By Issah Olegor
The internal politics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has turned combative as leading presidential aspirants — Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and Dr. Bryan Acheampong — have launched scathing criticisms at former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, over what they describe as his “premature and costly concession” to the then opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The controversy stems from Dr. Bawumia’s decision to concede defeat to former President John Dramani Mahama even before the Electoral Commission (EC) officially declared the 2024 general election results.
While Dr Bawumia’s move was praised by some as an act of statesmanship that preserved the peace and democratic credentials, others within his own party believe it demoralized their supporters and weakened the NPP’s ability to contest the final results.
The Fallout of the Early Concession
In December 2024, tension gripped several parts of Ghana as provisional results trickled in.
Amid sporadic skirmishes and mounting pressure from both camps, Dr. Bawumia took to national television to acknowledge defeat and congratulate the NDC’s John Mahama.
His call for calm and respect for Ghana’s democracy was lauded internationally — but it sparked deep resentment among NPP grassroots supporters and senior figures who believed the party still had a chance to challenge certain results.
Following his announcement, several NPP agents reportedly abandoned coalition centers across the country, which were subsequently attacked by alleged NDC thugs.
Some parliamentary results were declared under contentious circumstances, leading to accusations that the concession created a vacuum the opposition quickly exploited.
Party activists argue that the early concession robbed the NPP of the opportunity to subject the EC’s results to legal scrutiny or demand recounts in disputed constituencies.
Kennedy Agyapong’s Fiery Rebuke
During a campaign tour of the Savannah Region, outspoken NPP presidential hopeful Kennedy Ohene Agyapong told delegates he would “never concede defeat until the Electoral Commission declares results.”
His remarks, delivered to roaring applause, were interpreted as a direct attack on Dr. Bawumia’s 2024 approach.
“Until the last constituency is counted, I will never accept defeat. Never,” Kennedy Agyapong said.
“We must defend the will of the people. Conceding early only weakens our cause and discourages those who fought for victory.”
The former Assin Central MP, known for his blunt and unfiltered style, also warned delegates to reject “cowardly leadership” that prioritizes image over substance.
“The delegates must reject any candidate who does not talk about jobs but spends time attacking personalities,” he charged.
Bryan Acheampong Joins the Offensive
Dr. Bryan Acheampong, another frontrunner in the 2026 NPP presidential race, echoed similar sentiments.
Speaking to delegates in Accra, the Abetifi MP declared that he would never “accept defeat when vote counting hasn’t been completed.”
His comments, seen as aligning with Agyapong’s, underscored a broader frustration among aspirants who feel Bawumia’s conciliatory style cost the party political leverage.
“Every vote matters. We must protect every ballot until the Electoral Commission itself speaks. Anything short of that is betrayal,” Acheampong told supporters.
He also dismissed opinion polls suggesting he was lagging behind other aspirants, insisting that “the true verdict lies with the delegates, not the media.”
Bawumia Defends His Record
Meanwhile, Dr. Bawumia has sought to remind party members of his long-standing sacrifices and contributions to the NPP.
Addressing delegates in the Bono East Region this week, he recounted leaving his post at the African Development Bank in 2012 to support the party during one of its toughest political seasons.
“I have sacrificed for the party for over 16 years,” Bawumia said. “I resigned from the Bank of Ghana to join Nana Akufo-Addo’s ticket in 2008, and again left a high-ranking role at the African Development Bank in 2012. I even led our team to court during the election petition.”
