Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a 2024 flag bearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged delegates of the party to choose a bold leader who would stand his ground until the Electoral Commission (EC) declares the final results before conceding defeat.
During his tour of the Savannah Region on Wednesday, October 15, 2024, he said if the delegates vote for him as the NPP’s candidate, there is no way he will concede defeat until the final results are officially announced by the EC.
He noted that a candidate who waits for official declaration by the EC is the one who wields the wherewithal to protect the will of the people, emphasising that any concession before an official declaration would be premature and irresponsible.
“Until the last constituency is counted, if I am a Presidential candidate, I will never accept defeat. I will never accept defeat until the Electoral Commission comes out to declare. I will never accept defeat,” he stated firmly.
Ken Agyapong, the vociferous former MP, known for his no-nonsense posture, urged NPP delegates to choose “bold men” to lead the party into the 2026 general election.
According to him, the NPP needs fearless leadership that can stand its ground against the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“We need bold men,” he said. “The party needs people who can match the NDC in every respect and defend the interests of our supporters.”
He bemoaned the personal attacks some of his opponents have resorted to, instead of focusing their campaigns on a clear message, particularly job creation, which he said should be the central issue in the upcoming election.
“The delegates must reject any candidate who does not talk about jobs but spends time attacking my personality and saying I am not presidential,” he said.
He also touted his contributions to the party, claiming that only a few persons have sacrificed for the party more than he has. “No one has contributed more to the party in terms of finances and body and soul,” he stated.
Ken Agyapong has been touring the regions to rally support ahead of the NPP’s flag bearer election. His campaign has focused heavily on economic empowerment, job creation, and what he describes as “restoring honesty and discipline” within the party.
The NPP recently conducted a balloting exercise to determine the order in which aspirants will appear on the ballot paper for the upcoming presidential primary, scheduled for January 31, 2026. Mr Agyapong drew the first slot, followed by Dr Bryan Acheampong, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.
According to the Presidential Elections Committee, the exercise was held in collaboration with the Electoral Commission to ensure transparency and fairness. The committee’s secretary, William Yamoah, reiterated the party’s commitment to democratic principles.
“The New Patriotic Party remains steadfast in its resolve to conduct a transparent, credible and peaceful presidential primary as we prepare to elect a flagbearer for the 2026 general elections,” Mr Yamoah said.
As the race intensifies, Mr Agyapong’s remarks are expected to ignite further debate within the NPP as it may be interpreted as a swipe at Dr. Bawumia, who conceded defeat to his main opponent, John Dramani Mahama, in Ghana’s 2024 Presidential Election.
