Kennedy Agyapong

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Hon.
Kennedy Agyapong
MP
Member of Parliament
for Assin Central
Assumed office
7 January 2004
PresidentNana Akuffo-Addo
Preceded byNew constituency
Member of Parliament
for Assin North
In office
1 January 2001 – 6 January 2013
Preceded byFlorence Kumi
Succeeded bySamuel Ambre
Personal details
Born
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong

(1960-06-16) 16 June 1960 (age 63)[1]
Assin Dompim, Central Region, Ghana
Political partyNew Patriotic Party
Alma materFordham University
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionBusinessman
CommitteesDefense and Interior Committee (Chairperson); Judiciary Committee; Special Budget Committee

Kennedy Ohene Agyapong (born 16 June 1960) is a Ghanaian politician and businessman who represents Assin Central in parliament as a member of the New Patriotic Party.[2][3] He was first elected as a member of parliament in 2000 to the seat of Assin North.[4] He retained his seat in the year 2004[5] and 2008 parliamentary elections.[6] In 2012, he was elected in the new seat of Assin Central and was re-elected in 2016. He also retained his seat in the 2020 general elections.[7] He is currently the Chairman of the Parliament's Defense and Interior Committee.[8] As an aspirant in 2023 for the presidential candidacy of the NPP,[2] he lost to Mahamudu Bawumia.

Early life and education[edit]

Ohene Agyapong was born on 16th June, 1960 to Francis Ohene Kofi Agyapong and Mrs. Mary Nsiah at Assin Dompim in the Central Region of Ghana.[1] He had his secondary education at Adisadel College in the Central Region. Agyapong holds a GCE A-Level and studied at the Fordham University, New York, USA. He is a farmer and businessman, director of Assin Farms, Supercare Group of Companies and Hollywood Shopping Centre.

Politics[edit]

Kennedy Agyapong still remains one of the politicians who have never lost an election in Ghana. He was first elected in the year 2000.[9] His intellectual work in the 2016 elections resulted in the victory of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo- Addo.[citation needed]

Kennedy Agyapong chairs the Communication Committee in Parliament, under the current presidency of Nana Akufo-Addo.[10]

Agyapong has vowed to commit suicide if former President John Mahama's brother, Ibrahim, is not jailed by the Akufo-Addo government for some corrupt activities which, according to Agyapong, have led to the state losing money. One example he claimed, was the defaulting of payment of taxes by Ibrahim Mahama for more than a year period when his brother was President of the Republic of Ghana. Agyapong's personal campaign on the issue to bring it to media attention led to the investigation of Ibrahim Mahama and subsequent agreement of Ibrahim Mahama to pay the said taxes. This action earned Kennedy Agyapong praises from a wide section of Ghanaians.[11][12]

Agyapong's indirect attack on the Electoral Commissioner of Ghana Charlotte Osei for, he alleged, trading sex for her position as the Electoral Commissioner (EC) boss brought upon him criticisms from various leaders including Queen mothers and human rights activists as well as other members of parliament.[13] In 2018, following the arrest of Ghana Football Association president Kwasi Nyantakyi, he said that anti-corruption investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas should be stopped before he started investigating people in their "bedrooms whilst asleep".[14] He has repeatedly threatened Anas and was condemned internationally by the committee to Protect Journalists [15] and Reporters Without Borders [16] he stated that Anas' methods were 'unfair'. Speaking live on Adom FM on 4 June 2018, he called Anas "a blackmailer, an extortionist", mimed his throat being cut and said he should be "hanged."[17] He also called for "retribution" against Anas' fellow reporter, Ahmed Hussein-Suale, saying "If he comes here, beat him... Whatever happens, I'll pay." Hussein-Suale was subsequently assassinated.[18][19]

In July 2018, he was cross examined for contempt of Parliament.[20]

He is believed to be the first Ghanaian individual to own an ¢8 million Rolls-Royce,[21] and is believed to also own a private jet, sparking calls for an investigation from the Customs Excise and Preventive Service into his wealth.[22]

Committees[edit]

He is the chairperson for the Defense and Interior Committee; also, a member of the Judiciary Committee and also a member of the Special Budget Committee.[1]

Desire for the presidency[edit]

In May 2022, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong announced his candidacy for the flagbearer position within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).[23][24] He emphasized that his decision is resolute and final. The MP for Assin Central, revealed his intention to compete in the upcoming NPP presidential primaries for the 2024 general elections. According to a report from classfmonline.com, Kennedy Agyapong made this announcement on his television network on Monday, May 16, 2022.

He stated that if he wins the party primaries and the general election, he plans to utilize his initial 100 days as President to transform the mindset of Ghanaians.[25]

I am PHD[edit]

He expressed support for "PHD," which he defined as a practical rather than theoretical approach.[24] He explained that PHD stands for patriotism, honesty, and discipline. He believes these principles, if embraced, can lead to significant positive changes in Ghana within his first 100 days as president. He aims to instill these values in the people to enhance their service to the nation.[26][24]

My Focus is on Tourism[edit]

He highlighted the tourism potential of Ghana's historic castles and forts, particularly those linked to the slave trade and colonialism. Mentioning the oldest Bible in Elmina Castle and other attractions, he aims to leverage these sites to boost tourism and generate income for the country.[24][27]

Employment[edit]

Highlighting the alarming unemployment despite abundant resources, Kennedy Agyapong, the politician and businessman, shared his employment of over 7,000 individuals nationwide. He believes that if he becomes president, he can effectively address the unemployment issue.[28]

Personal life[edit]

He is a Christian and married with 22 children.[29][1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Parliament of Ghana". Parliament of Ghana. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b "I don't fear for my life, 'all die be die' – Kennedy Agyapong – MyJoyOnline.com". Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  3. ^ "No time for demonstration again; our gods will deal with you - Assin youth tells politicians - MyJoyOnline.com". myjoyonline. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  4. ^ "REPUBLIC OF GHANA - LEGISLATIVE ELECTION OF 7 DECEMBER 2000". Adam Carr's Election Archives. Adam Carr. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Electoral Commission of Ghana - Parliamentary Election Results - Date of Election:- Tuesday, 7th December 2004" (PDF). Electoral Commission of Ghana. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  6. ^ "Electoral Commission of Ghana - Parliamentary Election Results - Date of Election:- Sunday, 7th December 2008" (PDF). Electoral Commission of Ghana. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  7. ^ "Assin Central: Kennedy Agyapong retains seat, gets sixth term as MP". Graphic Online. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Akufo-Addo must clear out NPP officials involved in 'galamsey' first, or the fight will fail - Kennedy Agyepong - MyJoyOnline.com". myjoyonline. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  9. ^ Ndetei, Chris (16 August 2018). "Profile: Kennedy Agyapong biography and famous quotes". Yen Ghana news. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  10. ^ ModernGhana (27 September 2017). "Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications Commits To Policy Reforms".
  11. ^ Ayumu, Patrick. "I'll drink poison if Ibrahim Mahama isn't jailed: Agyapong". classfmonline. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  12. ^ "I will poison myself if Ibrahim Mahama is not jailed – Ken Agyapong". Ghanaweb. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Queen mothers petition parliament over Ken Agyapong - GhanaPoliticsOnline". ghanapoliticsonline. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  14. ^ "Let's stop Anas before he gets into our bedrooms - Kennedy Agyapong pleads". GhanaWeb. 27 May 2018. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  15. ^ Avenue, Committee to Protect Journalists 330 7th; York, 11th Floor New; Ny 10001 (4 June 2018). "In Ghana, investigative film crew faces death threats, harassment". cpj. Retrieved 17 January 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "Death threats against well-known Ghanaian investigative journalist - Reporters without borders". RSF. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  17. ^ joe Quaye. "Full Interview of Kennedy Agyapong on Anas on Adom FM". Retrieved 17 January 2019 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ "Football bribes investigator shot dead". BBC News. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  19. ^ "You can't silence me - Anas reacts to the killing of his partner at Madina". ghanaweb. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  20. ^ "Kennedy Agyapong's 'useless parliament' contempt hearing set for July 3". myjoyonline. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  21. ^ "Kennedy Agyapong buys ¢8bn Rolls Royce". ghanaweb. 30 November 2001. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  22. ^ "Photos Of Kennedy Agyapong's Rolls Royce And 'Rumoured' Private jet". ghanavibes. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  23. ^ "Kennedy Agyapong declares intention to contest for NPP flagbearer position". GhanaWeb. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  24. ^ a b c d "It is now Official, Kennedy Agyapong is running for President". Ghananewsonline. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  25. ^ Kabutey, Simon (26 May 2022). "Kennedy Agyapong speaks on his presidential ambition for the first time [Watch]". Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  26. ^ Nyavor, George (19 July 2022). ""Add PHD to my name": Ken Agyapong drops first presidential campaign slogan". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  27. ^ Effah, Evans (4 June 2022). "Video: Ken Agyapong outlines 5 key areas he would focus on as President of Ghana". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  28. ^ "I employ 7,158 workers - Kennedy Agyapong touts job creation efforts". GhanaWeb. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Ghana MPs - MP Details - Agyapong Ohene Ken". ghanamps. Retrieved 27 April 2019.

19.ʌ "Kennedy Agyapong admits that he almost died last month. legitloaded.com. Retrieved 21 July 2020.

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