New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant Kennedy Agyapong has intensified his campaign with a direct jab at his opponents, stating that any candidate whose economic vision for Ghana "starts with a trip to the IMF" has already failed.

The fiery politician made his position clear in a tweet, positioning himself as the only aspirant with a plan for a truly self-reliant economy.

The comment is seen as a direct challenge to the economic platforms of his rivals within the NPP, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who was head of the economic management team when Ghana signed its current programme with the International Monetary Fund.

You want to lead Ghana, yet your main concern is who can negotiate best with the IMF?

Let me be clear: If your vision for Ghana starts with a trip to the IMF, you have already failed.

My vision is to build an economy so self-reliant and powerful that the IMF becomes irrelevant…

— Ken O. Agyapong (@realKenAgyapong) September 6, 2025

Mr Agyapong’s tweet taps into a deep-seated public sentiment of frustration over the nation’s recurring reliance on external bailouts.

"You want to lead Ghana, yet your main concern is who can negotiate best with the IMF? Let me be clear: If your vision for Ghana starts with a trip to the IMF, you have already failed," Agyapong wrote.

The NPP is gearing up for its flagbearer contest to elect a leader for the 2028 general elections.

While other aspirants have focused on managing the current economic crisis, Agyapong’s message pivots the conversation to long-term economic independence.

He argues that Ghana's frequent return to the IMF is a symptom of a fundamental failure in leadership and economic strategy.

"My vision is to build an economy so self-reliant and powerful that the IMF becomes irrelevant to our national conversation," he added.

Mr Agyapong's vision, consistent with his persona as a no-nonsense industrialist, suggests a focus on aggressive domestic investment, job creation through local manufacturing, and strict fiscal discipline to avoid the high debt levels that often necessitate an IMF bailout.

By framing his candidacy as the only alternative to a continuous cycle of foreign dependency, he aims to capture the hearts of voters tired of austerity measures and the rising cost of living.

This strategic move is expected to shape the economic debate among the NPP aspirants in the coming months, forcing his opponents to defend their plans and address the public's growing fatigue with international financial assistance.