Afenyo-Markin says Kennedy Agyapong is one of his most trusted friends
The Minority Leader in Parliament and MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has shed light on why former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, secured an overwhelming victory in Effutu during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on February 16, 2026, Afenyo-Markin recounted his longstanding personal and political relationship with Kennedy Agyapong, highlighting years of financial support and joint community development projects.
According to him, Agyapong once invested $5 million into his business without any formal contractual agreement a gesture he described as a significant personal risk taken purely out of trust and friendship.
Kennedy Agyapong polled 644 votes in Effutu during the NPP presidential primaries, compared to 79 votes secured by former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
The results generated public discussion, with some supporters suggesting that although Afenyo-Markin did not openly campaign for Agyapong, he may have played a role in his strong showing in the constituency.
However, Afenyo-Markin dismissed the suggestion and insisted that Agyapong’s victory was the result of years of tangible support to the people of Winneba.
“You know the numbers and some of your colleagues are in a mischief mood…It is no news that Kennedy won in Winneba. He is my friend. Don’t waste your time on this matter. The gentleman has been very helpful to the people of Winneba.
I share ‘a code’ with Ken Agyapong – Afenyo-Markin speaks after NPP primaries criticism
“In 2012, on election day, when we needed funds for our clean-up exercise, he drove all the way from Assin to Winneba to support us. When I won in 2012 and we were in opposition in 2013, he gave Winneba 22 brand-new taxis, tear rubber, under a work-and-pay arrangement. He also provided a tractor which we sent to the rural areas and supplied outboard motors to support fishermen, “he said.
He continued, “It was not free; it was work and pay and I paid but the relationship started long ago. In fact, we are related. My great-grandfather moved from Effutu to Assin to establish a cocoa farm.
“…when my business ran down, Kennedy gave me $5 million. We did not sign any agreement. He simply said we are businessmen. That was a risk he took on me. The entire constituency knows about the help he has given. In fact, I am constructing a major ICT facility at Osubonpanyin, which will be named after him. It was conceived about five years ago and it is a big project.”
He added that in 2018, Agyapong again guaranteed the acquisition of Suzuki vehicles for youth in the constituency under another work-and-pay scheme.
“So, it is a relationship we have…I do not expect anyone to suggest that I should cut ties with him. That would not be right. We are more than family; there is history between us. People should stop reading meaning into the primary results. We have moved past that.”
AM
Cabinet instructs COCOBOD to begin repayment to all affected cocoa farmers
