The article entitled (“Ghana Needs a Fighter — And Kennedy Agyapong Is That Fighter”) by Kwame Addo Asirifi, is a poor attempt to glorify the now “Born Again Christian”, Kennedy Agyapong. I was made to believe that the 65 years old had changed, measured in speech and mindful of his public conduct. Ghana today is a civic and civilized society that no longer celebrates ineffable speeches or unguarded utterances.
It is, however, unfortunate that some of Kennedy’s supporters continue to project him in ways that reinforce the very image he’s moving from impervious to correction, willfully unruly, and uncontrollable in tone. If this is the standard you expect from Kennedy Agyapong, then he is neither qualified for the presidential contest nor fit to occupy the highest office of the land.
For two decades, Ghana was ruled by a barker. What did we truly gain from that experience? It took the calm composure and intellectual depth of President John Agyekum Kufuor to restore dignity, civility, and a sense of gentlemanly conduct to the presidency.
Ghana does not need loud voices or combative personalities; we need thinkers as leaders, those with moral restraint, emotional intelligence, and the temperament to guide our democracy toward maturity. The presidency is not a platform for anger or aggression but a seat of vision, character, and composure.
So far, among the NPP contestants, the true students of Ghana’s finest traditions of leadership embodied by Kufuor and Nana Addo, are as follows:
- The Brain – Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia: A leader of intellect, economic acumen, technical expertise; arguably Ghana’s finest Vice President and selfless.
- The Smarty – Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum: A visionary in education and strategy, demonstrating cleverness, reform-minded leadership and self control.
- The Sharpener – Dr. Bryan Acheampong: A pragmatic reformer who sharpens policies, strengthens institutions, drives national progress and tolerance.
- The Courageous – Kwabena Agyei Agyepong: A man of principle and political fortitude, embodying bravery, intelligence, integrity and perseverance.
A president must possess a blend of intellect, wisdom, effectiveness, self-control, and courage. These figures, Bawumia, Adutwum, Acheampong, and Agyepong, exemplify these essential qualities.
Osɔfo Nii Naate Atswele Agbo Nartey
