Adwoa Safo Defends Kennedy Agyapong Over Nepotism Claims

Former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has defended New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, describing him as a principled leader who would not appoint family members into government if elected.

Speaking on a political affairs programme monitored by GHOne TV, Adwoa Safo stated that Kennedy Agyapong’s personal values and long-standing public posture suggest he would resist the temptation of nepotism, a practice that has often drawn public criticism in Ghana’s political space.

Her comments have since sparked national conversation, particularly on whether refusing to appoint relatives into government should be considered a strong leadership credential or merely a basic expectation of public office holders.

Reacting to the development, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a Constitutional Rights and Policy Strategy Advisor at Democracy Hub, questioned the narrative being built around the claim. In a widely shared commentary, he asked whether not appointing family members into government should be celebrated as an extraordinary virtue.

“Adwoa Safo is saying that Kennedy Agyapong is so principled, he won’t appoint family members into government. Isn’t that a good thing?” Barker-Vormawor queried, igniting debate across social and traditional media platforms.

The discussion comes at a time when governance standards, accountability, and ethical leadership remain key issues for voters ahead of the next general elections. Critics argue that avoiding nepotism is a constitutional and moral obligation rather than an exceptional leadership trait, while supporters believe Kennedy Agyapong’s stance signals a commitment to merit-based governance.

As internal party dynamics continue to evolve within the NPP, such statements are expected to shape public perception of aspirants seeking to lead the party and, potentially, the nation.