By Daniel Bampoe
In a major shake-up ahead of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2026 presidential primaries, a powerful bloc of former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) has abandoned earlier engagements with Kennedy Agyapong and Bryan Acheampong to throw its full support behind former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The declaration was made at a press conference on Monday, June 17, 2025, at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, where the group — calling itself the Forum of Former MMDCEs for Bawumia — announced a resounding endorsement for Dr. Bawumia’s bid to lead the party into the next general election.
The endorsement represents a sharp political turn, coming just days after the same group held closed-door meetings with both Kennedy Agyapong and Bryan Acheampong — two of Dr. Bawumia’s strongest contenders in the upcoming flagbearership race.
Political U-Turn
The shift in allegiance followed a series of high-level meetings.
On Thursday, June 13, the former MMDCEs met with Kennedy Agyapong at his campaign office in Accra.
Over the weekend, they traveled to Nkawkaw, where they spent two nights at Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City Hotel in Nkwatia.
These meetings sparked speculation that either Ken or Bryan would gain their backing.
But in a dramatic twist, the group re-emerged in Accra on Monday and made their loyalty to Dr. Bawumia official — a move that has stirred both excitement and anger across the party’s ranks.
“We’ve done our homework. We’ve met everyone. And we are convinced that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the right man to lead the NPP in 2028,” declared the group’s spokesperson.
220 MMDCEs Support
According to the forum, 220 former MMDCEs who served during the Akufo-Addo administration from 2017 to 2024 have signed onto the endorsement.
These are individuals who understand the party’s grassroots structure and have firsthand experience with governance and mobilisation at the local level.
“We are not just endorsing him; we are activating our networks. We will mobilise, campaign, and resource this effort. This is total commitment,” the statement read.
With 95% of the members being former regional and constituency executives, the group believes its experience and influence will play a critical role in swaying the party’s base in favour of Dr. Bawumia.
Why Bawumia?
The group cited Dr. Bawumia’s achievements as Vice President, particularly in spearheading Ghana’s digital transformation — such as the Ghana Card system, mobile money interoperability, and the paperless ports initiative.
They also pointed to his unifying leadership style, widespread public appeal, and electoral viability as reasons for backing him.
“Bawumia comes with a known brand and a visible track record. Unlike other fresh faces, he already starts the race with an estimated 41% voter recognition.
That gives the NPP a competitive edge,” they stated.
MPs Declare for Bawumia
This endorsement comes on the heels of a similar move by over 60 NPP Members of Parliament, who recently visited Dr. Bawumia to express their support.
Notable among the MPs were Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Sammi Awuku, and Mohammed Amin Adam — all of whom are viewed as party heavyweights.
“This is a sign of where the strength of the party is consolidating,” one senior NPP official told this reporter. “The momentum is clearly behind Bawumia.
NPP’s Path to 2028: Unity or More Division?
With the NPP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council setting January 31, 2026, as the date for the party’s presidential primaries, the race is heating up much earlier than expected.
The flurry of endorsements signals both strength and concern: while some see the consolidation behind Bawumia as a step toward party unity, others fear it could deepen divisions and lead to another acrimonious primary season — especially after the bruising 2024 general elections.
For now, Dr. Bawumia appears to be the man to beat. And with grassroots heavyweights and MPs lining up behind him, the NPP’s internal race for 2028 has begun in full force.
