BY Issah Olegor
Former Member of Parliament for Mampong in the Ashanti Region, Francis Addai-Nimoh, has bowed out of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer race, citing what he describes as an “unhealthy political environment” within the party.
This marks the third time the civil engineer-turned-politician has failed in his attempt to lead the ruling party into a general election.
In a press statement dated August 27, 2025, Addai-Nimoh disclosed that he had reached his decision after “broad consultations, advice from team members and careful reflection on the current circumstances of the party.”
He pointed to what he described as inappropriate timing of the January 31, 2026 primary, the “top-down approach” adopted by the party, bias among party executives toward a particular candidate, and the “unreasonable monetization of politics,” citing the GH¢4.6 million filing fee as key reasons for his withdrawal.
“These factors undermine the foundations of our internal democratic culture and place unethical emphasis on money rather than competence and winnability,” he said, while wishing other aspirants well.
History of Electoral Defeats
Francis Addai-Nimoh’s political journey has been marked by repeated setbacks. First elected to Parliament in 2008, he served the Mampong Constituency until 2017.
During his tenure, he became Ranking Member on the Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, gaining a reputation as a thoughtful legislator.
His national political ambitions, however, have been less fruitful.
In 2014, he contested the NPP’s presidential primary but lost.
A year later, in 2015, he sought re-election as parliamentary candidate for Mampong but was defeated in the party’s primaries.
Since then, he has made repeated but unsuccessful attempts at the NPP flagbearership, often positioning himself as a reformist voice against what he sees as money-driven politics within the party.
Professional and Philanthropic Background
A civil engineer by training, Addai-Nimoh obtained his BSc in Civil Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 1993.
He worked with various engineering firms before joining the Ministry of Roads and Highways in 2004 as a senior engineer, where he supervised and monitored road projects across the country.
Beyond politics, he is the Managing Director of Franstan Limited, a construction and supply company, and also leads the Francis Addai-Nimoh Foundation, which supports projects in education, food security, and poverty reduction.
His Presidential Vision
Over the years, Addai-Nimoh has presented himself as a candidate of integrity and competence, insisting that Ghana needs “a practical, honest and capable leader” to address its challenges.
In his previous campaigns, he outlined a “Seven Achievable Objectives Programme” focused on education, health, infrastructure, employment, accountability, agriculture, and public sector reforms.
However, his inability to break through the entrenched party structures and the growing influence of money in internal contests has consistently undermined his bids.
With his exit, the race will now be left to other aspirants, including prominent figures like Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Bryan Acheampong, Kwabena Agyepong anf former Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwun as the party faces mounting criticism over the monetization of its internal politics.
