Kennedy Agyapong
A recent survey conducted by Sanity Africa, a Pan-African civil society organisation, has put Kennedy Ohene Agyapong ahead of all potential candidates in the upcoming opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer race, securing 51.4% of the votes among delegates.
He is followed by former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with 42.2%, while former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, and former Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum trail with 3.1% and 3.0% respectively.
The survey, conducted between April and June 2025, assessed the voting intentions of delegates across four key demographic categories: gender, religion, age bracket, and employment status.
Regionally, Mr. Agyapong, former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, leads in 10 out of the 16 regions, while Dr. Bawumia is favoured in six. The Savannah and Upper East regions show a tight race between the two frontrunners.
In the Ashanti Region, Dr. Adutwum performed notably well, receiving 9.5%, while Dr. Acheampong’s best performance was in his home region of Eastern with 13.7%.
Gender and Religious Dynamics
In terms of gender dynamics, Dr. Bawumia leads among male delegates with 48.9%, compared to Agyapong’s 42.4%. Dr. Acheampong and Dr. Adutwum follow with 6.1% and 2.6% respectively. Conversely, Mr. Agyapong commands a significant lead among female delegates, garnering 57.8% support compared to Dr. Bawumia’s 37.1%.
On religion, 52.8% of Muslim respondents expressed support for Dr. Bawumia, while 43.1% preferred Mr. Agyapong. Among non-believers and traditionalists, Kennedy Agyapong led with 55.1% versus Dr. Bawumia’s 40.6%. Christian respondents showed a strong preference for Mr. Agyapong, with 61.6% indicating support, highlighting the role of shared faith in leadership choices.
Age-Based Trends
Age demographics reveal that Dr. Bawumia resonates more with middle-aged voters (40–55 years), leading Mr. Agyapong by over three percentage points – 49.7% to 46.3%. Among mature voters (55 years and above), Dr. Bawumia maintains a nearly 10-point lead.
However, Mr. Agyapong dominates among younger delegates under 40, with 63% support compared to Dr. Bawumia’s 33.5%. In this age group, Dr. Acheampong emerges as a distant third, while Adutwum gains less than 1% support.
Employment Status and Grassroots Support
The survey categorised employment status into four segments: full-time employed, self-employed/business people (including market women, artisans, farmers, and traders), unemployed, and students.
Among full-time employees, the report said Dr. Bawumia leads with 53.8% support, ahead of Mr. Agyapong at 41.9%. Across all employment segments, Dr. Bryan Acheampong consistently ranks third, averaging 4.3% of voter preference.
The self-employed group – including traders, market women, and artisans – strongly supports Mr. Agyapong, giving him 55.5% compared to Dr. Bawumia’s 39.5%. Kennedy Agyapong also leads decisively among students (58.9% vs. 32.7%) and the unemployed (52.8% vs. 39%).
These trends mirror the age-based analysis, where younger delegates—more likely to be students or unemployed—overwhelmingly favour Mr. Agyapong.
Broader Implications
The survey highlighted distinct demographic patterns. Dr. Bawumia’s strongholds include Muslim delegates, adult males (aged 40–55), and full-time employed voters. Mr. Agyapong, meanwhile, draws his strongest support from Christian delegates, women, youth (under 40), students, the unemployed, and the self-employed—segments often seen as the party’s grassroots and the demographic future of the country.
Mr. Agyapong’s appeal to younger and economically aspirational voters, according to the survey, may indicate a growing desire for change, fresh leadership, or a more populist direction within the NPP.
Dr. Acheampong ranks third across most categories, while Dr. Adutwum performs slightly better among older and Christian voters.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke