THE MEMBER of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa in Kumasi, Patricia Appiagyei, has finally broken the long silence on speculations that she was once having amoral affair with ex-President Kufuor.
Describing the rumour as a hoax intended to tarnish her image, the first female Kumasi Mayor, stated emphatically that she is happily married to ex-Kotoko boss, Dr K.K. Sarpong, and she respects her marriage vows.
Ms Appiagyei in the heat of the Asokwa NPP MP primary for the 2012 polls was reportedly accused by her major competitor, Kofi Jumah, of once dating ex-President Kufuor, hence her rapid elevation in the then NPP administration.
The Asokwa MP, who has over the years kept mute over the wild accusation, finally broke her silence during a chat with Mr Bones of Kessben FM on Friday when she vehemently debunked the rumour.
Ms Appiagyei held two enviable positions including Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister and later on as the first female Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) during the ex-President Kufuor regime.
The St Louis SHS and KNUST product, insisted that she got her appointments because she was competent and qualified for the top positions, adding that her hard working and result-oriented nature caught the eyes of ex-President Kufuor.
The ex-Kumasi Mayor who is known in political circles as �Mama Pat� described former President Kufuor as a perfect gentleman who never insulted his political opponents during his active days in politics even in the face of provocation.
According to her, Mr Kufuor never proposed or had any intimate relationship with her, stressing the former President was only interested in the development of the country so he selected competent people into his administration.
Ms Appiagyei expressed gross worry over the seeming lack of respect that male politicians usually accord to their female counterparts �they see us as second class that are not fit to occupy key positions in the country.�
The Asokwa MP lamented that more often than not, female politicians that rose to the top are often accused of selling their bodies to attain those higher heights �which is totally wrong.�
Ms Appiagyei stressed that for once, male politicians should begin to respect their female counterparts by seeing them as people that are capable of properly steering the affairs of the state.
The Asokwa MP, during the interview, recounted significant happenings in her life as she grew up under the tutelage of a father who was a teacher and a seamstress mother.
She said her parents groomed her well and this was manifesting in her life now, stressing that she loves to help the needy in society, serve people and contribute her quota towards national development.
Madam Appiagyei, who studied Economics at the university, said her husband Dr Sarpong and some family members encouraged her to venture into politics, commending Yaw Osafo Marfo, former Finance Minister for his encouraging words which also motivated her to enter into politics.
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