Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, one of the five (5) presidential hopefuls of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has distanced himself from the failures of the Akufo-Addo government.
According to the astute engineer, he cannot be faulted for the abysmal performance of the administration because he was not part of it under the last eight (8) years.
Speaking on his ambition to lead the NPP as it flagbearer for the 2028 general election, the onetime general secretary argued that he should be assessed differently from the rest.
In his view, delegates of the party should look at his clean record, unblemished integrity and long-standing commitment to the party and service to the nation.
He wants the party and by extension Ghanaians to oblige him the opportunity to bring a clean pair of hands and accountability they so desire for the office.
The last time the politician was seen actively involved in government was under former president John Kufuor, where he was the Press Secretary to the president.
Meanwhile, in as much as there may be some substance in Kwabena Agyepong’s assertion, some have said he cannot completely detach himself from the administration.
They say even though records show that he was never appointed into government, he was deeply involved in the reelection of the former president.
Agyepong, they said was seen many occasions and platforms with Akufo-Addo in the 2020 general election, campaigning with him across the country. Many had anticipated that when the NPP retains the seat, he was going to be appointed into office but this did not occur.
In the last election, he was also one of the leading lights in the NPP and flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia campaign that was seeking to break the 8.
He was one of the former vice president’s leading advisors and here again, toured the country with him.
The NPP on January 31, 2026 go to the polls to elect it flagbearer for the 2028 election. Even though the decision to elect the flagbearer is totally different from what the party is used to do, it says it has chosen this path to curtail the acrimonies that have characterized the running of the party.
The process to elect the flagbearer which has commenced has so far five aspirants including Agyepong: namely the leading contender former vice president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, businessman and former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Assin Central constituency Ken Ohene Agyapong.
The remaining two are the MP for the Abetifi constituency and former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Bryan Acheampong. MP for Bosomtwe constituency and former Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum.
By Gifty Baoteng