Controversial politician, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has declared formally his bid for the flagbearership position of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). He said his position is a determined and an irreversible one.
Subsequently, he has urged his numerous supporters not to quaver, as he will not let them down. This came to light last Tuesday, when he met with selected members of the Parliamentary Press Corps at the Noble Hotel at Osu in Accra.
I am PHD
The composed flagbearer hopeful, who also doubles as the Member of Parliamentary (MP) for the Assin Central constituency in the Central Region, stated that he stands for PHD. He explained that his version of the PHD is not the theoretical or bookish type of PHD but the pragmatic one.
Explaining further, he stated that the “P” stands for patriotism, “H” for honesty and “D” stands for discipline – PHD. He maintained that with these principles, he intends to turn the Country’s fortune round in 100 days if given the nod to become president of Ghana. According to him, armed with this vision, he will imbibe into Ghanaians the true tenets of Patriotism, Honesty and Discipline to serve their country better.
I’VE DONE IT BEFORE
While emphasizing that discipline is his hallmark, the NPP Presidential hopeful recounted how he disowned his own son and nephew, who misconducted themselves against some policemen some time past. He stated that when notice came to him while outside the country, he charged the police to deal ruthlessly with the son and nephew in accordance with the law.
I NO GO CHOP FOR YOU TO CHOP SOME
Touching on corruption, ‘Akom Prekoh’ as he is often referred mentioned that he will not corrupt himself for anybody to have the chance to do same. Emphasizing further that he has enough to feed on daily and a fleet of cars, he will not need government cars or cash to corrupt him. He was quick to point out that if even his wife is sighted in an issue of corruption, he will fire her. He emphasized that with his PHD mantra, no one near him dares corrupt himself by going against his PHD mantra!.
AFRICAN LEADERS ARE THEORETICAL
The curious Presidential hopeful could not comprehend why Ghanaians, and for that matter Africans should suffer in the abundance of natural and human resources. This, he attributed to the issue of theory on the part of African leaders, wondering if there are any real leaders on the continent in general and Ghana in particular. According to him, African leaders are only good at theoretical propondments but lacking in their implementation.
EMPLOYMENT
While bemoaning the gasping employment situation in the country in the mist of abundance – materials and human; Hon. Agyapong, a businessman cum politician – wondered why that should be the situation. He revealed that he has over 7,000 employees throughout the country in his personal capacity. Subsequently, should he become the president of the Republic, God willing, the issue of unemployment will become a thing of the past.
TOURISM IS MY TARGET
Ken Agyapong, nicknamed “Akorm Prekoh” for his no-nonsense character stated that tourism will be one of his targets. He revealed that the castles and forts along Ghana’s Coast, which were used for slave trade and colonialism are replit with tourism potentials. He hinted that the oldest Bible with which our colonial masters colonized us, is in the Elmina Castle. Besides, there are many other tourism attractions there and in the other forts and castles around, while many others still abound throughout the country. These, he said, he would explore, not only to boost tourism, but to let it serve as income generation revenue for the country.
AGRICULTURE
The NPP Presidential hopeful could not comprehend why in the midst of abundant arable farming lands, there should be food shortage in Ghana as has been recently alleged, especially in secondary schools. He wondered if there were leaders at all in the country. While maintaining that Ghanaian leaders are not creative, he indicated that he will turn the country’s fortunes around via Agriculture and there will be not only more food to eat, but more to export for revenue and employment for the youth in particular who he stands for.
WE NEED BOLD LEADERS
Hon. Kennedy Agyapong also emphasized the need to have bold leaders in the country to say it all as it is. He pointed out that it is against his principled stance that people misconstrue him on a number of issues. According to him, he does not compromise on issues but speak his mind.
I CAN’T KILL A HUMAN BEING
On the issue of the mystery death of investigative journalist, Ahmed Swale, Hon. Agyapong strongly disassociated himself from the act, stating that he cannot kill a human being. He indicated that the journalist had been tormenting him for some time, and it was then that his attention was drawn to the fact that he (Ken) had even paid for his school fees before. He pointed out that it was at this juncture that he showed him on TV and urged his workers to beat him up anytime he showed up at his premises anymore.
“This did not mean that, I had instructed for his murder!” he explained, stressing that he was sorry for his premature death.
By S. O. Ankamah