentional socio-economic growth driven by great minds like Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is unequivocal and consistent about job creation. Across all campaign platforms, his central message is job creation. This is the type of flagship campaign message that aligns with the historical strategic traditions of the NPP.
This is the core distinction between Ken and Bawumia. One is oriented toward national developmental milestones; the other appears oriented toward internal party ascendancy rather than national stewardship.
This explains the growing national appeal for Kennedy Agyapong. While a myriad of Ghanaians are not NPP delegates, they are the ultimate arbiters of electoral outcomes, and that is why they are urging NPP delegates to bring forward Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the candidate who demonstrably understands the country’s challenges and proposes practical solutions capable of restoring national confidence.
KENNEDY OHENE AGYAPONG, I BELIEVE!!!
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