BY Daniel Bampoe
Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has officially set his campaign machinery in motion, beginning with a high-profile tour of the Ashanti Region ahead of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, 2026.
The tour, which spans from September 10 to 12, 2025, is designed to reconnect with party grassroots, build consensus among stakeholders, and strengthen unity within the NPP.
It also marks the first major regional engagement since Dr. Bawumia declared his intention to lead the party into the 2028 general elections.
A Strategic Start
The Ashanti Region remains the NPP’s stronghold, often delivering the largest share of votes for the party in national elections.
Beginning his campaign in this region is a strategic decision, as it sends a strong message about Dr. Bawumia’s commitment to consolidating the party’s base.
The tour will cover ten operational zones: Adansi, Amansie, Asante Akim, Sekyere-Kumawu, Afigya Kwabre, Nsuta-Mampong, Ahafo, Atwima, and Kumasi (Zones 1 and 2).
Dr. Bawumia is expected to meet with constituency executives, Members of Parliament, former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Council of Elders, as well as former party executives.
Unity, Peace, And Reconciliation
Party insiders say the campaign will focus heavily on promoting unity, peace, and reconciliation within the NPP, particularly after recent internal disagreements.
At every stop, Dr. Bawumia will formally inform key regional elders of his decision to contest, seeking their endorsement and blessings while encouraging collaboration to secure a united front.
“The Ashanti Region has always been the backbone of the NPP. Dr. Bawumia’s message of unity and reconciliation is critical at this stage,” a campaign source told reporters.
The Roadmap
The first day of the tour will take him to Adansi, Amansie, and Asante Akim.
On the second day, he will move to the Sekyere Effiduase-Kumawu, Nsuta-Mampong, and Afigya Kwabre zones.
The final leg will cover Ahafo, Atwima, and Kumasi.
Beyond engaging delegates, the tour will serve as an opportunity for Dr. Bawumia to outline his political vision and strategy as he seeks to secure the NPP flagbearership.
His message will highlight the need for collective effort to keep the NPP competitive ahead of the 2028 elections.
Beyond The Delegates
While this tour focuses on regional executives, sources close to Dr. Bawumia’s team indicate that it is only the beginning of a broader campaign plan.
After Ashanti, he is expected to extend his outreach to polling station executives and electoral area coordinators—who form the bedrock of the party’s delegate system.
Political observers believe this two-pronged approach of starting from the top leadership and then moving down to the grassroots could give him an advantage over rivals in the primaries.
Context And Background
Dr. Bawumia, who served as the former Vice President from 2017 to 2025, enters the NPP primaries as one of the leading contenders.
His tenure in government was marked by digitization reforms, financial sector clean-up policies, and a strong role in economic management.
However, his candidacy also faces scrutiny over the country’s recent economic turbulence and cedi depreciation during the latter part of his vice presidency.
Despite these challenges, he remains a formidable figure within the NPP.
His campaign in Ashanti will serve as a litmus test of his support base and could determine his momentum going into the January primaries.
