Former Member of Parliament for Subin, Eugene Boakye Antwi, has officially filed his nomination to contest the General Secretary position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), pledging to rebuild the party and return it to power in 2028.
Mr Boakye Antwi submitted his nomination forms at the NPP National Headquarters in Accra, on Friday, accompanied by party supporters, constituency executives, former government officials and party elders.
Addressing the Elections Committee and supporters after filing, he said his decision was driven by the need for experienced, disciplined and results-oriented leadership to reposition the party, following its defeat in the 2024 elections.
“The NPP does not have the luxury of time. We need experienced, firm and trusted leadership at the national headquarters and I am ready now to serve,” he said.
He said his decision followed 18 months of consultations with party leaders, elders, former government officials, constituency executives and grassroots members across all 276 constituencies.
“For the past 18 months, I have listened to the party. I have consulted our two former Presidents, John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as well as our 2028 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia,” he said.
He added that his consultations had also included the Council of Elders, current and former Members of Parliament, former government appointees, constituency executives and grassroots members.
According to him, the message from the consultations was clear: the party want change, discipline, accountability, honesty and a General Secretary capable of beginning the work immediately.
Mr Boakye Antwi said the scale of the NPP’s defeat in 2024 make leadership renewal necessary, while acknowledging the service of the current national executives.
“This is not about attacking any individual or diminishing anyone’s service. But after our party’s performance in 2024, retaining the same leadership and expecting a different outcome cannot be our rebuilding strategy,” he said.
He said delegates must decide whether to maintain the status quo or entrust the party’s next phase to leadership, with the experience and independence required to rebuild it.
“The incumbent has had the opportunity to serve and we acknowledge that service. But this moment requires the next leader.
“It requires a General Secretary who can restore discipline, rebuild trust with the grassroots, modernise the party’s machinery and prepare every constituency and polling station for victory,” he said.
Mr Boakye Antwi said rebuilding the NPP must begin with restoring confidence among its grassroots members and strengthening the relationship between the national headquarters, constituencies and polling stations.
“Those who build the victory must have a stake in the victory. Our members must know that their loyalty, sacrifice and hard work matter.
“We must restore trust between the national headquarters, the constituencies, the polling stations and the ordinary party member,” he said.
He pledged to unite the party, strengthen its structures, restore discipline and accountability, modernise its operations and build national campaign machinery capable of competing effectively in every constituency.
He said his UNITE + Compact agenda would establish a new relationship between the national party and its grassroots, based on inclusion, mutual responsibility, accountability and recognition for service.
“The grassroots cannot be remembered only when elections approach. We must build a party that values its members, develops their capabilities, supports its executives and gives those who work for victory a real stake in that victory,” he said.
Bawumia for President
Mr Boakye Antwi identified the election of Dr Bawumia as President and the restoration of the NPP’s parliamentary majority as the party’s two overriding objectives for 2028.
“Our mission is clear: make Dr Mahamudu Bawumia the next President of the Republic of Ghana and restore the NPP’s majority in Parliament.
“That work begins with rebuilding the party from the polling station upwards and I am ready to lead it,” he said.
He said his experience as a party activist, constituency organiser, Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister had prepared him for the General Secretary position.
“This is not the time for apprenticeship. It is the time for tested leadership, courage and competence. I know the party, I understand its structures, I have listened to its members and I know what must be done. I am ready to serve from day one,” he stressed.
He appealed to delegates to support his bid and help build a stronger and more united NPP capable of turning the lessons of the 2024 defeat into victory in 2028.
“This election is bigger than any individual. It is about the survival, renewal and future of the New Patriotic Party.
“With unity, discipline, accountability and experienced leadership, we will rebuild our party, restore our parliamentary majority and return the NPP to government on 7 January 2029,” he said.
