In a candid address to TESCON members in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, Kennedy Agyapong, the former Member of Parliament for Assin Central and a Presidential hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), acknowledged the challenges his party will face as it seeks to regain power in the 2028 general elections.
His remarks came after the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general elections, where former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia ran as the party’s presidential candidate but was unsuccessful against John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NPP’s loss in 2024 has left the party in opposition, a position that Kennedy Agyapong openly discussed in his address.
Reflecting on the road ahead, he said, “It’s not going to be easy in 2028. It’s going to be tough, but with unity, I’ll show you we have the men.”
Kennedy Agyapong, who had contested Bawumia for the NPP’s presidential ticket during the internal primaries but lost, reiterated his belief that the party could reclaim its strength and ultimately win back the presidency in 2028, despite the hurdles ahead.
“We need to come together and become one formidable force that is ready to fight,” Ken Agyapong urged his fellow party members, urging them to rally behind a single cause.
His call for unity is in response to the fractured nature of the party after the 2024 defeat and his own previous loss to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Agyapong’s remarks come as he prepares to contest once again in the NPP’s upcoming internal presidential primaries.
While Dr Mahamudu Bawumia emerged as the 2024 flagbearer, Agyapong’s ambition has not waned, and he is determined to secure the NPP’s nomination for the 2028 election cycle.
“Gather the men, put them together, and there will be a showdown,” he declared, signaling his readiness for the internal race that could see him finally lead the party into the next general elections.
In his address, Kennedy emphasized the importance of self-reflection for the party.
“I say this verse to everyone. I encourage you to go back, reflect soberly on what went wrong, and what the solutions are,” he said.
His statement was not just aimed at understanding the reasons behind the NPP’s loss in 2024 but also at fostering an environment of introspection and growth within the party, ensuring that mistakes are not repeated.
However, as a controversial but influential figure within the NPP, Agyapong also sought to bridge divides, particularly within the party.
“Who feels he has offended me, I have forgiven him,” he said, extending an olive branch to those who may have disagreed with his approach or his previous bid for the presidency.
This statement reflected his intent to heal internal wounds and present a united front for the future.
With the NPP now in opposition and grappling with the loss of power to John Mahama’s NDC in 2024, the road ahead for Kennedy Agyapong and the party remains fraught with challenges.
However, Agyapong’s message was one of resilience and hope.
He urged party members to rally behind him as he seeks to lead the NPP back to power in 2028.
The upcoming NPP primaries will likely be a fierce contest, with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Ken Agyapong, who has long been an outspoken critic of the party’s leadership, positioning himself as the one who can bring the necessary change.
For Ken Agyapong, it’s not just about winning the internal race—it’s about leading the party through a period of reconstruction and ultimately regaining control of the presidency in 2028.
