By Issah Olegor
The battle for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2028 presidential ticket is taking a bold new turn — one defined not just by political rhetoric, but by cash, clout, and campaign muscle.
While Kennedy Agyapong once stood alone as the party’s loudest “money man,” a new challenger has entered the financial arena with surprising force: Bryan Acheampong.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi and former Minister for Food and Agriculture is steadily—and strategically—positioning himself as a formidable contender, matching Kennedy’s famed generosity with calculated, high-profile philanthropic gestures and behind-the-scenes party financing.
As party insiders watch closely, the contest between the two has evolved into a test of not just popularity or policy but of who can outspend, outshine, and outlast.
From Generosity to Strategy: Fire Victim Donations Spark Showdown
In March 2025, after two devastating market fires in Kumasi and Accra, both Kennedy Agyapong and Bryan Acheampong visited affected traders with relief packages — but the scale of their donations set a new tone in the flagbearer race.
Kennedy arrived first, donating GH¢100,000 in cash and 200 streetlights to help restore safety and commerce in the charred Adum Market.
It was a generous act, greeted warmly by the victims and local leaders.
Then came Bryan Acheampong — and the bar was raised.
He donated a total of GH¢800,000, including GH¢300,000 to the same Adum Market victims and another GH¢500,000 to fire-hit traders in Kantamato, Accra.
The sheer magnitude of his contribution sent a strong message: Bryan wasn’t just here to show sympathy; he was here to dominate the stage.
Chairmen Conference Show
The financial duel continued during a high-level meeting with the NPP’s Constituency Chairmen in Kumasi last Saturday.
Bryan Acheampong, in yet another demonstration of his deep pockets, reportedly donated GH¢1.5 million to support the party’s operations with each constituency chairman going home with GHC 5000.
The donation drew applause and respect from party leaders — and sharpened comparisons between him and Kennedy Agyapong, who was also present and pledged support but admitted he would “look for money” to help fund the party’s grassroots revival.
He, however, parted with GHC 300,000 to the 276 chairpersons.
Bryan Acheampong’s approach has been subtle but calculated — doing rather than just talking.
While Kennedy continues to assure delegates of his fundraising ability, Bryan is already cutting the cheques.
Hospitality and Outreach: The MMDCEs Factor
The financial rivalry intensified behind closed doors when both Kennedy and Bryan courted the influential bloc of 220 former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), who recently gathered in the Eastern Region and Accra.
At Bryan Acheampong’s plush Rock City Hotel in Abetifi, he reportedly hosted the MMDCEs for two nights and took well of them.
Kennedy Agyapong also offered cash support to the group. He reportedly offered them GH¢1,000–GH¢1,500 range which angered them for the peanut donation.
Yet, whispers from within the MMDCEs camp suggest disappointment at Kennedy’s offer, as expectations had been set by his own self-proclaimed financial stature.
In a symbolic contrast, when Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia met with the MMDCEs at Alisa Hotel on June 23, he offered no financial incentives but instead made a pointed statement: “I may not be rich. But I have rich ideas. Poor people can also be presidents of Ghana.”
His remark was widely interpreted as a direct jab at the money-driven approach of his two main challengers.
Kennedy Calls for Reform, Warns Against Exclusion
While Dr Acheampong’s financial footprint grows, Kennedy Agyapong has shifted his messaging.
During a meeting with NPP constituency executives in Kumasi, he called for deep internal reforms within the party, warning that unresolved divisions from the 2024 defeat could undermine any flagbearer the party selects.
“Our problem isn’t money or structures — it’s internal sabotage and exclusion,” he said. “We must rebuild from the bottom or nothing will change.”
Agyapong claimed he could raise $7 million “with one phone call” to support the party’s restructuring but warned against the growing trend of sidelining members based on factional loyalty.
Bryan’s Declaration: No Testing Waters
For Bryan Acheampong, the message is clear: he’s not running a ceremonial campaign. Speaking at the NPP Constituency Chairmen Caucus Conference in Kumasi, he boldly declared, “I’m not here to test the waters. I’m here for power.”
Tracing his rise from grassroots mobiliser to MP and cabinet minister, Acheampong reminded the audience of his long-standing service to the NPP — often behind the scenes and without fanfare
“Our mission in 2028 is clear: unite the NPP and return to power with a renewed sense of purpose,” he said. “This isn’t about one man’s ambition. This is about the future of the party.”
The Bigger Picture
With the party’s National Council (NC) setting January 31, 2026, for the next presidential primary, the stage is already crowded.
Dr. Bawumia remains a frontrunner, while Kennedy Agyapong and Bryan Acheampong are now considered his fiercest rivals.
Others, including Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Joe Ghartey, Francis Addai-Nimoh, BoakyeAgyarko and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, have also declared their intentions.
But among them, it is the financial chess match between Kennedy and Bryan that has captured the party’s attention. Once perceived as the lone financier with unmatched reach, Kennedy is now facing stiff competition from a more discreet, more strategic—and equally resourced—rival.
