The survey of the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), which was aimed at assessing all 17 candidates vying for the flagbearer slot of the New Patriotic Party, has described Kwabena Agyepong, former Presidential Press Secretary, as a “young politician full of ambition but with a small bony chest.” .

The report however failed to explain what “a small bony chest is”. In the survey in which all aspirants were critically assessed and dated August 2, 2007, Nana Addo Danquah, Alan Kyeremanteng, Alhaji Aliu Mahama and Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor came up tops as the men to beat in the upcoming NPP Congress to be held in September this year.

The report, which appeared in the Wednesday August 29 edition of the Ghanaian Observer (GO) newspaper, spread a lot of panic among aspirants and the general public, and also drew doubts from even the media, some of which joined in the circus of speculation that this paper may be engaging in some form of political mischief until GO published the cover of the memo of the BNI survey in a subsequent edition.

The survey further stated that the former Presidential Secretary is little known by majority of the populace, indicating that “even though the party faithfuls and most especially, the leadership of the party, know him, he is seen as politically immature.

The BNI survey also indicates that “his detractors describe him as arrogant and someone who would make an insignificant impact come the party’s presidential primaries.

It also highlights the chances of former Interior Minister Paapa Owusu Ankomah, saying that though he has conducted himself creditably as a Minister over years, “at the NPP front, he is seen as second level contender to the flagbearship due to the abundance of more senior and mature candidates”.

The report adds that some opinions indicate that though he has some qualities of a good statesman, he cannot unto the perceived heavyweights in the party.

“His chances therefore are not bright,” the report concludes.

Last-on-the-list, Arthur Kennedy is also seen, according to the survey as “a political braggart” who wants to test the waters. Like Kwabena Agypong, “he is not known in the political arena and there would not make any significant impact come the party’s presidential primaries.

A footnote to the survey however indicates that “the ladder of the ratings could change positively or negatively, depending on one’s ability to redouble his efforts be it financially or materially interlaced with good working human relationships and contacts.