The Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has denied reports that he endorsed the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who is seeking to lead the ruling NPP in 2024.
The Suame MP was reported to have endorsed Kennedy Agyapong during his visit to the Suame constituency over the weekend as part of his Ashanti regional campaign tour.
Responding to the allegations on the Oyerepa Breakfast Show, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs refuted the endorsing claims.
“I went to listen to Kennedy Agyapong’s message because I will go and listen to any candidate who comes to my constituency if only I am in Kumasi. I talked about Ohene Agyapong. I was the first to speak before him.”
“What I said was that we practice the presidential system, but we have added a residential system to it. In America, they use the presidential system. I said that if one were to become president of the US, the person would be a member of parliament, a legislator, a senator, or a member of the House of Representatives”.
“Legislators, governors, or vice presidents—these three personalities always become presidents in America. Trump was the first president who was not a parliamentarian, governor, or vice president. Kennedy’s long service in parliament qualifies him to be a candidate. The Americans had done it; Trump was a businessman, and if Ghanaians also want a businessman, then Ken qualifies to contest.
“I said two things about him. I did not endorse him. I commended Ken Ohnene Agyapong. A recommendation doesn’t mean I have endorsed him.” The Majority leader stated.
The Suame lawmaker further explained that when it comes to flagbearership, Kennedy Agyapong knows his stand.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has set November 4, 2023, as the date for its presidential primaries to select a flagbearer for the general elections in 2024.
However, if more than five candidates file to run in the primaries, the party will call a Special Congress on August 26.
Meanwhile, the Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng, the MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, and the former Agriculture Minister, Akoto Afriyie, have declared their intentions to contest for the presidential candidate position of the party for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com
