Former Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, has raised serious concerns about the suitability of former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, for the presidency, citing what he describes as a volatile temperament that could pose risks at the highest level of leadership.

Speaking candidly, Mr Atta Akyea said his concerns are not rooted in personal differences but in what he believes are fundamental leadership shortcomings.

“I have no issues with Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, not even a single one. However, leadership consists of many factors. I am concerned about the man’s temperament. I fear he could even assault a cabinet minister; he has a bad temperament.

There is nothing he shows patience with, and he does not know how to handle matters behind closed doors,” he said.

According to the former minister, the role of president demands emotional balance and restraint, qualities he believes Mr Agyapong has not consistently demonstrated in public life.

“A president must have shock absorbers—someone who can take pressure, manage conflict calmly and not see enemies everywhere,” he explained. “Leadership is about composure under stress.”

While acknowledging Mr Agyapong’s success in business, Atta Akyea argued that political leadership requires a broader mix of attributes, including vision, intellectual depth and emotional intelligence.

“He is a good businessman, and we can support him in that regard,” he said. “But when you consider competence, temperament, intellectual capacity and vision, the challenge is how you mould or tame these traits at this stage of his life.”

In the same interview on UTV, Atta Akyea also dismissed claims that the New Patriotic Party manipulated internal elections in favour of former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“There has never been an NPP election deliberately rigged for Bawumia,” he insisted. “Every aspirant had agents at polling centres, and the process was transparent.”

His remarks add to the growing internal debate within the NPP as the party prepares for a keenly contested presidential primary ahead of the 2026 general elections.