By: Daniel Bampoe
The race to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2028 general elections has officially kicked into high gear — not at a rally, not at a debate, but through a show of financial muscle at a party caucus meeting.
At the just-ended NPP Constituency Chairmen Conference in Kumasi over the weekend, aspiring flagbearers not only spoke about unity and party rebuilding; they backed their words with substantial cash donations, sparking intense conversation within party ranks and beyond.
The gathering, which brought together all 275 NPP constituency chairmen, was a strategic launchpad for would-be presidential candidates seeking to position themselves for the flagbearer race.
But what was billed as a meeting of ideas and strategy quickly became a contest of generosity — and, in many quarters, perceived influence.
Cash Showdown
The financial contributions at the event sent shockwaves through the party and the political space.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s 2024 presidential candidate and former Vice President, reportedly donated GHS500,000.
Close on his heels was former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who presented GHS300,000 at the conference.
Former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, who announced his intention to contest, chipped in with GHS70,000 widow’s mite.
But the biggest surprise came from former Food and Agriculture Minister and Abetifi MP, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, who stunned delegates by donating about GHS1.5 million — a gesture seen by many as a bold declaration of intent, though he has not officially announced his candidacy. Bryan is expected to declare his candidacy this week after engaging several political stakeholders including the media.
Beyond the direct donations, Kennedy Agyapong made an even bolder promise outside the event: a personal commitment to raise $7 million in support of the party’s reorganization and future internal elections.
The announcement sent social media into a frenzy and raised fresh debates about the role of money in internal party politics.
Each aspirant took the opportunity to couch their donations in messages of unity and reform, echoing calls for a stronger, more focused NPP going into 2028.
While no official flagbearer race has been declared, the undertones were clear — the contest is on.
“Honoured to have been invited to the NPP Constituency Chairmen Caucus today in Kumasi,” Kennedy Agyapong wrote afterward.
“I engaged my fellow party leaders on the urgent need to address internal challenges and unite for a stronger, more focused party ahead of the next general election.”
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who has yet to formally declare his intention to run again, was more measured but still hinted at long-term ambitions.
“I reiterated the need for us to keep working together to achieve our shared desire of building a more united and stronger NPP for victory in 2028,” he stated on social media.
Bryan Acheampong, who has increasingly become visible in recent party activities, used the platform to align himself with the grassroots.
“I reaffirmed our shared vision and values,” he posted.
“We must focus on uniting and rebuilding the NPP for victory in 2028.”
Dr. Yaw Adutwum, whose name had been in the political rumour mill, formally declared his intention to contest over the weekend, making the Chairmen’s event his first appearance as a prospective candidate.
While the event showcased political camaraderie, sources within the party reveal that it barely masked rising tensions and deepening rivalry among camps.
Behind the scenes, over 60 MPs aligned with Dr. Bawumia reportedly stormed his residence last week to pledge their support and urge him to contest again.
Meanwhile, Kennedy Agyapong separately hosted a meeting with former MMDCEs believed to be forming the spine of his campaign machinery.
The Chairmen’s Conference has thus become a symbolic battlefield for influence, where strategy meets spending, and endorsements are quietly traded for loyalty ahead of the yet-to-be-declared flagbearership contest.
The Bigger Picture
For a party recovering from a bruising defeat in 2024, the stakes heading into 2028 couldn’t be higher. With no clear heir to the presidential ticket and multiple strong contenders emerging, the contest is expected to be one of the most competitive in NPP’s history.
But the flashy donations and public pledges have reignited old concerns about the monetization of internal politics.
Some critics worry that the focus on financial contributions risks sidelining grassroots issues and meaningful policy discourse.
Others believe the show of generosity is part and parcel of political mobilization in Ghana’s current context.
