Kwesi Nyantakyi, former President of the Ghana Football Association and a member of Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign team, has described the former Assin Central Member of Parliament as the most credible and risk-minimising candidate in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearership race.

Kennedy Agyapong is contesting the NPP flagbearership alongside former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Mr Kwabena Agyepong.

Speaking in support of Mr Agyapong, Mr Nyantakyi said most of the aspirants were closely linked to the previous NPP administration, which suffered defeat in the December 2024 general election.

“Apart from him and Kwabena Agyapong, the other three were active members of the government of the NPP, leading to the defeat. So, you can conveniently rope them in and blame them for the poor performance of the party in the December 2024 election,” he said.

He argued that Kennedy Agyapong’s association with the shortcomings of the previous administration was minimal, making him a more attractive option to voters.

“The link between him and the inadequacies of the previous regime is minimal or remotely indirect to him. He comes off as somebody with a clean slate. He comes as a person of his own and policies you can relate to,” Mr Nyantakyi said.

He added that the former lawmaker enjoyed broad appeal across different segments of the population, including young people and non-party members.

“Not surprisingly, the Gen Z, the older generation, and people who are not members of the NPP relate so well with Kennedy Agyapong. So, I think that he stands tall and has the traits that will make him an electable candidate in 2028,” he said.

Mr Nyantakyi further said Mr Agyapong’s message distinguished him from the other contenders, describing him as an unconventional and courageous politician.

“His message sets him apart from the rest. Apart from the likability for him as a person, he comes across as an unconventional politician, very courageous, truthful, and honest,” he said.

He noted that Mr Agyapong was often praised for his empathy and support for vulnerable people, citing his philanthropic activities as evidence of his concern for ordinary Ghanaians.

Mr Nyantakyi also said unemployment remained a major national challenge and praised Mr Agyapong for making job creation central to his campaign.

“In Ghana, as we speak now, we are faced with an issue of unemployment, and he is the only NPP flagbearer aspirant whose message hinges on unemployment,” he said.