Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a member of the campaign team for presidential hopeful Kennedy Agyapong, has confidently predicted that Agyapong will secure the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential ticket for the first time and go on to win the presidency.
In an interview on Abusua965FM’s AbusuaAdwenekyere program, hosted by Osempakani , Dr. Danquah refuted claims made by former Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu that no Ghanaian politician has ever won power on their first appearance on the ballot.
Danquah pointed to National Democratic Congress (NDC) founder Jerry John Rawlings as an example, citing his 1992 electoral victory as proof to the contrary.
“Jerry John Rawlings won an election on his first ballot in 1992,” Dr. Danquah said.
When asked about the argument that Rawlings was transitioning from military to democratic rule, Danquah dismissed the distinction, saying, “He could have lost. You can’t explain the electoral college system.”
He challenged Kyei Mensah Bonsu to reconsider his position, emphasizing, “Kennedy Agyapong will be on the ballot for the first time and win the presidency. If it hasn’t happened before, it did happen with Jerry John Rawlings for the NDC, and the same will happen with Kennedy Agyapong.”
On a related subject, Dr. Danquah was asked about the party’s reluctance to fully back former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s 2028 presidential bid, especially given the strong performance he had in the 2024 general elections.
Dr. Danquah observed that Bawumia’s record 4 million votes in 2024 were unprecedented but stressed that each election cycle resets voter dynamics.
“We do not build on past votes; every election starts from zero,” he said.
When questioned about the argument from the Bawumia camp that Bawumia has been marketed during the 2024 election campaign that should ease his path in 2028, Dr. Danquah dismissed this notion.
He clarified, “We didn’t market him. How was he marketed when he marketed himself and the people bought him (voted for him)?..The parliamentarians were more sold than him.
He further pointed out a historical trend within the NPP, stating, “From 1996, all NPP flagbearers have outperformed their parliamentary candidates combined. Can same be said about Bawumia?,” he asked.
Dr. Danquah concluded with a familiar adage: “There’s a saying that good things sell themselves.”
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
