Who wins NPP chairmanship? Four aspirants battle to reorganise party for 2028

The race for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Chairmanship has entered a crucial phase, with John Boadu, Boakye Agyarko, Paul Afoko and Sammy Crabbe competing to lead the party through its next chapter and help rebuild its structures ahead of the 2028 general election.

The four contenders have now been confirmed for the October 3, 2026 national executive elections. Following the September 9 balloting, John Boadu occupies No. 1 on the ballot, Sammy Crabbe No. 2, Paul Afoko No. 3 and Boakye Agyarko No. 4.

With the NPP in opposition, the chairmanship contest has become a major internal battle over organisation, grassroots mobilisation, unity and the party’s strategy for 2028.

Four men, one powerful position

The chairmanship race brings together four figures with different political backgrounds and experiences.

John Boadu, a former General Secretary, is campaigning heavily on his extensive experience within the party’s structures. His political journey has taken him through grassroots, regional and national positions, and his campaign has placed considerable emphasis on rebuilding the party from the grassroots upward.

Boakye Agyarko, a former Energy Minister, brings ministerial and policy experience to the contest and has also positioned himself around the need for organisational renewal.

Paul Afoko, a former NPP National Chairman, is seeking a return to the position he previously occupied.

Sammy Crabbe, a former Second Vice Chairman of the party, completes the four-man contest.

The Boadu argument: experience and organisation

Boadu’s campaign has centred strongly on his long experience inside the NPP.

He has presented himself as someone who understands the party from the polling-station level through to the national headquarters, arguing that this experience can help repair and strengthen the organisation.

His supporters have highlighted his previous roles as National Organiser, Acting General Secretary and General Secretary, among others.

The campaign’s broader message is that the NPP needs a chairman who can reconnect national leadership with constituency executives and grassroots activists.

Agyarko pushes his own case

Boakye Agyarko enters the contest with his own record of national political and government experience.

The former Energy Minister has been engaging party members and presenting his vision for the NPP’s future, particularly at a time when the party is examining the reasons behind its recent electoral setbacks.

His campaign will have to persuade delegates that his experience and proposed reforms can help strengthen the party ahead of 2028.

Afoko seeks another chance at the top

Paul Afoko brings perhaps the clearest experience of the chairmanship itself.

The former National Chairman is returning to the contest with knowledge of the responsibilities and challenges that come with leading the party at the national level.

His candidacy adds another dimension to the race, particularly because delegates are being asked to choose between a former chairman, experienced former national officers and a former government minister.

Crabbe joins the four-way contest

Sammy Crabbe, a former Second Vice Chairman, is also seeking to convince delegates that he can provide the leadership required to rebuild the party.

His experience within the NPP’s national executive structure gives him familiarity with the party’s internal operations as he campaigns for the chairmanship.

With the race now narrowed to four candidates, the campaign period is expected to intensify as each aspirant attempts to distinguish his vision from the others.

Wontumi’s endorsement changes the conversation

One of the biggest developments in the race came on September 8, when former Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, endorsed John Boadu after withdrawing from the contest.

The Wontumi campaign said the decision followed consultations with grassroots supporters, constituency actors, party elders and other stakeholders.

It also called on members who previously organised for Wontumi to now support Boadu.

The endorsement has introduced another important factor into the contest: grassroots mobilisation.

Unity has become a major campaign theme

Regardless of who eventually takes the chairmanship, one issue has become unavoidable — the need for internal unity.

The NPP’s national elections committee has repeatedly urged aspirants and their supporters to conduct the campaign in a manner that protects the unity and integrity of the party.

The four candidates are therefore competing fiercely for the position while simultaneously needing to convince party members that the contest will not deepen existing divisions.

The chairmanship campaign is consequently about more than individual ambition. It is also about how the NPP intends to reorganise itself after its electoral setbacks and prepare for the next national contest.

The 2028 challenge

The new chairman will inherit a party facing the difficult task of rebuilding its electoral machinery.

Among the issues likely to dominate the next phase of the NPP’s internal work are:

• Reconnecting with grassroots members.
• Strengthening constituency and regional structures.
• Improving internal communication.
• Mobilising young people.
• Rebuilding public confidence.
• Preparing an effective campaign structure for 2028.
• Maintaining unity after the national executive elections.

The candidates may differ in their approaches, but the pressure on whoever emerges chairman will be immediate.

The ballot is set — the decision awaits

With the ballot order now established — Boadu 1, Crabbe 2, Afoko 3 and Agyarko 4 — the four campaigns have entered the final stretch toward October 3.

There is no established election result yet, so the question of who will win remains for the NPP’s delegates to decide.

What is already clear, however, is that the chairmanship election will determine more than the occupant of one national executive position.