'I want to resign, but...' - Kennedy Agyapong

The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong says his 'people' are preventing him from retiring from active politics.

Weighing in on the shock resignation of the immediate past Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (Ms Otiko Afisa Djaba), Mr Agyapong explained that he wants to enjoy his retirement after turning 60 but his 'people' do not understand.

"Take me for instance, I want to leave and go and enjoy my retirement at age 60 but my people still don't seem to understand," Mr Agyapong said in an interview with Joy TV.

"Sometimes you get involved in certain things and you realise no, enough is enough. I have to move on. So, it is only in this country that people are afraid to resign, that is why I am not a minister.

"Because if the thing is not right I will say it. If it is against my superior and he says... Me I will resign. So, I don't see anything wrong with it".

It's her prerogative

Siding with Madam Djaba's decision to resign, the outspoken Mr Agyapong said it's a personal decision deciding when to quit politics.

"It's her prerogative, she has every right to decide at what time she wants to be in politics and what time she wants to get out," Mr Agyapong stated.

"So I don't see anything wrong with it If she feels that she doesn't want to be in politics again. You will do it to sometime and you will realise you are tired, enough is enough you have to go and rest".

"I will hold brief for whatever I have to say, I don't have any problem with it, If indeed it's true that she is resigning".

'Otiko is very very important'

Mr Agyapong described Madam Djaba as 'very, very important' to the fortunes of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He said the former National Women's Organiser of the party cannot be discounted given the role she played in winning power in the 2016 elections.

"You see, every member of the party is important," Mr Agyapong explained when quizzed about the impact Madam Djaba's resignation will have on the electoral fortunes of the NPP.

"If nothing at all, her (Otiko) vote is important, so she is relevant and more so she was Women's Organiser who brought the party to power. She was part of it, she played a role

"So, I cannot stand here and tell you, oh if Otiko has resigned she can resign, no, I can't say that. She is very, very important and don't forget, one person that leaves the party has a husband like Otiko has children, has relatives.

"So, if one person resigns, it is not her alone, she has about minimum 50 people that will follow her and you need as President 50 percent plus one vote so everbody counts, so I will not stand here and discredit her, no".