By: Rachel Kakraba
This month marked one year after the NDC government led by President John Dramani Mahama, took over the ship of State. The month witnessed some anniversary programmes, showcasing the NDC’s 12 months stewardship after the change of guard on January 7, 2025. Another major political event to end January, 2026, is not about the governing NDC, but the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s internal contest to elect a flagbearer.
Saturday’s election will set the tone for a new chapter in Ghana’s democratic discourse, where governance and opposition politics are increasingly intertwined.
Background to NPP’s Primaries
In June 2025, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) announced Saturday, January 31, this year, as the date for its presidential primary to elect the candidate who will lead the party into Ghana’s 2028 general election. After the nomination processes for the internal NPP flagbearer contest, five persons made it onto the ballot paper.
1. Mr. Kennedy Agyapong
On the number spot is a Former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, who is not new to this contest, having given it a shot in 2023. Leveraging on his strength in grassroots mobilization and charisma, his campaign anchors on creating employment opportunities for especially the youth.
“We want somebody who can create businesses for the youth of this country. I always say that any human being without a job has no life. Do you want life? Then vote for Kennedy Agyapong for life”
2. Dr. Bryan Acheampong
On the second spot is former Minister for Food and Agriculture, and MP for Abetifi, Dr. Bryan Acheampong. Although taking part in the NPP’s flagbearership race for the first time, he remains resolute in his bid.
“So often somebody must step up with a good heart, with discipline, and the character to lead us. And when that time comes, one of us must step up and this is my time”
3. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Occupying the number three spot on the ballot is two term Former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. He is no stranger to the contest, having won it in 2023 ahead of the 2024 general election. He has been rallying delegates to keep him as the face of the party, promising a rebuilding agenda aimed at regaining the trust of Ghanaians.
“I am committed to rebuilding the party and working to ensure the party wins back the trust of Ghana.”
4. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum
Another first-time contender in the flagbearership race is MP for Bosomtwi and Former Minister of Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, who is at number 4. He is widely recognized for his performance in the education sector, which he hopes to leverage to transform Ghana.
”Go and look at all the countries that have transformed their fortunes. None of them did it without education, so that is a big plus for Dr. Adutwum. But I will also have to move on and look at how to develop the economy”
5. Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong
Occupying the fifth position on the ballot is former Presidential Press Secretary and a former NPP General Secretary, Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, who is promising to redefine the party and Ghana in general.
“This election is not just about selecting a leader, it’s about redefining the very soul of our tradition, the NPP. I think it’s very important that as Ghanaians, we know that we are working together as one, all for one and one for all”
Opinion polls
Ahead of the presidential primary, different opinion polls have been projecting the standings of the various candidates. Global InfoAnalytics projects Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the winner. The Executive Director, Musah Danquah, says this is backed by strong data.
“I have done this work long enough, when I’m not certain about data, I caution it. The last time I cautioned the data was Assin North”
Unfavoured Candidates
As opinion polls point to preferred candidates, others trailing in the projections say the race is far from over, pressing on with their campaigns. For Bryan Acheampong, some of the polls are sponsored, insisting that the true picture will only emerge after the January 31 polls.
“I don’t intend to sponsor polls in my favor. I think that the polls are on the grounds the day of the election, January 31st, we will all see what the real polls look like”
Kwabena Agyei Agyepong has also weighed in on the trend, expressing the view that such polls are designed to advance a particular agenda. He maintains that he will place among the top two candidates, forcing the contest into a second round.
“I don’t care what these polls say. It is all being organized to try and create a two horse race. I’m hopeful that I’ll be one of the top two and that the election will go into the second round”
Divinity in election
Aside from the election polls, another notable development ahead of the NPP’s flagbearership race is the growing influence of spiritual counsel, with predictions emerging in favour of some particular candidates.
But for someone who relies on scientific data to project winners of an election, what does Musah Danquah of Global InfoAnalytics think of spiritual predictions in elections?
“There are those who follow prophesies all the time leaving science, but at the end of the day, science always prevails because it is the same God who gave human beings the mind and knowledge to develop science. So I believe that science will prevail”
Conclusion
NPP’s internal elections have always been keenly contested, with the support base of candidates going all out for their favourites. As the five candidates battle it out on Saturday, January 31, 2026, will the saying fear delegates replay? Well it is a good time to pause and wish the five candidates good luck.
