Politics
NPP Heads to Crucial Presidential Primary as Five Aspirants Jostle for 2028 Ticket
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) goes to the polls tomorrow to elect a flag bearer for the 2028 general election, as five leading figures of the party seek the mandate of delegates in a contest that could redefine the party’s future.
Former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Minister of Food and Agriculture and Abetifi MP Dr Bryan Acheampong, former Education Minister and Bosomtwi MP Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and former General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong are all vying for the top position.
More than 200,000 delegates are expected to vote in the presidential primary, bringing to a close a tense and, at times, acrimonious seven-month campaign. The election comes unusually early, nearly three years ahead of the 2028 polls, as the NPP seeks a swift return to power after its defeat in the 2024 general election.
Beyond selecting a presidential candidate, the primary is widely seen as a critical test of how the party intends to reorganise, reconnect with its grassroots, and redefine its political identity in opposition.
Voting will take place in 277 centres nationwide, covering all 276 constituencies as well as the party’s national headquarters. In total, 211,812 delegates are eligible to vote, with no provision for proxy voting.
Although five candidates are on the ballot, political observers and opinion polls suggest the race has narrowed to a contest between Dr Bawumia, the party’s 2024 flag bearer, and Mr Agyapong.
Eight opinion polls conducted by four organisations, including Global Info Analytics and Sanity Africa, point to a closely fought election. While Global Info Analytics projects a victory for Dr Bawumia, a Sanity Africa poll places Mr Agyapong ahead. Party insiders acknowledge that polling data has largely mirrored factional loyalties within the party.
Ultimately, the decision rests with delegates at the polling centres. As former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo once remarked, the most important poll is the one conducted on election day.
Campaign messages
Dr Bawumia has anchored his campaign on rebuilding trust at the grassroots and strengthening party welfare. He has argued that low turnout among NPP supporters in the 2024 elections was partly due to neglect of the party base, and has proposed a structured welfare system to support members whether the party is in government or opposition.
His plan includes the establishment of Welfare Desks at all levels of the party to ensure transparent and data-driven distribution of support.
Mr Agyapong, by contrast, has positioned himself as a bold reformer with strong grassroots appeal. His outspoken style and willingness to challenge party orthodoxy have energised sections of the base, while also attracting controversy among party elders.
Dr Osei Adutwum has sought to distinguish himself with ambitious policy proposals, notably a pledge to introduce free university education. Drawing parallels with the Free Senior High School programme, he argues that extending free education to the tertiary level is both achievable and essential for national development. He has also promised targeted welfare programmes for party supporters.
Mr Agyei Agyepong, making his third bid for the flagbearership after attempts in 2007 and 2023, has framed his campaign as a return to the NPP’s founding principles of service, sacrifice, and selflessness. His message has focused on youth unemployment and the need for innovative leadership.
Dr Acheampong has expressed confidence in his campaign, stating that his team has engaged nearly 90 percent of delegates nationwide. He says his message centres on rebuilding a credible, united party that is prepared to govern again.
Electoral reforms and concerns
The expanded electoral college and the absence of proxy voting have raised concerns among some party members, particularly those in the diaspora who may be unable to travel to Ghana to vote. Analysts have also suggested that the size of the electoral college could favour the leading contenders or potentially force a run-off.
The electoral college includes national, regional, constituency, and polling station executives, members of the National Council and Council of Elders, Members of Parliament, government appointees, TESCON representatives, external branch delegates, and special organs of the party.
Peace pact
In a bid to ensure a smooth process, all five aspirants have signed a peace and commitment pact, pledging to uphold transparency, reject violence, and support the eventual winner of the primary.
As the party prepares to vote, expectations are high that the outcome will not only determine the NPP’s presidential candidate for 2028 but also shape its strategic direction and readiness for the next general election.
Minority Leader and Effutu Member of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to overcome internal divisions, describing disunity as a persistent “slow poison” that threatens the party’s electoral prospects.
Speaking at a convention of NPP stakeholders in the Effutu Constituency following the party’s flagbearer contest, Afenyo-Markin warned that history shows the party often suffers electoral defeat whenever internal cracks emerge, regardless of the strength of its policies or leadership.
He called on party members to rally behind former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, emphasizing the importance of a shared vision, consistent messaging, and a unified approach from the national level to grassroots structures.
“History teaches us the cost of fragmentation,” he said, recalling how divisions within the Danquah-Busia tradition in 1979 led to the formation of the UNC and PFP, paving the way for the PNP under Hilla Limann to assume power. Similar rifts, he added, contributed to the NPP’s losses in 1992, 1996, 2008, and 2012.
Afenyo-Markin contrasted these defeats with periods of unity, noting the party’s victories in 2000, 2004, 2016, and 2020, attributing success to discipline and cohesion. He cautioned against a repeat of the 2024 elections, where “skirt and blouse” voting weakened the party at the polls.
“We must not allow the 2024 result to repeat itself. If Dr Bawumia fails, it is we who have failed him. Let us not fail him. Let us work for him, work for the party, and work for our country,” he urged.
The Minority Leader’s remarks highlight the NPP’s ongoing challenge of maintaining unity as it prepares for the 2028 general elections.
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Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, has conceded defeat in the party’s presidential primaries after early results indicated a decisive lead for former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Preliminary figures from several constituencies showed Dr. Bawumia ahead of his competitors as counting continued across the country. Speaking to the media, Mr Agyapong described the outcome as disappointing but expressed pride in his campaign team’s efforts.
“I would say that the results were disappointing, but it is positive. I take pride in your dedication, your untiring efforts, and your commitment to this struggle,” he said.
He confirmed that he had reached out to Dr. Bawumia to congratulate him, even as the official results from the Electoral Commission were awaited. He also emphasised the importance of party unity moving forward.
“I’m comfortable that, at the end of the day, the majority of the party has made a decision. Once the majority has taken a decision, it is incumbent on all of us, patriots of our political party, to give our fullest and wholehearted support to the winner.”
Calling on NPP members to close ranks, Mr. Agyapong urged collaboration and focus ahead of the 2028 general elections.
“We’ve closed this chapter. It’s now time for us to work in harmony, respect one another, work together, and present the best version of ourselves to the Ghanaian people.”
He praised the conduct of the primaries as a reflection of the party’s commitment to democratic principles and once again congratulated Dr. Bawumia on his victory.
“Once again, my congratulations to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the decisive victory. He can be sure of my fullest support.”
Politics
Confirmed: Bawumia wins NPP Presidential Primaries; set to lead Party into the 2028 Elections
Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been officially declared as the winner of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, securing his position as the party’s flagbearer for the next general elections.
Dr Bawumia polled 110,645, representing 56.48 per cent of the total valid votes cast.
His victory was confirmed by Electoral Commission (EC) officials at the party’s headquarters after the collation of results from constituencies across the country.
Announcing the results, the EC officials said a total of 196,462 votes were cast nationwide, out of which 561 ballots were rejected.
The results showed that former Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Ohene Agyapong placed second with 46,554 votes, representing 23.76 per cent. Former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr Bryan Acheampong secured 36,303 votes, equivalent to 18.53 per cent.
Former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum obtained 1,999 votes, representing 1.02 per cent, while former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyapong polled 402 votes, accounting for 0.21 per cent.
More than 211,000 delegates cast their ballots at over 300 polling centres across the country in what party officials described as a keenly contested internal race.
Dr Bawumia faced competition from four other aspirants: former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr Bryan Acheampong; former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum; former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyapong; and businessman and former Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
The primaries were conducted across all 16 regions of Ghana, with delegates voting to select the candidate to lead the NPP’s bid to reclaim power in the 2028 general elections.
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