By Daniel Bampoe
With just days to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) crucial presidential primary, all five flagbearer aspirants have publicly committed themselves to peace, unity and respect for internal democratic processes, signing a peace pact designed to safeguard party cohesion before, during and after the January 31, 2026 contest.
The pact was signed on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at a high-level ceremony attended by the party’s national executives, elders, security chiefs and representatives of the National Peace Council, underscoring the significance the NPP attaches to stability as it prepares to elect its next presidential candidate.
The aspirants who appended their signatures to the agreement are former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; Abetifi MP and former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr Bryan Acheampong; Bosomtwe MP and former Minister of Education Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum; and former NPP General Secretary and Presidential Press Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.
Each of the contenders brings a distinct political background and history to the race.
Kwabena Agyapong, a civil engineer by profession, is contesting the party’s flagbearership for the third time, having previously entered the race in 2007 and again in 2023.
Kennedy Agyapong, a businessman-turned-politician, is making his second attempt after finishing second to Dr Bawumia in the 2023 presidential primary.
Dr Bryan Acheampong, the sitting MP for Abetifi in the Eastern Region, is contesting the flagbearership for the first time, while Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, a former Education Minister and MP for Bosomtwe, is also making his debut in the party’s presidential contest.
Dr Bawumia, who led the NPP into the 2024 general election as its presidential candidate, is seeking a renewed mandate from party delegates after emerging winner of the 2023 primary.
The signing of the peace pact comes against the backdrop of heightened political activity within the party as it prepares for one of the most competitive internal elections in its history.
With more than 211,000 delegates expected to vote nationwide, party leaders have repeatedly stressed the need for restraint, discipline and mutual respect among aspirants and their supporters.
Speaking at the ceremony, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong said the agreement reflects the party’s long-standing commitment to internal democracy and peaceful political competition.
He explained that the pact binds all candidates to actively participate in the process, respect the authority of the Presidential Elections Committee, and accept the outcome of the primary as the legitimate expression of the will of party delegates.
“The peace pact ensures that all candidates accept the results of the January 31 primary and commit themselves to party unity,” Kodua Frimpong said.
“It also reinforces the obligation on all aspirants to support the eventual winner, not only in the 2028 general elections but also in building a strong parliamentary presence for the party.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the aspirants collectively acknowledged that the primary process has been conducted in a transparent, inclusive and fair manner, with equal opportunities afforded to all contestants.
They pledged to refrain from actions, statements or campaign strategies that could undermine party cohesion or inflame tensions among supporters.
The pact further commits the candidates to promote peace and unity before, during and after the primaries, reaffirming their loyalty to the NPP regardless of the outcome of the contest.
It also makes provision for any disputes arising from alleged breaches of the agreement to be addressed through the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms, in accordance with the NPP constitution.
Party insiders say the peace pact is rooted in lessons from past internal contests, where post-primary divisions weakened campaign efforts ahead of national elections.
By formally binding aspirants to a code of conduct and post-election cooperation, the NPP leadership hopes to present a united front as it repositions itself for the 2028 general elections.
