In a few days, about 280,000 delegates of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) will go to the polls to elect a flagbearer to contest the Presidential race in the 2028 general elections.
Five candidates have stated their claim and counting on the delegates from across the 276 constituencies to get the mandate.
They are former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; Kenneth Akompreko Agyapong, former Assin Central lawmaker; Dr. Bryan Acheampong, for Minister of Food and Agriculture; Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, former Minister of Education and Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, former General Secretary of the party.
All five presidential aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have made significant contributions to the party’s growth and governance but the frontrunners in the presidential primary are Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong.
According to recent polls, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia leads with 48% of stated voting intentions less 2% of the required votes, followed by Kennedy Agyapong with 34% while Dr. Bryan Acheampong follows at 6 per cent.
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum polled 1 per cent, with Mr. Kwabena Agyapong recording a negligible figure.
The delegates will partake in the election and provide an answer to the question posed above. Their choice will depend on a number of factors against the background of the aspirants as follows;
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia: (Born 7th October, 1963)
He was the immediate past Vice President.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, going by the slogan – “It is possible” – failed in his bid at the Presidency when he managed 4,897,611 votes (41.75%) against candidate John Mahama’s 6,591,790 votes (56.42%) in the 2024 elections.
But Surveys predict he will win the primary with 57-70% of votes, citing his experience, national appeal and readiness to lead. Dr. Bawumia’s strengths include national recognition, intellectual leadership, digital transformation agenda and economic stewardship.
He is also seen as a continuity candidate who can modernise the economy (He is Samira’s Economic whizkid) and sustain the NPP’s governance credentials.
His vision is to create a tent big enough to accommodate all Ghanaians, focusing on digital transformation, economic growth and job creation.
He aims to achieve 100% internet penetration, prioritise STEM education and implement policies to support women and vulnerable groups.
Dr Bawumia also plans to expand infrastructure, including housing and healthcare, and promote private sector growth.
Dr. Bawumia has been instrumental in shaping the party’s economic policies as a Vice President, promoting digital transformation and financial inclusion.
His notable achievements include implementing the Ghana Card, Mobile Money Interoperability and the digital addressing system.
The Agenda 111 and One Ambulance for Each Constituency programmes which he initiated have had mixed results.
As of March 2025, only one hospital has been completed, but it remains non-functional, lacking essential equipment and staff.
The project has faced delays, funding gaps, and criticisms over transparency and project management.
The One Ambulance for Each Constituency programme has distributed 307 ambulances across Ghana’s 275 constituencies, with over 2,300 individuals recruited into the National Ambulance Service.
The program has improved emergency healthcare delivery, reducing the ratio of people to ambulances from 595,600 to 85,435.
Kennedy Agyapong – ( Born 16th June, 1960)
The “Show down” man is a firebrand politician known for his boldness, honesty and outspoken nature. Some see him as unpredictable, but he is popular among grassroots supporters.
Kennedy Agyapong’s vision is centered around industrialisation, job creation and economic growth. He aims to surpass Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s infrastructure legacy, focusing on education, healthcare and employment opportunities.
Kennedy Agyapong, 66, also plans to promote Ghanaian culture through music and arts, and tackle corruption.
Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign focuses on honesty, national discipline, and rejecting corruption and complacency.
A founding member of the NPP, he has contributed significantly to the party’s grassroots mobilisation and has been a vocal advocate for anti-corruption measures.
The former Assin Central Member of Parliament is also known for his philanthropic work, sponsoring students, building clinics and supporting local entrepreneurs.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong – (Born 27 November 1972)
The youngest of the aspirants, young and intelligent Dr. Bryan Acheampong is said to be well-connected and often criticised for his perceived closeness to the establishment.
Dr. Acheampong’s vision is to rebuild the NPP, promote unity, and drive national transformation. He focuses on food security, industrialisation, and job creation, with an emphasis on agriculture, infrastructure development, and private sector growth.
Fifty four year old Bryan Acheampong also plans to tackle corruption, promote transparency, and support youth empowerment.
As Minister for Food and Agriculture, he promoted agricultural modernization and supported farmers. He also constructed dams in Northern Ghana and initiated projects to boost irrigation and food security.
His Bryan Acheampong Foundation supports education, healthcare, and community development.
Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum – (Born 9th April 1964)
A former Education Minister, he has emphasised educational transformation and national development.
Some key achievements by the former Education Minister included implementing Free SHS, championing and pioneering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, building new STEM schools with advanced labs and integrating subjects, reforming TVET, establishing the pre- engineering programme at universities like UMaT and transforming public schools as well as commissioned numerous educational projects and pushed for digitalization and new teaching methods.
He also has the credit of focusing on improving teacher skills and student performance through innovative methods and digital tools. He has promised free university education.
Ing. Kwabena Agyepong – (Born 6th March 1962)
A former General Secretary, he is touted for his technical expertise and political experience.
His following believe he is the perfect choice to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to victory. They say his unwavering dedication and unrelenting efforts make him the ideal candidate for the flagbearership.
He has variously been described as innovative and forward thinking and has the unique ability to bring NPP members together, fostering a sense of unity and purpose and inspire a new generation of NPP leaders and members.
“With Kwabena Agyapong at the helm, the NPP stands to achieve Party Cohesion and Electoral Success to ensure Effective Governance for a brighter future for the NPP and Ghana”, a supporter of Agyapong’s bid stated.
Expanded Electoral College
The delegates, (Electoral College) was expanded from 220,000 to 280,000 (40%) to broaden internal democracy and give more voice to party members.
They will include National Leadership comprising Members of the National Council, National Executive Committee and National Council of Elders;
Regional and Constituency Representatives, Members of Regional and Constituency Executive Committees, Electoral Area Coordinators and Polling Station Executive.
Others are Elected Officials, Sitting and past MPs, Ministers and Deputy Ministers; Party Veterans: Past National Directors, National Patrons and Founding Members.
The rest are Youth and External Representatives comprising TESCON representatives from recognized tertiary institutions as well as 15 delegates from every external branch.
The choice rests with the 280,000 delegates constituting the Electoral College mandated to elect a new flagbearer for the NPP on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Only they (delegates) can prove surveys right or otherwise.
