A presidential hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has boasted about being the only person in Ghana to have challenged the renowned investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

Speaking to members of the NPP at the Berekum East Constituency in the Bono Region, Ken Agyapong claimed that he saved the party from the clutches of Anas.

He alleged that Anas had recorded some NPP leaders in Dubai and was planning to use the footage to blackmail them and prevent them from seeking a second term in 2020.

He added that Anas had put a lot of Ghanaians, including politicians, civil servants and security officials, into hiding with his exposés, but he (Ken) had silenced him.

"When Anas recorded NPP leaders in Dubai, February 8, 2018, (4:30 pm Dubai time) and he was bragging that he (Anas) had the NPP in his hands like an egg and that he would not allow the party to go for a second term.

"He (Anas) silenced judges, soldiers, police officers, officers of the GFA (Ghana Football Association), every Ghanaian was afraid. I'm the only man in this country who challenged Anas. Today, I have silenced him.

Ken Agyapong, who is also the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, said that Ghanaians trust him because of his handling of Anas, among other things.

He urged the NPP supporters to choose him as their flagbearer for the 2024 elections.

"If I had not challenged Anas, he would have gotten so much power that at some point, he would be determining when people should go to sleep. It took only Kennedy Agyapong to challenge Anas. And so, Ghanaians believe in me," he said.

So far, ten people in the NPP have filed nominations to contest in the yet-to-be-held presidential primaries.

Candidates include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; a former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen; Kwadwo Poku, an energy expert; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey; a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; a former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; a former MP for Offinso North, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; and a former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.

Defamation suit

The Accra High Court recently dismissed a GH¢25 million defamation suit against Ken Agyapong brought by Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The investigative journalist sued the MP in 2018 for allegedly making false and defamatory statements about him after he released his investigative piece #Number 12, which exposed some rot in Ghana football.

The court presided over by Justice Eric Baah ruled that although the words spoken by the MP were factual and capable of defamation, Anas could not prove them.

The court also described Anas as an "investigative terrorist" who uses blackmail to extort money from his opponents and people he does not like.

The MP has hailed the ruling as a victory for straight talk over investigative terrorism, while Anas has expressed grave misgivings about it and described it as a travesty of justice.