Former Lands Minister John Peter Amewu has asserted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) must make an unconventional choice for its flagbearer to reclaim power in the 2028 general election. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Mr. Amewu emphasized that the upcoming election would not be a routine contest, thus demanding a candidate who can respond to a broader national call rather than merely party internal calculations. He posited that the party requires a "medium" to foster unity, especially after its loss in the 2024 general election, which has triggered an intense internal race among several high-profile figures.

Mr. Amewu's declaration of support for Kennedy Ohene Agyapong as the most suitable candidate stems from his extensive personal and professional interactions with all the leading contenders. He highlighted his opportunities to engage with the five figures vying for the flagbearship, tracing these interactions back to his tenure as Hohoe Mayor in 2005 and 2006, and later as a cabinet minister and Member of Parliament. While acknowledging the exceptional qualities and core competencies of all candidates—including Kwabena Agyapong, whom he described as an "excellent man of all qualities," Dr. Yaw Adutwum, Bryan Acheampong, and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, under whom he served in the economic management team—Mr. Amewu maintained that the 2028 election requires more than just competence.

His endorsement of Mr. Agyapong is profoundly informed by what he described as "listening to the ground." Mr. Amewu recounted engaging with various segments of the population, including taxi drivers, market women, nurses, doctors, and the general public. He stated that the sentiment he gathered consistently pointed in one direction, leading him to conclude, "The whole nation wants Kennedy." He clarified that Mr. Agyapong is not merely an individual, but a "medium" through which this widespread national desire is expressed. When challenged on this claim by host Evans Mensah, Mr. Amewu reiterated that voter sentiment, rather than elite opinion, should ultimately guide the party's decision-making process.

Elaborating on his assessment criteria, Mr. Amewu introduced the concept of "swing factors," which he estimates account for 65 to 70 percent of electoral outcomes. These factors are categorized into external and internal elements. External factors encompass economic indicators and performance, while internal factors relate directly to the candidate's attributes, such as empathy, leadership skills, level of collaboration, attentiveness, and vision. After carefully weighing these internal factors across all the aspiring candidates, Mr. Amewu concluded that Kennedy Ohene Agyapong stood out as the "most competitive."

Mr. Amewu further explained that many may not fully grasp Mr. Agyapong's broad appeal due to a lack of direct interaction. However, his own experience as a minister and MP, affording him direct engagement with Mr. Agyapong, shaped his strong conviction. He asserted that while the other candidates are equally capable, the unique demands of the 2028 election mean they "may not be on the same level of platform with Kennedy in terms of the weight that people may have behind him." For Mr. Amewu, Mr. Agyapong possesses a crucial "competitive advantage" that is essential for the NPP to win back power in what he considers an unusual political climate. This rationale, he stated, fundamentally underpins his support for Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.