New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong has sharpened his campaign message with a pointed critique of his opponents, declaring that any candidate whose economic vision for Ghana “starts with a trip to the IMF” has already failed.
In a tweet, the outspoken politician positioned himself as the only aspirant offering a blueprint for a self-reliant economy, free from dependency on external bailouts.
His comments are widely viewed as a direct challenge to rivals within the party, particularly Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who led Ghana’s economic management team during the signing of the country’s current programme with the International Monetary Fund.
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Agyapong’s rhetoric resonates with growing public frustration over Ghana’s repeated recourse to IMF support, which many citizens see as a symbol of economic vulnerability and policy failure.
“You want to lead Ghana, yet your main concern is who can negotiate best with the IMF? Let me be clear: If your vision for Ghana starts with a trip to the IMF, you have already failed,” Agyapong wrote.
The NPP is gearing up for its flagbearer contest to elect a leader for the 2028 general elections.
While other aspirants have focused on managing the current economic crisis, Agyapong’s message pivots the conversation to long-term economic independence.
He argues that Ghana’s frequent return to the IMF is a symptom of a fundamental failure in leadership and economic strategy.
“My vision is to build an economy so self-reliant and powerful that the IMF becomes irrelevant to our national conversation,” he added.
Mr Agyapong’s vision, consistent with his persona as a no-nonsense industrialist, suggests a focus on aggressive domestic investment, job creation through local manufacturing, and strict fiscal discipline to avoid the high debt levels that often necessitate an IMF bailout.
By framing his candidacy as the only alternative to a continuous cycle of foreign dependency, he aims to capture the hearts of voters tired of austerity measures and the rising cost of living.
This strategic move is expected to shape the economic debate among the NPP aspirants in the coming months, forcing his opponents to defend their plans and address the public’s growing fatigue with international financial assistance.