By Daniel Bampoe
The decision by former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to concede defeat early to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, continues to stir controversy within the ruling party.
Kennedy Agyapong and Dr Bryan Acheampong, who are vying for the NPP’s 2028 presidential slot, have openly criticized the move, suggesting it demoralized supporters and weakened the party’s post-election position.
In a political landscape where concession speeches often define democratic maturity, Dr. Bawumia’s early acceptance of defeat — even before the Electoral Commission (EC) officially declared the final results — was viewed by some as an act of peace, and by others, a costly mistake that prematurely ended the NPP’s chances of challenging the outcome.
A Divided Party Over Early Concession
During his recent campaign tour of the Savannah Region, outspoken NPP flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Ohene Agyapong said he would “never concede defeat until the EC declares results,” a statement widely interpreted as a direct jab at Dr. Bawumia.
“Until the last constituency is counted, if I am a presidential candidate, I will never accept defeat. I will never accept defeat until the Electoral Commission comes out to declare,” Kennedy Agyapong asserted, to thunderous applause from supporters.
The former Assin Central legislator said his approach was rooted in defending “the true will of the people,” stressing that early concessions could undermine electoral integrity and the morale of party faithful who had worked tirelessly for victory.
Agyapong also accused some aspirants of running timid campaigns that focus more on personal image than on key national issues such as job creation.
“The delegates must reject any candidate who does not talk about jobs but spends time attacking personalities,” he added.
Bryan Acheampong Echoes Similar Sentiment
Echoing a similar tone, another contender, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, told delegates in September that he would not “accept defeat when vote counting hasn’t been completed.”
His remarks, which came during his campaign for the upcoming January 31, 2026, NPP presidential primaries, underscored his belief that every vote must be fully verified before any public concession is made.
Dr Acheampong dismissed media reports and polls showing him trailing behind other aspirants, including Dr. Bawumia, stating that the “true verdict lies with the delegates, not the media.”
The Abetifi MP, known for his bold campaign style, had previously drawn public criticism for comments ahead of the 2024 elections, where he declared that the NPP would use “every means necessary” to retain power — remarks that sparked national debate about political overreach and voter confidence.
Bawumia’s 2024 Concession And Its Aftermath
Dr. Bawumia’s early concession in the 2024 general elections came amid high tension and sporadic reports of violence across parts of Ghana.
His televised statement acknowledging defeat was seen as an attempt to prevent escalation and safeguard Ghana’s democratic stability.
Many political analysts commended his decision, noting that Ghana’s democracy, shaped since the early 1990s, had evolved through difficult transitions from military regimes to peaceful electoral contests.
Dr Bawumia, they argued, acted in line with the spirit of peace and democratic continuity that has characterized the Fourth Republic.
However, within sections of the NPP, especially among grassroots members and some presidential hopefuls, Dr Bawumia’s move was perceived as premature and politically damaging.
After Bawumia’s announcement, most of the NPP members left the Coalition Centers which the NDC members sent thugs to attack the place and forcefully declared their parliamentary candidates as winners while the EC hasn’t done with the coalition of the results.
These brought tension across the country and put fear in the NPP supporters to go on hide.
They believe the party lost an opportunity to scrutinize the EC’s results or mobilize legal redress, which could have altered public perception of the vote’s credibility.
NPP’s Internal Contest Intensifies
The NPP will elect its new flagbearer on January 31, 2026, to lead the party into the 2028 general elections.
The contest has already drawn major figures, including Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Kennedy Agyapong, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia himself, who has hinted at a second attempt.
At a recent balloting event supervised by the Electoral Commission, Kennedy Agyapong drew the first slot on the ballot paper, followed by Bryan Acheampong, Bawumia, Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyepong, respectively.
According to the party’s Presidential Elections Committee Secretary, William Yamoah, the exercise was designed to ensure transparency and fairness in the upcoming primary.
“The New Patriotic Party remains steadfast in its resolve to conduct a transparent, credible, and peaceful presidential primary,” Yamoah stated.
A Question of Leadership Style
The renewed debate over Bawumia’s early concession has become symbolic of the broader contest within the NPP — a struggle between those advocating for calm, diplomacy, and continuity, and those pushing for assertive, unapologetic leadership to rival the opposition NDC.
Supporters of Bawumia argue that his gesture in 2024 prevented Ghana from sliding into chaos, calling it an act of patriotism and statesmanship.
His critics, however, maintain that it signaled weakness and cost the NPP both political momentum and bargaining power.
