By:A political desk report

The largest opposition political party in Ghana, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is set to hold its flagbearer primary to elect a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections slated for January 31, 2026.One of the augmentations which keeps on popping up is how the Ashanti region, which is the political world bank of the party, is considered to influence or maximise votes in the general elections, especially in 2028.

Currently, out of the five (5) aspirants, two of them, Dr Osei Yaw Adutwum, who’s also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bosomtwe and former Education Minister, and Engineer Kwabena Ayei Agyapong, the former general secretary, are from the Ashanti region.

And the big question on the lips of many Ghanaians, especially political watchers, is who among them is likely to benefit from the Ashanti vote should the delegates decide to vote en bloc for one of their own, as others have advocated in some parts of the country.

Or will the party’s stronghold, the Ashanti region, once again defy the old tag “NPP is for the Asantes” and renew their confidence for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the former vice president and the 2024 presidential candidate, again?

Or Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the former Assin Central MP and a former flagbearer hopeful, and Dr Bryan Acheampong, MP for Abetifi and former Agric Minister, who also identified themselves with the Ashanti region.

A leading NPP member shared the analysis below ahead of January 31, 2026.

“Since 1992, certain regions have consistently secured key leadership positions in Ghana’s government. The Volta Region produced the late John Jerry Rawlings.

The Central Region produced the late President Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur and Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. The Northern Region has had President John Dramani Mahama and two vice presidents—Alhaji Aliu Mahama and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The Eastern Region has seen President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ascend to power. And yet, despite our unwavering contributions to Ghana’s development and political stability, the Ashantis have only had one president—John Agyekum Kufuor.Why should the New Patriotic Party (NPP) once again look beyond Ashanti leadership?

Why are we even considering electing another candidate from the Northern or Central Region when the Ashanti Region has distinguished and capable leaders ready to serve?