ACCRA — In a rare moment of candor from within the ruling party, Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central and one of the New Patriotic Party’s most prominent voices, has called on the NPP to issue a public apology to Ghanaians for the financial pain endured under its watch before launching into the 2024 election campaign.
Speaking at the Ablekuma South Constituency campaign launch, Agyapong said the party cannot hope to reconnect with voters unless it acknowledges the inflation, job losses, and economic tightening that have tested the patience of households across Ghana.
“We must approach Ghanaians with humility, apologize, and admit our mistakes before we can persuade anyone to vote for us,” Agyapong told the gathering. “If we ignore the hardships Ghanaians are experiencing, they will not listen to us.”
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The comments have rippled through political and economic circles, offering a rare moment of introspection from a senior figure within the governing party. Analysts from Accra Street Journal note that the remarks stand in sharp contrast to the traditional campaign posture of defending the party’s economic stewardship at all costs.
A Costly Economic Backdrop
Ghana has faced persistent economic headwinds over the past few years — including a currency under pressure, rising public debt, and surging inflation that reached over 40% at its peak in 2023. While international shocks — from COVID-19 fallout to the Russia-Ukraine conflict — played a role, critics argue that domestic fiscal mismanagement exacerbated the crisis.
Unemployment, especially among the youth, remains high. Food prices continue to outpace income growth. And although GDP growth turned positive in 2024, real wages remain stagnant, and confidence in public financial management is still fragile.
“It’s not just about economic data — it’s about lived experience,” said one SKB Journal political economist. “Kennedy Agyapong’s remarks reflect a growing recognition within the NPP that public trust must be earned back.”
Campaign Reset: Bawumia and a New Tone
Agyapong, who himself was a contender in the NPP’s 2023 presidential primaries, now says he is throwing his full support behind Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s 2024 presidential nominee. But he insists that rebranding the campaign message — away from slogans and toward substance — is crucial.
“Let’s give the NPP another chance, and I believe we have all learned our lessons,” he said. “We won’t sit back; we will all support Dr. Bawumia to win.”
Observers say his statement signals a tactical shift within the party — from defense to reconciliation. Whether this translates into a coherent national strategy remains to be seen.
Proposed Policy Reset: Industry and Jobs
In his speech, Agyapong also outlined broad-strokes policy ideas to ease economic pain. These included targeted investments in local industries, better infrastructure spending, and reforms to make Ghana a more business-friendly environment capable of attracting both foreign and domestic capital.
While not offering detailed fiscal plans, the focus on job creation and industrialization aligns with the party’s evolving campaign narrative — one that increasingly centers on post-crisis rebuilding and long-term resilience.
Still, critics warn that promises alone will not suffice.
“Apologies are fine, but voters will want proof that lessons have truly been learned,” said an Accra-based political strategist.
What It Means Ahead of December 2024
With just months to go before the general elections, Agyapong’s remarks may have opened a strategic path for the NPP to reposition itself as contrite but capable — a party that has stumbled, but is willing to confront its flaws.
Whether the party adopts his recommendation across national platforms remains unclear. But in a political climate rife with cynicism, a message of humility may resonate louder than more promises.
Last Updated on June 13, 2025 by
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
