Abena Osei-Asare has outlined her support for Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, describing him as the type of leader the New Patriotic Party (NPP) needs to reconnect with its base and regain the confidence of young voters.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana, the former Deputy Finance Minister said the party’s performance in the last elections called for reflection and honest engagement with supporters at the grassroots.
“After the elections, we all saw the results and weren’t happy. I went down to my constituents because I believe that to win any elections, you need to listen to minds and ideas,” she said.
Feedback from her constituents, she explained, highlighted key shortcomings, particularly the party’s failure to consider public sentiment on governance and national issues.
“I asked where we went wrong and what we could do differently. They told me one major fault was not listening to their views on governance and national matters,” she said.
According to Hon. Osei-Asare, the call for Kennedy Agyapong’s leadership came directly from the grassroots.
“I didn’t embark on this journey alone. My constituency executives and I agreed, and they are asking for me to bring Hon. Kennedy Agyapong so we can ensure victory in this constituency,” she said.
She stressed that effective leadership must be built from the base and guided by the will of the people.
“Every win starts from the base. My people have given me the opportunity to serve them, so I must listen to them,” she added.
Beyond her constituency, she said nationwide sentiments favor a candidate who is direct, pragmatic, and firm on discipline within the party.
“Currently, the country wants someone who is pragmatic, says it as it is, and can restore discipline within our party. I believe the discipline level has declined,” she noted.
Hon. Osei-Asare described Kennedy Agyapong as a politician known for honesty and firmness.
“Everyone stands for something, but for him, he stands for honesty and discipline,” she said.
Touching on youth participation, she emphasized that honesty and discipline would help the NPP regain the confidence of young voters, who form a significant portion of the electorate.
“Young people are more interested in jobs and opportunities than party loyalty. Kennedy Agyapong’s business background positions him to address these concerns,” she said.
She further linked his vision to the NPP’s industrialization agenda.
“He knows the business landscape and, with the industrialization drive through policies like 1D1F, we can champion even more ideas,” she said.
Hon. Osei-Asare revealed that Kennedy Agyapong’s visit to her constituency left a strong impression on residents.
“He came to my constituency and opened their eyes to the possibilities one can achieve,” she said.
Concluding her remarks, she urged party delegates and the youth to rally behind him.
“Kennedy Agyapong stands tall. I urge the youth and delegates to give him the chance,” she said.
