By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The New Patriotic Party (NPP)—one of Ghana’s two dominant political forces and the primary center-right party—has entered a new political chapter. This follows the decisive victory of former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the presidential primaries. Bawumia secured 110,643 votes, representing 56.48 percent of the valid ballots. The contest took place on Jan. 31, 2026. This result provides him with a clear mandate. He will lead the party’s attempt to reclaim power from the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2028 general elections.
The candidate: Who is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia?
Bawumia is a British-trained economist and former central banker who served as Ghana’s Vice President from 2017 to 2025. Known for spearheading the nation’s “digitalization” agenda, he transformed from a technocratic appointee into the political face of the NPP. After losing the 2024 general election to President John Dramani Mahama, this primary win cements his status as the party’s undisputed leader. It marks his transition from an incumbent deputy to a resilient opposition figure seeking a second chance at the presidency.
Voter perspectives: A divided but determined electorate
The primary results have sparked a range of reactions across the country and the diaspora. These voices highlight the internal challenges Bawumia faces as he seeks to reconcile the party’s traditionalist base with a younger, technocratic vision.
“Bawumia is the most competent leader we have to fix the economy,” said Naa Dei Comey, a retail trader in Accra who supported the win. In contrast, Kwesi Koduah, a teacher in Kumasi who preferred Kennedy Agyapong, stated, “I am disappointed because we needed a radical change to shake up the party’s old ways.” Taking a middle ground, neutral voter Selorm Baeta noted, “I don’t care about internal loyalty; I only care about who has the best strategy to defeat the NDC in 2028.” In the diaspora, New York-based Ghanaian Oheneba Osei-Tutu remarked, “The diaspora wants a leader who understands global markets, and Bawumia fits that profile.” From London, Zainab Iddrisu added, “The margin of victory shows he has work to do to unite everyone before the national campaign.”
From Internal Contest to External Oversight
Immediately following the primary, the NPP Minority in Parliament, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, signaled a strategic pivot. The Caucus announced a “tougher scrutiny” phase of the NDC government, moving beyond internal elections to address national grievances. Key areas of focus include allegations of “questionable transactions” in gold trading involving the Bank of Ghana and the Minerals Commission, as well as the NDC’s management of public transport and youth unemployment. This shift aims to transition the NPP from its post-2024 “healing” phase into a formidable opposition force.
Internal Consolidation: A Mandate for Stability
The presidential primary outcome suggests a deep consolidation of support around Bawumia. This mandate spans both the party’s establishment and its grassroots base. While Kennedy Ohene Agyapong mounted a spirited challenge with 23.76 percent of the vote, the margin was sufficient to avoid a runoff. Dr. Bryan Acheampong followed in third with 18.53 percent. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum and Kwabena Agyei Agyapong finished with marginal shares. Analysts view this clear victory as a signal that the party prioritizes continuity and executive experience over radical change.
Unity as a Prerequisite for Victory
Bawumia used his acceptance speech to issue a stern directive on internal discipline. Speaking at the party headquarters, he signaled that his leadership would prioritize healing. The wounds from a fractured campaign must be mended if the party is to remain viable. He noted that the NPP’s survival depends entirely on a unified front.
“I will work with party leadership at all levels to bring discipline to our party,” Bawumia said. The NPP Minority Leader echoed that sentiment in a supporting statement, emphasizing that the party’s strength lies in its cohesion.
“The painful 2024 electoral defeat taught us an invaluable lesson: unity is not merely a political slogan but our fundamental source of strength,” Afenyo-Markin said.
Strategic Realignment and the 2028 Warning
The NPP has wasted no time pivoting toward the national stage. Former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam indicated that the next three years will focus on deep structural reorganization. This shift serves as a direct challenge to the governing NDC. The NPP aims to transition from the “incumbent baggage” of the past to a lean, formidable opposition machine.
“The NDC should beware. We are coming, and we are coming gallantly,” Amin Adam said.
The Governing NDC’s Counter-Narrative
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has moved quickly to define Bawumia’s win. NDC officials dismissed the election as a repackaging of “failed economic policies.” NDC Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande suggested that internal democracy will not distract the public from the NPP’s previous governance record. The NDC’s dismissive tone sets the stage for a highly polarized three-year campaign.
“The NPP will not see peace in this country as far as I’m concerned,” Gbande said.
Legacy and the Weight of Presidential Endorsement
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo provided a vital bridge between the party’s past and future. By endorsing Bawumia, he sought to stabilize the “establishment” wing of the party. His endorsement frames Bawumia not just as a candidate, but as a statesman ready for the global stage.
“Bawumia has the competency to lead Ghana,” Akufo-Addo said.
Sportsmanship and the Prevention of Breakaway Factions
In a rare display of political maturity, all four unsuccessful aspirants conceded immediately. Kennedy Agyapong, typically a firebrand, embraced the spirit of sportsmanship. This unified concession is a strategic move to prevent the “Alan Kyerematen effect”—the departure of key figures that can bleed a party’s support base.
“Together we stand, divided we fall,” Bawumia said.
Emerging Forces: Acheampong and the Agyapong Base
The results revealed a shifting hierarchy within the NPP. Dr. Bryan Acheampong’s strong third-place showing marks him as a future kingmaker. Meanwhile, political researchers are closely watching the transferability of the “Agyapong base.” Capturing these loyalists is Bawumia’s most urgent internal task.
“Kennedy Agyapong leads a base that, like the Shatta Movement, is steadfast and unchanging,” said Dr. Evans Duah, Financial Economist and Lead Researcher.
Prophetic Failures and the Moral Compass
The intersection of faith and politics faced a public reckoning during this primary. The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Professor Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, condemned the “catastrophic prophetic failures” that plagued the race. His intervention serves as a cultural warning against using religion as a political tool.
“Do not fake the voice of the Lord our God!” Asamoah-Gyadu said.
A Grueling Three-Year Marathon
Former Vice President Bawumia’s victory marks the end of one contest and the beginning of a much harder one. To win in 2028, he must differentiate his platform from the economic scars of the previous administration. Success will require more than just digitalization; it will require a new social contract with a skeptical electorate. The challenge is to maintain this momentum through 36 months of opposition.
