According to Kpebu, the major hurdle facing Mr Nketiah is not his competence or political experience but rather public perceptions about his appearance.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, he acknowledged that the NDC Chairman commands broad support within the party. However, some critics continue to question whether he possesses what they describe as a “presidential look,” a concern reportedly raised in the past by the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.

“The elephant in the room is that, when it comes to optics generally, speaking bluntly, the issue is that Asiedu Nketiah doesn’t usually look the part. But I’m sure it can be managed, because then we look beyond optics,” Kpebu stated.

He cautioned against reducing leadership to appearances, pointing to the example of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

“People have said it several times that Akufo-Addo came with the accent and the swag but ended up as the worst President with corruption,” he remarked.

“When it comes to optics, generally, the issue is that Asiedu Nketiah doesn’t usually look the part, but it can be managed”

– Martin Kpebu on Asiedu Nketiah, Thank You Tour, and political ambition. #JoySMS pic.twitter.com/pgHAOdapNY

— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) September 18, 2025

Despite the optics debate, legal practitioner Martin Kpebu maintained that NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah stands a strong chance of becoming president if he decides to contest and wins the party’s flagbearership.

“It’s possible for him [Asiedu Nketiah] to become President, because the NDC still has a lot of goodwill. If you look at the difference between the votes garnered by John Mahama and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, it’s over 1.6 million votes,” Kpebu explained.

His remarks add to the broader national conversation about succession and leadership within the NDC ahead of the 2028 elections.

Speculation about Mr Nketiah’s future has intensified since his post-2024 election “thank-you tour.” While some observers see it as an early attempt to position himself for a potential 2028 bid, the NDC Chairman has clarified that the tour was simply to show appreciation to party members for their dedication and hard work.

Source: Adomonline

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He wants them to know that not even witches can stop him.

This, according to him, is because he has a presidential ambition he is currently focused on.

Mr Agyarko, who was sacked from office in Akufo-Addo’s first term, made the disclosure on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.

He indicated his ambition has been resisted by many right at the beginning but will not be distracted as he is poised to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to turn Ghana’s fortunes round.

“I am pursuing my own presidential ambition, for which a lot of people kicked against right from the beginning. I will not abandon it to go and do any other thing.

” I am focused on what I have to do for myself and my nation. That is my focus. If you serve with all your strength and the person doesn’t appreciate it, you move on. If I cannot give something a hundred percent, I will not do it,” he said.

Mr Agyarko stressed the most important question for all opposers to ask is whether he deserves to lead which to him is all what matters in his bid.

“Am I not deserving of being the flagbearer of the NPP? I am 66 years and we all know the struggles Akufo-Addo himself went through to become President likewise former President Kufuor who even at age 17 knew he wanted to be president and worked towards it. So I’ll not give up, ” he stated.

According to him, he is not interested in any presidential bid, stating he is satisfied with his current position which allows him to also contribute his quota to national development.

“Sometimes, people believe that it’s their energies and their intellect that brought them in politics but I just firmly believe that the LORD needs you and gives you the energy to do a specific job and when you begin to mission-creep is when you shipwreck,” he told Paul Adom Otchere on Metro TV.

To him, his position as a Finance Minister is fulfilling God’s mandate, one must not need to stretch him or herself beyond that.

“What I believe is He has purposed me to do which is to be technical and to use my brain and to support that.

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“I think we should all understand what our God-given attributes are and not stretch it beyond what He has not mandated us to do,” he added.

However, he waded into the famous break the 8 mantra, expressing optimism the New Patriotic Party will retain power in the 2024 election.

His conviction, he noted, stems from the current policies and programmes rolled out under his ministerial supervision.

According to him, he has over the years had proposals from several individuals concerning the subject but it is not something on his card.

“I have seen insatiable ambition destroy a lot of people so I don’t believe in electing or positioning yourself or self aggrandizing when it comes to the issue of positions in any organisation,” he stated.

The former Deputy Education Minister made the revelation on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Tuesday as he opens up on his views on leadership.

“It is one of the things I see a lot. Anytime I roll out an intervention, people align it to presidential ambition but my view on leadership is that every generation has its own leaders.

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“Leaders emerge from the people and if you make a mistake and think that you are better than everybody else and should be a leader, you will be disappointed,” he added.

He explained he could have contested for the parliamentary seat in about six constituencies but settled for North Tongu because the people wanted him to serve.

“You should never see yourself as cut out for anything because I see that to be ignorance and self-distracting,” he cautioned.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will soon come out with rules and regulations to guide presidential hopefuls to stem early declaration of ambition.

It will address the issue of some aspirants coming out early to test the waters while the restrictions will also help the party focus on delivering its mandate as a government.

The General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, who announced this at a press conference at Techiman last Tuesday, said regional executives from the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions, have endorsed the proposals of the national executives to come out with such rules and regulations.

Presidential candidates

He said that the recent jostling for positions in the party was too early and unnecessary.

According to him, with the party in government, elections for the party’s flag bearer position could only take place 11 months to the next elections in 2024.

Mr Boadu explained that the performance of President Nana Akufo-Addo would enable anybody who becames flag bearer of the party to win the 2024 elections.

Before the press conference, the national executives, led by the national chairman of the party, Freddie Blay, met the regional and constituency executives to thank them for the hard work exhibited during the just ended general election leading to the victory of the party.

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Eight-year cycle

Mr Boadu explained that the national executives would remain focused in their quest to break the eight-year cycle and was not bothered about the person who would lead the party now.

He said the party was working hard through the grassroots to break the eight-year cycle in Ghanaian politics, explaining that the party was not taking anything for granted.

He said the eight-year cycle was unhealthy for the country and expressed confidence that Ghanaians would retain the NPP in power to break the eight-year jinx in 2024.

Registration

He announced that the party would next month begin a nationwide exercise to compile a new register of all its members.

The exercise, which will be conducted at all the party’s 38,000 polling stations in the country, will form part of the party’s restructuring and reorganisation efforts.

New members who desire to join the party will also be encouraged to register.

Mr Boadu said the date for the official commencement would be announced after the party’s National Executive Committee meets to adopt the proposed modalities for its rollout.

Mr Boadu, therefore, urged members of the party and prospective members to take advantage of the registration exercise to get their details captured in the membership register.

The register, he said, shall be kept at the polling station level and updated every six months in line with Article 3(10) of the NPP constitution.

Reclaim seats

During the meeting with the executives, Mr Blay challenged regional and constituency executives in the region to work hard to reclaim their lost seats, especially the Techiman North Constituency.

He charged the executives in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions to go back to the drawing board to find out the cause of the loss of some seats in the three regions in order to correct their mistakes.

Dr Bawumia has explained that he has not given consent to such posters and related activities.

A statement, signed by Dr Bawumia’s Aide, Dr Gideon Boako, noted that Dr Bawumia was focused and committed to supporting President Nana Akufo-Addo to achieve the transformation agenda.

Barely three months into the second term of President Akufo-Addo, some leading members of the party are believed to have subtly declared their presidential ambitions.

Key among them is former Railways Minister, Joe Ghartey. Vice President Dr Bawumia and Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen who are seen to be leading contenders but are yet to declare their intentions.

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Already, their posters are flying on social media with their supporters campaigning vigorously for them.

The New Patriotic Party has described such a conduct as unfair and premature.

Read Dr Bawumia’s statement below:

Mr Agyapong said his tenure as president would have been one of a kind, even with the cars he will drive around.

“I would have used my own cars and I really trusted Akufo-Addo but it seems he has become humble. Look at the E Class vehicle he is driving around; why should I buy my own Rolls Royce and leave it to drive another car,” he quizzed.

Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Oman FM, Mr Agyapong said his presidency would have been one with style and class.

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“It is not as if I cannot be president but I would be President with Style if I wanted to; I will make my appearance known and felt everywhere,” he bragged.

Watch the video below:

View this post on Instagram

This is an insult to AMG clan ????❤❤ u dnt respect our dream car….we won’t buy this shade ….plsssss ?????‍♀️❤

A post shared by those_called_celebs (@those_called_celebs) on Oct 25, 2020 at 7:07am PDT

The rapper, born Michael Owusu Addo, has taken to Twitter to ask fans if they deemed him fit for the 2024 presidential race.

His kite-flying post comes after rapper Medikal and actress Princess Shyngle also made similar declarations.

The post sparked a divided debate over his suitability or otherwise, with a few fans suggesting he had no place in politics while others thought he would do well contesting because of his popularity.

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There were a few extremist fans who trolled the singer, saying he was only being a copycat, coping Kanye West.

Read some of the comments below:

?? W)n shouti pic.twitter.com/f8G7QuWAhX

— Steve Agyemang (@SteveAgyemang3) July 23, 2020

Instead of advising ur so call eye red president @sarkodie to save his money nd help the street, rather than waisting it on campaigns like koom

— JB Allnyc (@jb_allnyc) July 24, 2020

E lef the bipolar thing den we know say you be Kanye Ein child??????

— Jeffrey?? (@__jasondl) July 23, 2020

I swear wanna be kanye paaa ???

— #GoG #sm4lyf?? (@realyoute) July 23, 2020

Wana bee kanye west sia u think stingy people stand for presidents

— #GoG #sm4lyf?? (@realyoute) July 23, 2020

Masa I’m not leaving anytime soon?

— Mr. Prεssdεnt?? (@Opresii) July 23, 2020

You’ve been coping Kanye west saaaa now u also wanna run for president, copiantus ogonos, u go copy his bipolar p333 ??

— Dor__Jolee (@efua_achiaa) July 23, 2020

Kanye has money for his campaign, do you have money for your campaign too.. Because I hear say your poor artist, so please stop copying rich artists.. when they are doing their things, because you can’t help anybody.. You can go for assembly man you deserve it ?????????

— Sammy Tuga (@SammyTu00334180) July 23, 2020

35 years now + 2024 = 39

Sarkodie before chopping prez you for catch 40yrs oo. You kept deducting your age now you see ??

— Wotw3acedi⚪ (@wotw3acedi) July 23, 2020