The competition for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate in the Bantama Constituency is shaping up to be an intense showdown between the current Member of Parliament, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and Ralph Kwame Agyapong.
During a recent event marking the inauguration of a library built by the incumbent MP in the constituency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commended his former deputy Chief of Staff. The president urged the electorate in Bantama to support Asenso-Boakye in the party’s upcoming primaries and the general election.
“It will hurt me so much if the people of Bantama throw him away. Give him the opportunity to represent you again and he will come and continue the good job he has been doing,” he urged.
In reaction to the president’s endorsement of his rival, Ralph Agyapong has disclosed that he too is garnering significant support from influential figures within the party.
This includes the backing of his brother, Kennedy Agyapong, who serves as the Member of Parliament for Assin Central and was a former hopeful for the NPP flagbearer position.
During an interview on Angel FM Kumasi, Ralph revealed that he enjoys support from various regional chairmen, including Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye, from the Bono Region and Kwabena Owusu Sekyere from the Ahafo Region.
“He supports me more than 1,001%. He repeated this two days ago. I was sitting with him in the room and he said, ‘Bantama, even if they like it, I will come and live there and do the work,” he stated.
According to Ralph, the president’s endorsement of Asenso-Boakye has opened the floodgates for his camp to go all out in the campaign.
“Has the president not come to do some of the work and gone? So it will be nice going forward; when he comes, Ken also comes, and then the two of us will also be facing off.
“Do you know those who want to come for me? Abronye is currently lurking at Asokwa. He says I should open up for him and I told the chairman to relax. Bantama will be exciting, so keep your eyes on Bantama. People are lacing their boots; Ahafo Chairman Sekyere has laced his boots and is stomping his feet,” he added.
Ralph Agyapong played a crucial role in supporting Kennedy Agyapong’s bid for the NPP flagbearer position, a campaign that ultimately ended with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emerging as the winner.
According to Ralph, he has received unwavering support from his brother to secure victory over Asenso-Boakye in the upcoming NPP primaries scheduled for early 2024.
Ralph contends that, under Asenso-Boakye’s leadership, the Bantama Constituency has experienced a lack of development, with allegations of oppression against party executives and delegates.