Failed New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential candidate, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, popularly known as ‘Mr Showdown’, has disclosed his intention to change the fortunes of the nation by “changing and creating opportunities” for the youth, if he is elected as Flagbearer and hopefully become the President after the 2028 General elections.
He noted that time had come to build Ghana for her to be self-sufficient and independent to avoid the dependency on foreign countries for “chicken-change”.
He contended that the nation’s educational system needs to be enhanced to facilitate practical studies to boost practical knowledge of students in various disciplines being pursued.
Mr. Agyapong was addressing students during the NPP’s Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) 2025 Capacity Building Conference “Rise of the Patriots” at the Great Hall of the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), last Friday.
The theme of the conference was: “Empowering the Next Generation of Patriots Political Renewal and Strategic Leadership”. It sought to motivate students to increase the membership of TESCON.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong disclosed that the best thing a government could do for its citizenry was to offer them the opportunity to go to school for free and that it had never been a mistake for one to join the NPP.
Mr. Agyapong urged students to be focused and have a vision so as not to compromise on their (students) convictions for short term gains, emphasising that such an individual is an “ordinary man”, whiles one who does not compromise his/her convictions is a “leader”.
The Presidential Aspirant further advised students to be wary of persons who entice them with gifts and benefits in return for favours, adding that students should soberly reflect on the implications such requests would have on the nation as a whole.
According to Mr Ohene Agyapong, it is only in Ghana and Africa that technical disciplines such as Mechnical Engineering and Electrical Engineering among others are not recognised and appreciated, emphasising that technicians are the backbone of any economy.
He explained that people have the perception that students who enrol in Technical institutions are not good academically, a narrative he (Agyapong) described as wrong and must be changed, emphasising that all disciplines are equally important, but importance must be attached to the technical ones.
Mr. Agyapong stressed that no talent is inferior and advised students to be proud to have a talent. The Presidential Aspirant stressed that completing a university was not a license to success, but one must have a vision and work hard, to complement the knowledge acquired at the university as a springboard to success.
Highlighting the qualities of a visionary leader, Mr Agyapong said one must have a vision and foresight to take decisions and plan for the future.
He cautioned against myopic-minded individuals who tend to destruct their focus and vision.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong also urged Executives of TESCON-KsTU to increase membership.
Mr. Agyapong reiterated that “peace and unity” must be the primary focus of TESCON, which has produced a number of reputable personalities, to ensure NPP wins power in the 2028 General election.
“Get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus and the right people in the right seats”, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong advised, quoting Jim Collins.
From Oswald Pius Freiku, Kumasi
