BY Issah Olegor
The race for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership has intensified, with Kennedy Agyapong drawing criticism after urging delegates in Kyebi, Abuakwa South constituency, Eastern Region, to support him on the basis of ethnicity.
Addressing party delegates, Kennedy Agyapong framed his appeal as a call for Akan solidarity, claiming that northerners vote along tribal lines and that Akans should reciprocate.
In a speech widely circulated on social media, Kennedy Agyapong lamented that MPs from northern regions have historically united behind a single candidate, contrasting it with the south, where he claimed disunity undermined the prospects of Akan aspirants like himself.
He warned that continued fragmentation could result in “royals becoming servants,” portraying his message as a cultural and political imperative.
“Let us be very careful because we are making a mistake. Some people are able to get together and say, ‘This is our brother.’ But when it gets to our turn, we are not able to unite. We shall remain servants if we don’t change our minds,” Agyapong told delegates in Twi.
Supporters of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia however, interpret his remarks as a reaction to a lukewarm reception from delegates, suggesting that his campaign strategy may be faltering. They wonder if Agyapong will go to the north to campaign in an event of winning the race.
In series of social media post, they argue that Kennedy Agyapong’s appeal to tribal identity reflects a campaign “grasping at straws,” particularly as recent polls indicate strong national-level support for former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Kennedy Agyapong’s insistence on ethnic solidarity overlooks historical precedent in Ghanaian politics.
One Awal Mohammed, a supporter of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia explains that Northerners have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to prioritize competence over regional affiliation.
In a post he noted that, for instance, Kwame Aboagye, an Akan from Adansi in the Ashanti Region, successfully contested and won as Constituency Organizer and later as Regional Organizer in the Savannah Region, defeating local northern incumbents.
Similarly, during the 2007 NPP presidential campaign, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, a northerner and Vice President candidate, did not secure all northern votes, as Akufo-Addo won with a broad coalition.
Critics have also questioned Agyapong’s claims about his business credentials. While he frequently emphasizes his experience as a businessman with purportedly 7,000 employees, he has yet to provide verifiable details about these enterprises.
In contrast, other aspirants, including Bryan Acheampong, present documented business ventures, further undermining Agyapong’s credibility.
In terms of governance experience, Kennedy Agyapong ranks lowest among the five leading candidates.
Awal Mohammed said he dropped out of university at Level 300, and aside from a Board Chairmanship at Ghana Gas, he has no record of managing a ministry or government agency. His opponents, by contrast, include three PhD holders and a seasoned engineer with proven administrative experience.
Others warn that Agyapong’s divisive rhetoric risks deepening fractures within the NPP, threatening party unity ahead of the 2028 general elections. Delegates and party stakeholders face a choice between a candidate relying on ethnic appeals and one with a record of national governance.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, campaigning on his record as Vice President and his vision for Ghana’s development, remains a frontrunner, particularly in the northern regions.
They argue that his focus on competence, policy, and national unity positions him as the candidate most capable of consolidating the party and winning the presidency in 2028.
The upcoming NPP primaries, scheduled for January 2026, will be a critical test of whether the party can move beyond ethnic politics and focus on leadership qualities that resonate across all regions. Delegates are now being urged to weigh experience, integrity, and national appeal over appeals to tribal loyalty.
