By Daniel Bampoe
The Opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) goes to the polls today, Saturday January 31, 2026, in what is widely being described as one of the most decisive internal elections in the party’s history, as thousands of delegates across the country vote to elect a new presidential flagbearer for the 2028 general election.
Today’s contest is far more than a routine party primary. It has become one of the most closely watched political battles of the Fourth Republic, shaped by scientific polling projections, spiritual prophecies, intense grassroots mobilisation, deep party traditions, and the urgent question of who can lead the NPP back to power after its bruising defeat in 2024.
At the heart of the race is former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is widely being tipped by multiple survey organisations as the frontrunner.
But he faces strong competition from outspoken businessman and former Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Bryan Acheampong, former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and former NPP General Secretary Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.
With delegates gathering across constituencies nationwide to cast their votes, the outcome is expected to determine not only the party’s next presidential candidate but also its future direction and strategy ahead of the 2028 elections.
A Party At Crossroads
The stakes of today’s election are unusually high because it comes barely two years after the NPP’s dramatic loss in the 2024 general elections, when the party lost both the presidency and significant parliamentary ground after eight years in government.
In the 2024 contest, President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC secured 6,328,397 votes, while Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia polled 4,877,611 valid votes, representing 41.75% of the national total.
Many analysts argued that the defeat reflected broad voter frustration over economic hardship, unemployment pressures, rising taxes, and unpopular fiscal measures such as the Electronic Levy (E-Levy).
Party insiders have insisted the outcome was largely a protest against difficult economic conditions rather than a rejection of Dr. Bawumia personally.
Supporters point out that securing nearly five million votes under what many describe as one of the most unpopular periods of an incumbent government demonstrates that Bawumia remains the party’s most viable national figure heading into 2028.
Polls Place Bawumia Ahead
In the final days leading to today’s vote, several major polling organisations published findings projecting a clear advantage for Dr. Bawumia.
Global InfoAnalytics, one of the most prominent survey institutions, released a final predictive model in January indicating that Dr. Bawumia is heading toward a commanding 57% one-touch victory, ahead of Kennedy Agyapong at 28%, Dr. Bryan Acheampong at 13%, and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum at 2%.
The poll, conducted between December 29, 2025 and January 23, 2026, surveyed 10,133 respondents across all 16 regions and 272 constituencies using computer-assisted telephone interviews. It carried a confidence level of 99.9% with a margin of error of ±1.57%.
Africa Policy Lens (APL) similarly projected Bawumia as the likely winner, placing him at 61%, with Kennedy Agyapong at 25.1%, based on research involving 9,122 respondents across all 276 constituencies.
CenPOA’s poll suggested a tighter contest but still placed Bawumia in the lead with 42%, compared to 34% for Kennedy Agyapong.
Meanwhile, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung post-election report indicated that a plurality of NPP grassroots supporters — 48.7% — preferred Dr. Bawumia to lead the party into the 2028 elections.
Together, these projections have strengthened the narrative within the party that today may indeed be “Bawumia’s day.”
Conflicting Surveys And The Kennedy Factor
Despite the strong polling advantage enjoyed by the former Vice President, not all surveys have aligned with the same outcome.
Some organisations, including the Sanity Africa Poll and a survey attributed to Dr. Evans Duah, have projected Kennedy Agyapong as the likely winner, placing him at around 52%, with Bawumia trailing between 36% and 40%.
These conflicting projections have fueled uncertainty and reinforced the competitive nature of the race, particularly given Kennedy Agyapong’s reputation for grassroots mobilisation and his outsider appeal to sections of the party base demanding a more confrontational political style.
Kennedy Agyapong has positioned himself as the anti-establishment candidate — one who can shake up the party’s traditional hierarchy and energise the base ahead of 2028.
Prophecies Enter The Political Battlefield
Adding an extraordinary dimension to today’s contest is the growing role of religious prophecy.
JoyNews Research has tracked at least 11 prophecies connected to the NPP primary. Out of these, eight reportedly predict victory for Dr. Bawumia, while three forecast a win for Kennedy Agyapong.
Prophet Bohyeba has claimed Dr. Bawumia will sweep victory in 10 regions, while Prophet William Braham has described him as the “spiritually chosen candidate” for 2028.
However, Prophet Bernard Elbernard Nelson-Eshun of Spiritlife Revival Ministries has insisted that Kennedy Agyapong will emerge victorious, declaring that he is placing his 27 years of prophetic ministry on the line.
The prophetic interventions have sparked national debate, with political scientist Prof. Ransford Gyampo describing the primary as a “battle between science and prophecy.”
Mussa Dankwah Pushes Back
Global InfoAnalytics Executive Director Mussa Dankwah has strongly dismissed the notion that prophecy can override electoral reality.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Dankwah argued that elections are determined by the will of delegates, not spiritual declarations.
“I don’t think a prophecy can change an outcome. The voice of the people is the voice of God,” he said, insisting his organisation’s methodology is based on random sampling with no manipulation.
Profiles Of The Aspirants
Today’s ballot features five prominent contenders, each representing different traditions within the NPP.
Dr. Bawumia enters the race as the most nationally recognised figure, having served as Vice President from 2017 to 2025 and as the party’s 2024 presidential candidate.
Kennedy Agyapong brings business credibility, populist energy, and strong grassroots enthusiasm among party activists.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong has positioned himself as a strategic organiser with deep party networks and significant resources.
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum appeals to technocratic delegates impressed by education reforms.
Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong represents the reformist wing and is seen by some as carrying less baggage from the last administration.
Today’s Decision And The Road To 2028
However, as delegates vote today, the NPP faces a defining moment: whether to renew confidence in its most recognisable national candidate or turn toward a new direction with an alternative aspirant.
Beyond personalities, today’s outcome will shape the party’s unity, strategy, and readiness for a fierce contest against NDC as Ghana marches toward the 2028 elections.
By the close of polls today, the NPP will know who carries its hopes, its future, and its flag into the next political battle.
