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The recent Delegates Conference of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) held on July 19 at the University of Ghana Stadium has ignited significant controversy within the ranks of the party, particularly amidst supporters of Kennedy Agyapong, a key contender for the flagbearership. Prominent members of Agyapong's campaign team have expressed deep concerns regarding what they characterize as orchestrated optics favoring the former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the race for the party's presidential nomination.
In an assertive statement released by Kwasi Kwarteng, the spokesperson for Agyapong’s campaign team, he highlighted what he deemed a meticulously crafted strategy aimed at granting Bawumia an undue edge in the competition for the party's leadership. Kwarteng pointedly noted that aside from Dr. Bawumia, no other flagbearer aspirant was afforded the opportunity to access the inner perimeter of the stadium, where engaging and waving at delegates could leave a lasting impression. “This selective access, which was prominently recorded and disseminated, fosters a skewed and obviously engineered perception of overwhelming support for the former Vice President,” Kwarteng stated.
The spokesperson further remarked that true insight into the sentiments of the party’s grassroots membership could only be accurately gauged at the outer perimeter of the venue. This area enabled all other candidates, including Agyapong, to interact with delegates on a more equitable basis. “To gain a clear understanding of where the grassroots loyalty truly lies, we have to focus our observations on the outer perimeter,” Kwarteng emphasized. He invited interested parties to compare the footage of Agyapong’s entrance to that of Dr. Bawumia, as he believes it would underscore his argument regarding the fundamentally different experiences of the candidates.
Kwarteng's assertions extend beyond issues of optics; he underscored a more profound concern regarding organizational strategies within the NPP. He suggested that the persistent attempts by the event's organizers to publicize Bawumia's candidacy betrays a failure to heed critical lessons from the party's previous electoral failures, particularly the unexpected defeat in the 2024 general elections. Kwarteng described the situation as a regrettable repetition of past errors, emphasizing that the artificial framing of endorsements and support at the conference bears striking resemblance to the pitfalls that had contributed to the NPP's surprising loss during the previous electoral cycle.
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“This is a pattern that we are repeating,” he asserted, urging party members to reassess how they approach the upcoming election. “If we are not learning from our past mistakes, perhaps it is time we enroll in a course at the Patriotic Institute,” he quipped, suggesting a need for introspection within the party.
Kwarteng and his team have also urged delegates to move beyond what they have dubbed “stage-managed spectacles.” They are advocating for what they describe as genuine transformation rather than adhering to a narrative imposed by party leadership. “The focus for 2028 should be on securing electoral victory, not on scripted endorsements masquerading as grassroots support,” the statement concluded, reinforcing Agyapong's commitment to intensifying his campaign as the NPP prepares for the pivotal 2026 primaries.
The Delegates Conference was a high-profile gathering, attracting thousands of loyal party members, regional and national executives, former appointees, and prospective presidential candidates. As the NPP gears up for a critical internal election aimed at selecting a new leader to navigate the party through the 2028 general elections, the atmosphere remains charged with political rivalry and fervor.
While Dr. Bawumia’s presence at the conference garnered visible enthusiasm and extensive media coverage, reactions from competing factions indicate that the contest for the NPP flagbearer remains highly competitive. This ongoing tension underscores the vital nature of the upcoming elections, as various camps within the party seek to assert their influence and secure their preferred candidates’ positions ahead of what is expected to be a closely contested race.
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