Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a potential candidate in the party’s upcoming flagbearer race, has made a clarion call for a recalibration of Ghana’s political culture—one rooted in the enduring values of sacrifice, service, and selflessness.
He made the call during a commemorative event held at the NPP Headquarters at Asylum Down, Accra, to mark 78 years since the founding of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC)—the political movement widely regarded as the genesis of Ghana’s nationalist struggle and the philosophical anchor of the NPP tradition.
Addressing party stalwarts, youth activists, and invited dignitaries at the event, Ing. Agyepong urged a reset of the nation’s political ethos to reflect the selfless spirit that drove the UGCC founders and the early leadership of the NPP.
“Our democracy did not come on a silver platter,” he reminded the audience. “People paid with their lives, lost their businesses, and went into exile for the freedoms we enjoy today. We cannot allow political convenience or personal ambition to erode that legacy.”
Calling for a return to principled leadership, Ing. Agyepong stressed the need to raise a new generation of public servants anchored in character, integrity, and a deep sense of duty to the nation.
Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Dr. J.B. Danquah and other UGCC stalwarts, he noted, “They believed in duty over privilege. The NPP must rediscover that spirit of sacrifice. We must build a political culture where everyone prepares to give up something for the collective good.”
The former presidential spokesperson described the prevailing political environment as lacking the moral courage and ethical clarity required to steer the country in the right direction.
“Leadership must be viewed as a call to serve, not a reward to exploit. We need leaders with spine, leaders who will not be swayed by greed or fear,” he stated.
While reaffirming the NPP’s long-standing commitment to property-owning democracy, Ing. Agyepong cautioned that the party’s soul lies in centrist and inclusive governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people.
“The heart of politics must be the well-being of the people. That is the compass that must guide our decisions. If we fail to centre our politics around the needs of the ordinary Ghanaian, then we’ve truly lost our way,” he said.
Reflecting on the pressures that come with holding public office, Ing. Agyepong noted that true leadership is tested in moments of ethical dilemmas. “When you’re in a position of power, people will push you to do the untold. That is why we must raise leaders who stand firm in principle, not just popularity,” he advised.
He urged members of the party and the nation at large to embrace an “all for one, one for all” attitude in national and political life.
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