The writer
Doubtless by now, as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) finalises preparations for the January 31 ultimate party ‘job interview’ to choose its 2028 Presidential Candidate, most delegates know their choice.
Or, at least they, a silent interview panel of thousands, will know who they will not vote for in this historic January 31, 2026 presidential primary. It has always seemed to me that in elections, the easier part is deciding who one will not vote for!
The five NPP flagbearer aspirants, for one of whom January 31 will be a destiny date, are, in order of appearance on the ballot paper:
- Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a former Member of Parliament for Assin Central;
- Dr. Bryan Acheampong, a former Minister of Food and Agriculture;
- Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice-President;
- Dr. Yaw Adu Twum, a former Minister of Education; and,
- Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former General Secretary of the NPP.
At the NPP National Delegates Conference in July, 2025, the party amended its constitution to expand the Electoral College significantly, thus it now includes: former constituency, regional and national executives; former Members of Parliament; and former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives. But there will be no proxy voting.
(Graphic Online, December 19, 2025): On December 19, 2025, the party’s Presidential Elections Committee (PEC), chaired by former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, announced that over 200, 000 delegates will vote in the election, (at polling centres nationwide); and only delegates physically present at polling centres would be allowed to vote.
Undoubtedly, all the five have their particular strengths.
Thus, it can be imagined that some delegates might have difficulty making up their minds as to which of the five aspirants to vote for, who can beat the candidate who will be presented by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC); crucially, which of the five the country would want to be their President.
However, as in any contest, there is always a ‘first among equals’.
And I believe that the delegates know the special skills – and weaknesses – of the aspirants. Furthermore, evidently, in any job interview, what the appointing authority or interview panel mainly looks for are EXPERIENCE, qualifications, competence, innovativeness and foresight to handle the position.
I’m only an observer of the political landscape, but I’m convinced that what I wrote in 2023 about now aspirant Number 3, Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, still holds good.
In an article ahead of the NPP’s last presidential primary, published on November 1, 2023, under the headline “My random musings: if I were an NPP delegate for November 4 …”, I wrote:
“If I were a delegate, I would want to help choose a candidate whose capability, qualifications and demeanour will appeal to the Ghanaian electorate.
“An economist and banker, Dr. Bawumia’s passion for technology, has led to accusations and derisive comments that although he chairs the Economic Management Team, he has run away from solving Ghana’s economic problems, and instead turned into an Information Technology expert. His response is that digitalisation is a sure strategy to tackle corruption and boost the economy.”
Unquestionably, today nobody can doubt the importance of digitalisation in every aspect of life, another demonstration of Dr. Bawumia’s visionary qualities.
To me Ghana needs a leader who can build effectively on the countless, innovative pragmatic measures introduced by the NPP under President J.A. Kufuor and President Nana Akufo-Addo.
On the eve of the 2024 general election, in an article reflecting on “a choice between a ‘reset’ (the slogan of then candidate John Mahama) and Bawumia’s ‘upgrade’ slogan, I stated that I would “choose an upgrade any day”.
Obviously, none of the party’s leaders can show a preference for any of the five. But I recall that I quoted former President J. A. Kufuor’s memorable description of Bawumia as “Ghana’s man of destiny.”
For his part, at a December 2024 meeting with the Trades Union Congress, President Nana Akufo-Addo described Dr. Bawumia as “the most prepared individual to assume the highest office”. He “credited his Vice President as the originator of pivotal policies, such as Agenda 111, which seeks to construct hospitals across all the 16 regions of the country.”
Again, from all indications, what I wrote about Dr Bawumia in 2023, remains valid. And the confidence reposed in him as the most viable NPP presidential aspirant for 2028 has been confirmed by an impressive number of the NPP’s past and current legislators, those who know all the five aspirants.
Last week, 118 former NPP parliamentary candidates in the 2024 election declared their dedicated support for Dr. Bawumia to become the NPP’s 2028 flagbearer. They see Dr. Bawumia as “the most prepared, formidable, and winnable candidate” to lead the NPP into the 2028 general election, as it seeks to regain political power.
Addressing journalists at the International Press Centre in Accra on January 8, the leader of the group and former Deputy Minister for Energy, Andrew Agyapa Mercer, said the endorsement followed a careful scrutiny of all the five candidates contesting, and they came to the conclusion that the former Vice President stood out.
“This decision is rooted in sober reflection and a deep sense of duty to the NPP and to Ghana,” he added.
The group further described Dr. Bawumia as a visionary leader who has demonstrated competence, integrity, humility, and an unmatched commitment to Ghana’s development.
“His contributions to digitalisation, macroeconomic interventions and infrastructure projects like Agenda 111 show clearly that he is the most consequential Vice President in the Fourth Republic. None of the other aspirants matches his combined experience, intellect and readiness to lead,” Mr. Mercer said (Daily Guide, January 12, 2026).
Earlier there had been a similar endorsement by 61 NPP Members of Parliament.
Unity in the NPP and a unified country must be under consideration by the delegates. With Dr. Bawumia’s background, and his sustained, well documented efforts to reach out to all segments of the society, his credentials as a unifier are not in doubt.
It’s interesting that he had a part Christian upbringing; courtesy of his link with the Methodist Church, including membership of the church’s Boys Brigade, before his mother, a Methodist, converted to the Muslim faith of her husband. Obviously, this unmatched background would facilitate a role for him as a bridge between the two faiths.
Yet, it is alleged that some religious leaders have been leading a campaign that Dr. Bawumia, shouldn’t be President because he is a Muslim!
But, as I have asked before, has the religion of any Ghanaian President been an issue before? Has any Ghanaian President attempted to convert the populace to his religion? Does the country’s Constitution give a President that power?
Did Dr. Bawumia’s religion stop him from initiating and implementing his many innovations, some listed by the MPs, making a huge impact on the national development agenda? Shouldn’t the concern be rather about competence, vision, innovation, and demonstrated ability to move the country forward?
Certainly, I would be thinking along those lines if I were an NPP delegate for January 31.
On his current thinking, recently, Dr. Bawumia, outlined a comprehensive plan to revitalise the party, pledging to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures and ensure greater inclusivity. It focuses on five key areas aimed at deepening internal cohesion and improving electoral outcomes.
Addressing party delegates in the Oti Region, he announced a “new deal for the NPP grassroots,” anchored on empowerment, transparency and equitable participation. (Graphic Online, November 19, 2025)
Now, in 2026, I’m even more convinced that Dr. Bawumia is indeed “the total package.” And his wife, elegant Samira, has proved to be a phenomenal, eloquent campaigner for the NPP.
Even if I were an undecided NPP delegate for January 31, still uncertain about who should pass this momentous job interview, I would be guided by the testimonials of the Members of Parliament, and former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo.
Most assuredly, they know all the five aspirants. Additionally, they know not only what their party needs in a flagbearer, but also, more importantly, who befits Adehyeman, pacesetting Ghana; and who, hopefully, the country will vote for to become President of Ghana.
That underscores my belief that if I were an NPP delegate for January 31, mine would be a Bawumia vote.
By Ajoa Yeboah-Afari