Businessman and maverick former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has ruled out participating in any future flagbearership contest of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), citing loss of trust in politicians and negative experiences from the party’s recent internal elections.
Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM) following his defeat in the NPP’s flagbearership race to fomer Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Mr. Agyapong said he would not allow himself to be “used” again and would not subject himself to what he described as personal attacks and disrespect.
Mr. Agyapong, who will turn 64 this year, said contesting again would amount to “assaulting” himself, noting that elections are unpredictable and that losing should not attract insults and disparaging remarks.
“I will not do that to my party,” he said, adding that his decision was informed by lessons learned during the just-ended election.
He explained that his mistrust was directed largely at politicians, accusing some individuals he had supported politically of turning against him after attaining positions of power.
“You can help somebody to get a position, and when he gets the position, he forgets how he started,” Mr. Agyapong said, alleging that some beneficiaries of his support later made derogatory statements about him to protect their own positions.
While insisting he was not bitter about Dr. Bawumia’s victory, Mr. Agyapong admitted he was hurt by insults he said came from people he had personally assisted to become Members of Parliament and ministers.
“If you are not going to vote for me, no problem,” he said. “But the insults—I can’t forgive them.”
He stressed that he had no issue with politicians who opposed him without having received his support, but described the conduct of those he had helped as “very difficult to forgive.”
Mr. Agyapong also dismissed suggestions that his grievances were financially motivated, stating that he was financially secure and capable of taking care of himself.
He indicated, however, that he remained open to reconciliation if those who offended him approached him to acknowledge their actions.
The NPP flagbearership contest was won by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is expected to lead the party into the next general election.
