By Emmanuel Sowah
former Western North Regional Minister, Joojo Rocky Obeng, has publicly thrown his weight behind Kennedy Agyapong, the outspoken former Member of Parliament for Assin Central and a prominent contender in the 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries.
While some see this endorsement as a sign of party loyalty and foresight, others—including grassroots members and party insiders—question the political judgment and motivations behind such a move. The critical question remains: should someone whose tenure coincided with some of the NPP’s worst electoral defeats in the Western North Region be positioning himself as a strategic influencer in the party’s future?
Under Rocky Obeng’s stewardship, the NPP suffered significant setbacks. The Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai seat, held by the NPP since 2004, was lost under his watch. Even more concerning was the party’s defeat in Akontombra and Sefwi Wiawso—once considered strongholds. These losses reflected more than just voter dissatisfaction; they exposed the party’s weakened structures and diminishing grassroots engagement during his leadership.
A common refrain among local party faithful is Obeng’s lack of visibility and accessibility. As a regional leader, he was expected to galvanize the base, yet reports consistently indicate his absence from key meetings and strategic events. The youth wing, TESCON chapters, and regional communication teams were notably neglected, with many operating without logistical support or clear direction.
Given this background, Obeng’s recent high-profile support for Kennedy Agyapong—marked by a donation of a property in East Legon and promises of financial and spiritual support—raises eyebrows. Is this a calculated effort to align with a popular candidate, or an attempt to cleanse a tarnished political image?
If this were a matter of genuine party commitment, one might ask: why wasn’t that same East Legon property offered in support of the NPP’s national campaign for the 2024 general elections—a moment that required collective sacrifice? True loyalty to the party should extend beyond aspirants to the party’s overall success and unity.
Endorsements in politics carry weight, but only when backed by a credible track record. The NPP must move beyond symbolic gestures and demand accountability and competence from those who seek to shape its future. The era where past leaders use high-profile endorsements to mask underperformance must come to an end.
The Western North Region, in particular, deserves leaders who are present, engaged, and results-oriented. Constituents and party supporters are no longer swayed by hollow rhetoric or political theatrics. They want development, inclusion, and victories at the polls.
As the NPP navigates its path forward, it must critically evaluate not just who is being endorsed—but also who is doing the endorsing.
Source:Andrews Ampomaning-Aboagye
