Why Kennedy Agyapong will never use swear words at the UN

In every campaign season, tempers rise, jabs are thrown and comments emerge that may not fully reflect the depth of a person’s character. It is in this light that I wish to address the discussion surrounding the recent remark made by Samuel Atta Akyea, a man I have served closely and admired for years. I know him as a refined gentleman of intellect, courtesy and discipline. This present controversy does not erase that truth.

I appreciate the passion with which members of Team Ken have responded, but I advise restraint. Atta Akyea is a product of a fully Ghanaian educational upbringing from primary school through to the Bar.

Naturally, there are cultural contexts and generational expressions that may not sit comfortably within his worldview. That is not a fault. It is simply a reflection of one’s background.

Cultural language evolves across societies. I once lived with an Italian-Ghanaian family after secondary school while teaching the woman’s son. It was during that period that I realised how Italians casually use expressions like “porca miseria” in moments of frustration. They often laugh after saying it. It has simply become part of their everyday emotional vocabulary.

The same is true in our own communities. I have lived among Ga families in Teshie, Nungua and La, and so when I saw the video of a Presbyterian priest preaching in Ga and using the popular chant “Baa yɛ nsooɔɔ”, I understood it immediately.

Many criticised him, yet those who have lived within Ga communities know that this phrase has, over time, become a common emphatic interjection rather than a true vulgarity. Cultural immersion teaches understanding.

Against this background, I can understand why Atta Akyea may struggle to appreciate how certain emphatic expressions, often used by the younger generation or within cosmopolitan environments, no longer carry their literal force.

He has two sons, one UK trained in law and the other US trained in computer science. He knows very well that they occasionally use contemporary slang that may not be suited for formal records but is completely normal within global youth culture.

This is the context within which Kennedy Agyapong must be understood. Despite his blunt and fearless style, Kennedy has been in Parliament for twenty-four years. He was already eight years in Parliament before Atta Akyea entered the House. Not once in all those years has he ever had an unparliamentary expression recorded, flagged or expunged from the Hansard. Not once. If he has never used the phrase “mother fucker” in Parliament, what would make anyone imagine that he would go and use “mother fucker” at the United Nations.

Atta Akyea knows this better than anyone. In fact, he himself taught me privately that there are certain high offices and responsibilities that reform character and elevate conduct. According to him, certain positions naturally refine a person and upgrade their discipline.

If that is the principle he believes in, then why does he not believe that the Presidency will make Akompreko even better. Why would he deny Kennedy the very transformation he teaches others about.

Atta Akyea also knows that Kennedy’s twenty-four years in Parliament are a living testament that he does not use such language in formal settings. His record is impeccable. The Hansard speaks for him more loudly than any allegation. This reality alone defeats any imagination that he would walk into an international conference and utter such a phrase.

Which is why I say that Atta Akyea’s comment was unfortunate and rather diabolical. He knows Kennedy is no reckless man. He knows Kennedy understands his audience at every platform. He knows that Santaclausians are well trained and that Kennedy, by both substance and instinct, knows what to say and where to say it. Deep in his heart, he knows Kennedy stands a stronger chance of winning for the NPP than any of the candidates before us.

If he genuinely does not know this, then I will implore him, as the devout Christian I know him to be, to quietly ask his head pastor who stands the best chance of winning for the NPP if presented to Ghanaians. Pastor Mensa Otabil, filled with immense foundational wisdom as we all know, will not struggle at all to advise him on the matter. The answer is clear.

In the end, Atta Akyea’s commentary has rather helped Kennedy Agyapong. That is how I see it. The Gen Z’s appreciate what I am saying. Furthermore, it has allowed us to highlight his discipline, his record and his authenticity. Let us view it as such. Let us campaign strongly, but with honour. Let us disagree without destroying those who have served our tradition with distinction. The same Atta Akyea, who made these same comments will live to reference Hon. Kennedy Agyapong as “Mr. President”. Shalom 🙏🏾✍🏾

The writer, Gideon Kwasi Annor, is a member of the Research and Elections Committee, of Team Ken