By Daniel Bampoe
The Opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially closed nominations for its 2026 presidential primaries, with five prominent figures set to face off in what promises to be one of the fiercest internal contests in recent party history.
The primaries, scheduled for January 31, 2026, will decide who leads the party into the 2028 general elections.
Five Contenders, One Flagbearer
According to the Presidential Elections Committee, the aspirants who successfully filed their nominations are: former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong; former NPP General Secretary, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; and former Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.
This lineup reflects a mix of old guards, comeback figures, and new-generation leaders, making the contest highly competitive.
Political watchers have already drawn parallels to the 2007 NPP primaries, which saw 17 aspirants lock horns in what was considered the most competitive flagbearership contest in the party’s history.
Background of the Aspirants
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia – former Vice President and a former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, was a central figure in the Akufo-Addo administration since 2017, spearheading digitalisation and economic reforms.
This will not be his first attempt at the NPP’s presidential slot, having previously contested in the 2023 primaries and subsequently contesting the 2024 general elections. His long experience in government and technocratic background make him the presumed front-runner.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong – The outspoken former Assin Central legislator is known for his grassroots appeal and blunt political style.
He was a strong contender in the 2023 primaries ahead of the 2024 elections, and his loyalists see him as a straight-talking leader capable of breaking political barriers.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong – A businessman, former soldier, and legislator for Abetifi. Dr. Acheampong rose to prominence as a key strategist in the NPP’s 2024 campaign.
His tenure as Agriculture Minister earned him recognition for spearheading food security initiatives.
Critics, however, view him as one of the more controversial figures in the race due to his combative political style.
Kwabena Agyei Agyepong – One time General Secretary of the party. Kwabena Agyepong was suspended in 2015 during a turbulent period in the NPP’s internal politics.
His third attempt at the contest is seen as an attempt to project himself as a unifier with deep party roots. A civil engineer by profession, he has served the NPP in various capacities since the 1990s.
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum – The former Education Minister and Bosomtwe MP is best known for his role in implementing the Free Senior High School programme.
With an academic background in education from the United States, he represents a younger generation of leadership within the NPP, positioning himself as a candidate of fresh ideas.
Vetting and Campaigning Ahead
The Vice Chairman of the NPP 2026 Presidential Elections Committee, Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, confirmed that the next step in the process will be vetting in September 2025.
Candidates will undergo scrutiny on constitutional requirements, including citizenship, age, and criminal record status, before being cleared to hit the campaign trail in full swing.
An official publication of approved candidates is expected in October, after which nationwide campaigning will intensify.
Call for Clean Campaign
Abankwah Yeboah has strongly cautioned aspirants to conduct clean, issue-based campaigns to safeguard party unity.
He likened the contest to a royal succession, where multiple royals may show interest but only one ascends the stool.
“We are one family. When royals contest for a stool, it does not mean they should undermine or insult one another. Whatever is said today may be used against us tomorrow in the national campaign,” he told journalists.
He urged aspirants to focus on articulating their vision for the NPP and the nation rather than resorting to personal attacks, warning that a divided party could weaken the NPP’s chances in the 2028 polls.
Allegations of High Filing Fees
The nomination process was not without controversy. Former presidential hopeful Francis Addai Nimoh criticized the filing fees as exorbitant, alleging they were designed to favour certain aspirants.
But Abankwah Yeboah dismissed these claims, clarifying that the fees covered administrative charges and party development levies.
“This election requires significant resources. The fees charged are reasonable and necessary for the process. If anyone has grievances, the proper channel is to petition the party,” he explained.
Road to 2028
However, as the NPP prepares to choose a candidate for the 2028 elections, after the party suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2024 general elections, the stakes could not be higher.
Delegates across the country will soon weigh the competing visions of five very different contenders, each hoping to secure the party’s mandate to contest the 2028 general elections.
