Politics

A new tracking poll by Global InfoAnalytics has revealed that former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the clear frontrunner to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2028 general election.

According to the poll, 57% of voters prefer Dr. Bawumia as the party’s presidential candidate, compared to 29% for former Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, secured 6%, Minister of Food and Agriculture Dr. Bryan Acheampong polled 5%, while former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong registered 3%.

In the critical swing regions of Greater Accra, Central, and Western, Dr. Bawumia also leads decisively with 57%, followed by Kennedy Agyapong at 32%. Dr. Adutwum and Dr. Acheampong each secured 4%, while Kwabena Agyapong obtained 3%.

The survey further indicates that in a potential runoff between Dr. Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Bawumia would extend his lead with 62% against Agyapong’s 38%.

Among NPP delegates, Dr. Bawumia remains firmly ahead with 47%, while Kennedy Agyapong trails with 17%. Dr. Acheampong and Dr. Adutwum received 3% and 1% respectively, with Kwabena Agyapong also at 1%. However, 27% of delegates remain undecided, and 4% declined to disclose their preference.

In a runoff scenario within the delegates’ poll, Dr. Bawumia commands 49%, compared to Kennedy Agyapong’s 19%, with 27% undecided and 5% declining to disclose.By:William Narh

 

 

By Kwaku Amoh-Darteh, Esq.

The hall was full long before the program began. Supporters had traveled from across states, some journeying for hours, to be present. Conversations carried a mix of urgency and anticipation, eyes drawn to the entrance. This was no ordinary meeting it was convened with a singular purpose: to meet Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong.

When he finally entered, the atmosphere broke open. The room erupted with applause and song, a sudden euphoria that signaled both admiration and expectation. For the diaspora gathered, it was not just the arrival of a politician; it was the return of a figure they saw as a voice for courage and fairness.

A CALL FOR FAIRNESS

When Ken stood to speak, the hall grew quiet. His tone was measured but firm, carrying the cadence of a man more concerned with conviction than with applause.

“Whilst we are asking for unity,” he began, “we are asking for fairness. Unity cannot be built on silence or fear. Every voice must be heard. We shall not be cowards anymore.”

The words, simple yet charged with gravity, drew immediate response. The crowd rose to its feet applause thundered, chants echoed, and the atmosphere shifted from expectation to affirmation.

A REBUKE AND A CHALLENGE

Turning to his audience, Ken addressed the diaspora with both gratitude and candor.
“You work tirelessly to provide for your families,” he said. “No one in Ghana sends you money, yet some feel entitled to call from home to intimidate you? To threaten you? No. Be bold.”

The remark carried the force of a rebuke, but it was also a challenge to resist fear and reclaim dignity in political engagement.

MEMORY AS FOUNDATION

Ken anchored his message in history, reminding his audience of their role in the party’s beginnings abroad.
“The NPP in America was not born of fear or convenience,” he said. “It was nurtured here, sustained by patriots who gave freely of themselves. No individual whether in Ghana or here in the United States will ever be allowed to claim it as personal property.”

The reminder was pointed but dignified, drawing applause from members who saw themselves not as spectators but as custodians of a tradition of sacrifice.

THE WEIGHT OF SACRIFICE

His voice then took on a more solemn register.
“People have died for this party. People have lost their property, their livelihoods, everything they had, in service of our cause. Where were the so-called owners then? Never again. The threats must stop. What we seek is simple: free and fair elections.”

The room, already charged, broke into another eruption of applause. It was less the sound of celebration than of release.

EUPHORIA AND RENEWAL

By the close of the speech, the hall had transformed. What began in anxious waiting ended in jubilation. Supporters embraced, songs filled the air, and the mood was one of renewal. For many, the night was not merely political theater; it was a moment of restoration, a reassurance that courage and fairness could still guide the party’s path.

THE STATESMAN’s SEAL

As the applause subsided, one truth had settled: Ken had not merely addressed the diaspora he had claimed their confidence. His presence carried the weight of vision, strategy, and a tested roadmap for leadership.

To him, unity was not rhetoric but covenant; free and fair elections were not demands but the very soul of the party.

For those who came from distant places to hear him, Ken was more than a politician. He was the choice of Ghana: a bold leader, steady enough to inspire trust, strategic enough to chart direction, and visionary enough to open the future.

And as they filed out into the night, voices still echoing with chants of hope, a single conviction remained: unity without fairness is hypocrisy.

Fifteen out of the 23 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament in the Eastern Region have thrown their support behind Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as he begins his campaign tour of the region.

The former Vice President, who also led the party into the 2024 general election as presidential candidate, is seeking re-election as the NPP’s flagbearer for the 2028 polls.

Dr Bawumia was vetted yesterday by the party’s vetting committee, clearing a crucial hurdle in his quest to lead the NPP again. His supporters in Parliament described him as the candidate with the vision, experience, and grassroots appeal to strengthen the party’s chances in 2028.

The MPs

The Eastern Region is considered a critical battleground for internal contests, and endorsements from MPs are seen as a major boost to his campaign.

Among the MPs backing Dr Bawumia are Sammi Awuku, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Annor Dompreh, Kofi Ahenekorah Marfo, Charles Asuako Owiredu, Kingsley Agyemang, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, Ida Adjoa Asiedu, Kwame Appiah Kodua, Duke Ofori-Atta, Michael Okyere Baafi, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, Kwame Addo Frempong, Alexander Agyare and Laurette Korkor Asante.

Their support is expected to bolster his regional tour and mobilise grassroots enthusiasm for his candidacy.

Dr Bawumia, addressing supporters at the start of his campaign in the Eastern Region, urged party faithful to remain united and focused on recapturing power in 2028.

He emphasised that his track record in government and his vision for Ghana’s future make him the best choice to lead the NPP into the next election.

“Together, we can build a stronger party and a stronger nation,” he said.Source : Peacefmonline.com

 

Former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has expressed confidence in his bid to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after appearing before the party’s vetting committee in Accra on Tuesday, September 23.

Speaking to journalists after his vetting, Dr. Bawumia described the session as both thorough and productive.

“We have had very fruitful discussions. They have asked many questions, and I have answered those questions. So I am very satisfied with my vetting, and I pray that everything is okay. I hope the committee is as satisfied as I am,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia expressed gratitude to party members and supporters, stressing the importance of continued engagement with delegates as the internal contest intensifies.

 

“I want to thank the rank and file of this party, and I think that from vetting we are heading straight into the country to campaign,” he noted.

He further underscored that despite his status as former Vice President, he and his campaign team were not taking anything for granted.

“We are not taking anything for granted. We have to campaign, sell our ideas and sell the NPP so that we can secure this nomination and proceed for the 2028 election,” Dr. Bawumia added.Source:Abigail Arthur

 

 

New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, says the party knows he is ready to lead the nation as president.

Speaking after his vetting in Accra on Tuesday, September 23, the outspoken politician and businessman expressed confidence in his performance and the party’s recognition of his capabilities.

“I was prepared. I believe I answered all the questions and they know I’m ready to be president of this country,” Agyapong stated.

He revealed that the vetting panel was particularly interested in understanding his motivation for seeking the presidency and his vision for Ghana and the NPP.

“They really wanted to know why I want to be president and my vision for the country, as well as the party. So I enumerated a couple of points on how I’m going to address some problems,” he explained.

According to Agyapong, the interview process was fair and respectful. He noted that while the questions were relevant and challenging, they were not confrontational.

“They didn’t antagonise me because they know my potential already. But they asked tangible and reasonable questions. They were not hostile to me,” he added.

With years of service to the NPP, Agyapong says he feels deeply rooted in the party and believes his track record speaks for itself.

“They know I’ve been a through and through party member for so long, so I didn’t face any serious questions. I was free to answer their questions,” he noted.

Agyapong is among the leading contenders in the race for the NPP’s flagbearer slot as the party prepares for the 2028 general elections.
Source:Abigail Arthur

By:A correspondent

Mrs.Christiana Agyapong, the wife of the New Patriotic party NPP Presidential hopeful Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, has emphasised the importance of having a visionary leader with a solid reputation and credibility for development.

Addressing the New Patriotic party NPP women delegates in the Ashanti Region, Mrs. Christiana Agyapong highlighted Hon Kennedy Agyapong track record as a problem solver, showcasing the impact of policies he has initiated while serving as Ghana’s Member of Parliament.

Mrs.Christiana Agyapong

Mrs. Agyapong said the necessity for problem solvers, forward thinking individuals and innovators in Ghana’s leadership was prime.

She therefore appealed to the NPP delegates to consider hon.kennedy in the upcoming presidential primaries.

Touching on unemployment issues in Ghana, Mrs. Agyapong said, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong is ready to create jobs opportunities for Ghanaian youths if giving the opportunity to lead the NPP party and the country in the near future.

 

A “thank-you tour” announced by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, is stirring a storm of controversy within the party, with critics suggesting that the three-day program is less about gratitude and more about positioning for a future presidential bid.

 

The tour, set to take place from September 17 to 19, 2025, across 16 constituencies in the Eastern Region, is being officially marketed as a follow-up appreciation effort on behalf of the NDC. Party officials say it is meant to recognize the contributions of executives, cadres, and grassroots organizers who worked tirelessly for the NDC’s victory in the 2024 elections.

 

But that explanation is being met with sharp skepticism. Party insiders and sources close to the Presidency view the initiative as a thinly disguised early campaign launch by Asiedu Nketia, widely seen as harboring presidential ambitions for the 2028 elections.

 

The controversy stems largely from the fact that former President John Dramani Mahama, who led the NDC to victory in 2024, already completed an extensive nationwide “thank-you tour” just two months earlier, in July 2025. According to many within the party, this makes another appreciation tour not only redundant but politically suspicious.

 

“This is about optics and positioning,” one Eastern Regional party source told reporters. “By moving around the country under the NDC banner, Chairman Nketia is effectively testing the waters and cementing his presence in constituencies ahead of 2028.”

 

Friction Between Party and Government

 

The move has also rattled the Presidency, where some senior government officials view the tour as ill-timed. They argue that the NDC government’s immediate priority should be on stabilizing the economy and fulfilling campaign promises, rather than entertaining succession politics barely a year into its term.

 

“Whatever the fortunes of the NDC will be in 2028 depends squarely on government performance now,” a source close to the Presidency emphasized. “For the next two years at least, all focus should be on delivery, not campaign maneuvering. Chairman Nketia’s tour risks becoming a distraction.”

 

This divergence of priorities is reportedly widening a rift between the Presidency and the party leadership, fueling concerns of internal division.

Full Itinerary of the Tour

Despite the criticism, the itinerary remains packed, signaling a high-profile show of strength:Wednesday, September 17, 2025: Asuogyamang, Lower Manya, Upper Manya, Yilo, and Okere.

Thursday, September 18, 2025: Akuapem North, Akuapem South, Nsawam, Upper West Akim, and Asamankese.Friday, September 19, 2025: Akroso, Achiase, Swedru, Akim Oda, Kade, and Akwatia.

Each stop is expected to feature rallies, closed-door meetings, and community engagements. Attendees will include constituency and branch executives, former party officers, coordinators, cadres, chiefs, assembly members, as well as influential groups such as the Drivers’ Union

Analysts Weigh In

Political analysts say the unfolding drama underscores the delicate balance between party politics and governance. With Mahama constitutionally barred from contesting again after 2028, the race for his successor is already quietly in motion. Asiedu Nketia, a long-time strategist and kingmaker in the NDC, is increasingly being seen as a contender who could attempt to transition from party chairman to presidential candidate.The tour’s reception—both from the grassroots and the general public—will be closely watched. If embraced warmly by local structures, it could strengthen Asiedu Nketia’s hand in the looming internal contest. If resisted, it risks deepening factional tensions in a party that only recently returned to power.

For now, the “thank-you tour” has become more than a courtesy call—it is shaping up as a litmus test for unity, discipline, and ambition within the NDC.Source :YAW OBENG MANU

 

Former Education Minister and aspiring NPP flag bearer, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, says his life story, humility, and global experience give him an edge in the race to lead the largest opposition party.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on September 16, Dr Adutwum recalled how he first won his parliamentary candidate race despite doubts about his background.

“There are some who said he just came, but I campaigned. I told my story. I got the delegates to understand why I was running. I did not say any negative about my opponent. I made them know that this is me. I’m here. I want us to change this constituency.”

He explained that his approach then is the same he will adopt as he tours the country to meet delegates.

“When I go across the country in the next few days to meet the delegates, I’m going to tell them who Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum is, and for them to know that this is my life story. I’m here because of divine providence and the grace of God, and that is why I’m standing in front of you today.

“I come with humility, because that’s what I’m made of. I have nothing to be arrogant about. I have nothing to be pompous about. I’m going to serve you and serve you well. I will bring this party together because I’m not insulting anybody for other people.”

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum

Asked to spell out his unique selling proposition, Dr Adutwum said he stands tall as a transformer with both local and international experience.

“My unique selling proposition is that, one, I’m a transformer, and they can look at my track record when I took over the Ministry of Education.

“They can also look at the fact that I’ve done something with serious experience in the United States of America, where I was able to raise funds from Wall Street in building schools in Southern California.”

He stressed that his global exposure shapes his approach to Ghana’s challenges.

“My unique selling advantage is that I have global experience. I know how other countries have transformed themselves. I’ve been part of a society where a can-do attitude was everything.

“I tell people that what I got from America was not the money that I needed, what I got from there was the sense that everything is possible.”

For him, Ghana’s problems of poverty and unemployment should not be seen as obstacles but as issues that can be fixed with the right mindset.

“Dr Adutwum is not going to look at the issues surrounding poverty and lack of jobs and be bogged down by it and be frustrated by it.

“Dr Adutwum’s life experience in Ghana and the United States has taught me useful lessons that will make me look at challenges facing this country through a different prism altogether, because I don’t understand why some countries have done it, but we can’t.”

He concluded by saying that Ghana has enough goodwill to turn its fortunes around.

“We have enough people of goodwill in this country who are also frustrated by what is going on and want to see us turn the corner on poverty, and I’ll mobilise those army of people of goodwill, and I’ll say to them, let us put this scourge to rest and let our children grow up in a country where everything is possible.”Source: Abubakar Ibrahim

 

New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has reaffirmed his commitment to unity, stating that no amount of provocation will push him to retaliate.

Speaking during his Unity Tour in Nkoranza South in the Bono East Region, the presidential aspirant emphasized the importance of peace and togetherness within the party.

Hon. Agyapong reiterated that his campaign is centered on fostering unity and strengthening the NPP. He stressed that personal attacks and political distractions will not deter him from his mission of building a united and focused party ahead of the upcoming presidential primaries.

 

“No attack or provocation will draw a reaction from me. My objective is unity, and I will not be sidetracked. I am guided by the wisdom of 1 Corinthians 13:11,” he stated.Source : Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

 

The 2024 Presidential Candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Alhaji Mahammudu Bawumia, has said he would not have sought another opportunity to lead the opposition party if Prof Mike Ocquaye report had linked the party’s defeat to his tribe or religion.

According to the former Vice President, he told the former president, Nana Akufo-Addo, that he was ready to sit back in order not to affect the future political fortunes of the NPP.

Speaking to delegates at Abuakwa on Saturday, September 13, 2025, Dr. Bawumia stressed that he would not allow his political ambition to override the party’s interest.

He noted that he was willing to step away from leading the party in the 2028 polls had the Ocquaye’s report cited his tribe or religion as part of reasons for NPP’s 2024 election defeat.

“Before Ocquaye report came out, I had a meeting with Akufo-Addo and others. We were having a discussion about reasons on why we lost the 2024 election.

“I told Akufo-Addo that if the findings of the Ocquaye report indicate that because I’m a Muslim or I’m a Mamprusi-Kusasi, we lost the election, I will step down and not contest anymore. This is what I told Akufo-Addo. Because I will not choose my interest over the party’s interest. The party’s interest must always be ahead of me.

“I told Akufo-Addo that because of the party, I will sacrifice any ambition including the fact that if I contest, we will lose. But when the Ocquaye report, Ashanti report and Konrad Adenauer Foundation report came out, all of them pointed to the same conclusion – religion, tribe was not a factor in the 2024 election,” Dr. Bawumia stated.

In 2025, Professor Mike Oquaye was commissioned by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to chair a 12-member committee to investigate the reasons for the party’s defeat in the 2024 general election.

The committee was tasked with compiling a detailed report on the party’s performance in the 2024 elections to help it reorganize and reposition itself for the 2028 polls.

The resulting document is a post-election report that the party has declared confidential for internal use only to inform its reform agenda.

The NPP officially announced in April 2025 that the findings would not be made public.