By Issah Olegor
Former Interior Minister and campaign manager for Boakye Agyarko’s National Chairmanship bid, Henry Quartey, says the former Energy Minister is the surest bet for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) victory ahead of the 2028 election.
Quartey indicated that the NPP needs a new leadership approach to rebuild its structures and prepare for the 2028 general election.
Speaking to journalists in Accra after a meeting with First and Second Vice Chairpersons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Financial Secretaries, former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Assembly Members and other party stakeholders, the former Interior Minister said the next National Chairman must be capable of bringing together different sections of the party and reconnecting with members who have become disillusioned.
He described Agyarko as possessing the professional, administrative and political experience required to undertake that task, citing his long association with the NPP and knowledge of its internal structures.
“Again, the party needs a new face in terms of Chairmanship to ensure that it will be attractive to all and sundry. And I think the rightful person to lead the party in this charge is Boakye Agyarko,” Quartey said.
His comments come as the NPP prepares to elect new national executives on October 3, 2026, following the party’s defeat in the 2024 general election. Four candidates—former National Chairman Paul Afoko, former General Secretary John Boadu, former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko and former Greater Accra Regional Chairman Sammy Crabbe—are contesting the National Chairmanship.
The chairmanship contest has already moved into the ballot-paper stage. In the September 9 balloting, John Boadu drew position one, Sammy Crabbe position two, Paul Afoko position three and Boakye Agyarko position four.
For Quartey, however, the central issue is not the ballot position or the age of the candidates, but the ability of the next chairman to rebuild the party and provide organisational leadership.
He rejected arguments that Agyarko’s age should count against him, pointing to the age profile of previous successful NPP National Chairmen.
“I have demonstrated factual evidence that since 1992, all the successful Chairmen that the NPP has had, coincidentally, have all been above the ages of 64. So age is not a factor here. Age is not a disadvantage to Boakye Agyarko,” he said.
Quartey said the party’s immediate task should include rebuilding its grassroots structures, restoring confidence among supporters and establishing a clear organisational strategy ahead of 2028.
He said Agyarko’s campaign was particularly focused on reconnecting with members who had become disenchanted with the party, presenting the candidate as a potential bridge between different sections of the NPP.
“He is saying that, look, use me as a bridge. All of you come back and let us fight and bring the party that we once upon a time loved,” Quartey said.
According to him, Agyarko had also deliberately maintained an independent posture during the current internal contest rather than identifying himself with any particular faction within the party.
Quartey also dismissed suggestions that a possible Agyarko chairmanship would create difficulties in working with the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
“And Dr. Bawumia has not told anybody that he cannot work with Boakye Agyarko. That is the fact,” he said.
Agyarko himself has previously framed his bid around rebuilding the NPP after its 2024 electoral setback, with reconciliation, grassroots mobilisation and organisational renewal forming part of his stated objectives. When he filed his nomination in August, he said the party was facing challenges but could recover and return to political power.
The campaign’s message has also received attention following a University of Ghana study examining the views and expectations of NPP stakeholders ahead of the national executive elections.
According to reports on the study, Boakye Agyarko recorded 60.7 per cent when respondents were asked which candidate best matched the characteristics they considered important for the National Chairman position. John Boadu recorded 33.5 per cent, while Paul Afoko recorded 5.9 per cent. The researchers, however, stressed that the findings reflected the views and expectations of the surveyed respondents and should not be interpreted as a prediction of the October 3 election outcome.
The study forms part of a wider discussion within the NPP about the kind of leadership required following the party’s 2024 defeat. The party has described the October 3 elections as the process through which new national executives will be selected to manage its affairs ahead of the next general election.
Quartey urged delegates to treat the internal elections as an opportunity to strengthen the party rather than allow divisions to affect preparations for 2028.
“It’s not just talk, talk, talk. We should have a strategy to win elections,” he said.
He argued that the NPP would need adequate resources, effective organisation and a functioning grassroots structure, while the party’s flagbearer concentrates on the wider electoral campaign and efforts to secure votes.
The meeting was attended by supporters and volunteers of the Boakye Agyarko campaign, including former MMDCEs, Assembly Members, Chief Executives, Members of Parliament, Financial Secretaries and other party activists.
The October 3 national executive elections will determine the leadership team that will oversee the NPP’s organisational activities and preparations as the party looks ahead to the 2028 general elections.
