Take-Aways From The Political Journey Of Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong

Historically, very few men have been able to rise up and redeem their shine - haven taken a fall. However, for those who have allied with truth what seems insurmountable to many becomes a walk in the park.

Mr. Kwabena Agyapong, former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party is one man who has won over the love of all his hitherto ill-wishers. As indicated earlier, truth is one and like a calabash, will surface no matter how deep it sinks. Mr. Agyapong’s love, loyalty, commitment and principled positions on issues with the passage of time has vindicated him.

Mr. Agyapong became General Secretary by winning against the so-called ‘establishment candidate’ at the time. Soon afterwards, rumors of him and others hatching a so-called sinister agenda to sabotage our presidential candidate, now President Akufo-Addo were rife. It was much easier accepting these rumors as they were peddled than distilling them for the truth. What happened thereafter are matters of public records and I shan’t belabor it. In a nutshell, he was hounded and ousted without mercy even though there was consensus that in terms of competence and stature for the role of General Secretary, he was Messi. The NPP party and grassroots needed victory badly and cared less about aesthetics of the road to our desired destination. If you were to say that what the NPP did typified the expression “the end justifies the means”, I wouldn’t begrudge you.

Victory was so important to the NPP that we had to sacrifice some of our best men on the way to achieving it; today many of us agree that Mr. Kwabena Agyapong was collateral damage and was affected because of his principled position which at the time was as suicidal as swimming against the tides.

Today, despite the fact that Mr. Agyapong contested the NPP presidential primary and was unsuccessful, he is as much loved and cherished as our competent and innovative flag bearer H.E Dr. Bawumia. It beggars belief that within a short spate of time, the outcast that was Mr. Kwabena Agyapong has become one of the cornerstones of NPP’s 2024 elections. The cheers he attracts from party faithful whenever there is an occasion is testimony of his ‘redemption’ and approval rating. So how did Mr. Agyapong do it and what lessons are there for aspiring young politicians?

Firstly, the political journey and travails of Mr. Kwabena Agyapong teaches endurance in the midst of adversity. Despite being misunderstood at the time and forced to abdicate, Mr. Agyapong forbore, putting his trust in the ultimate vindicator-time. He never for once tried to scuttle the efforts of the party going into the 2016 elections. With the passage of time, he and the leadership of the party sorted out any differences and his suspension was lifted.

Secondly, a lesson of unflinching loyalty is what can be learnt from Mr. Kwabena Agyapong’s political journey. Mr, Agyapong has been loyal to a fault to the NPP and not even his suspension which most people believed was harsh and lawless could make him bitter and therefore betray his beloved NPP. Going into the 2016 elections when his wounds were still fresh, he kept quiet while others who were similarly affected did their best to cause the defeat of the NPP at the polls but were unsuccessful. Before his suspension was lifted, and towards the 2020 elections, Mr. Agyapong identified with the NPP and endorsed President Akufo-Addo, even going on campaign tours to garner votes for the party while still on suspension. That is a crazy commitment to a cause if you asked me.

Also, and personally, Mr. Agyepong’s story has taught me that there could be victory even in defeat, it all depends on how one plays your cards. After the super-delegates conference to select five presidential aspirants for the primary which Mr. Agyapong didn’t sail through, a lot of people expected him muddy the waters for the NPP by sabotaging it from within with uncomplimentary remarks. Mr. Agyapong being an astute politician and with so much love for the NPP, did the opposite. Media outlets tried to push him to say uncomplimentary things about the party and the elections but he’ll have none of that. He accepted the decision of the delegates, thanked them and rallied behind the elected flag bearer, Dr. Bawumia. Today, even those who beat Mr. Agyapomg at the super delegates conference doesn’t come close to him in terms of popularity with the grassroots except the flag bearer and maybe one other aspirant.

Many, including myself had expected that after all the sacrifices Mr. Agyapong has done for the party and President Akufo-Addo, he will be rewarded with an appointment. That wasn’t to be and he is not embittered. He understands the prerogative of the president and has faith in God’s timing. What I cannot authoritatively say here is whether there was an offer from the President to him which was politely turned down or not. In any case, the lesson here is that in politics, not everything is about appointment. It is easy for people to have expectations but from Mr. Kwabena Agyapong’s political journey, the lesson to be learnt is to limit your expectations in order to avoid disappointments.

In conclusion, Mr. Kwabena Agyapong continue to win hearts in the NPP party especially the grassroots and the services of a fortune teller are not needed to tell as that his political future is bright, especially if he continues to support the party and its flag bearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia beyond the 2024 elections.

Simon Suayam