Former Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, has raised strong concerns about the character and emotional disposition of former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, warning that his temperament could become problematic even for high-ranking officials if he were ever to assume the presidency.
Mr. Atta Akyea stressed that his comments are not driven by personal animosity, but by what he considers a critical leadership concern. He explained that although he bears no personal ill will toward Mr. Agyapong, he harbours deep doubts about his suitability for the highest office due to what he described as a volatile temperament.
According to him, leadership demands restraint, discretion, and emotional balance, qualities he believes Mr. Agyapong often fails to demonstrate. He cautioned that such a disposition could result in confrontations within government, including potential clashes with cabinet members, noting that patience and the ability to resolve sensitive matters privately are essential traits of effective governance.
Mr. Atta Akyea further argued that presidential leadership goes beyond financial success or mass appeal. He said a head of state must possess emotional resilience and the capacity to withstand pressure without perceiving conflict at every turn. In his view, a president must be able to absorb shocks and manage disagreements calmly, rather than reacting impulsively.
While acknowledging Mr. Agyapong’s achievements in business, the former minister questioned whether those strengths could be successfully translated into effective political leadership. He pointed to the need for a blend of competence, emotional discipline, intellectual depth, and strategic vision, adding that balancing these qualities could prove difficult given Mr. Agyapong’s stage in life.
“How do you refine and manage such a temperament at this age?” he queried.
Speaking during an interview on , Mr. Atta Akyea also addressed allegations surrounding internal party elections. He dismissed claims that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) manipulated its processes to favour Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, insisting that no such scheme existed. He explained that all aspirants had duly appointed agents at polling stations to monitor proceedings, making any alleged rigging implausible.
