Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong has been targeted by Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Mavis Hawa Koomson.
The minister takes issue with Agyapong’s persistent criticism of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration throughout campaigning and in the run-up to the November 4 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary.
Speaking over the weekend at a meeting in Kasoa, she cited Agyapong and his wife’s positions as selected by the government as evidence that he had no moral authority to criticize or distance himself from it.
“You are Board Chairman of Ghana Gas, still serving in the role, you haven’t resigned. Your wife is Board Chair of Shippers Council from 2017 till date. So, your wife and yourself are all invested in this government.
“Your wife has given policy direction since 2017 till date, you are still at Ghana Gas, then you turn around to say anyone in the current government must not be elected. Then you are also disqualified. Addai-Nimoh is the ideal candidate then,” she told the gathering, receiving applause.
Koomson has issued a warning against assaults on Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, her favorite candidate in the contest on November 4, twice in the last week.
She issued a warning to Edward Ennin, a former NPP MP for Obuasi East, last week because he had been making fun of Bawumia’s candidacy on a regular basis.
“He should have some discipline and stay off Dr. Bawumia who is the choice of the party. Enin is on record to have said his candidate is Alan, he should focus on his candidate and remove Bawumia’s name from his mouth.
With his assaults on President Bawumia, she accused him of indulging in tribal politics. She also stated that any assertions that President Bawumia will protect current appointments compromised by corruption will inevitably include his principal, Alan Kyerematen.
“If he comes to speak as he wants, we will all come on board even though I haven’t made up my mind to get into any confrontation, let’s all advocate for our candidates…I am a 100% northern woman and a proud one at that.
“Some of his pronouncements anger us, it takes votes from the north and Volta regions to give the party victory, he should remain focused and leave us alone,” she stressed in a radio interview with Accra-based Okay FM.
Kennedy is one of three candidates vying for the flagbearership position: Dr. Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis-Addai-Nimoh.
November 4, 2023 is the date set by the NPP to elect President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s replacement as the party’s leader.
