The aspirants holding hands in unity after signing the peace pact
The five flagbearer aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have committed to a peaceful conduct before during and after the presidential primary on January 31, 2026.
The aspirants, Kennedy Agyapong – Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Dr. Bryan Acheampong – MP for Abetifi and former Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia – Former Vice President, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum – Former Minister of Education and Kwabena Agyepong – Former Presidential Press Secretary and NPP General Secretary, were all present at the ceremony.
The pact demands of the aspirants to agree to acknowledge that the process was conducted in line with the principles of transparency, fairness and inclusivity. It also requires them to accept that they were all afforded full and equal opportunities to participate at every stage of the process.
By signing the peace pact, the aspirants also pledged to accept the outcome as a valid, authentic, and binding expression of the will of the delegates and the collective decision of the party while their witnesses were also made to sign.
Aspirants were further asked to commit to diligently and conscientiously work to support the winner of the NPP’s primary and in securing a sweeping or working majority in the next parliament of the country.
“Promotion of peace and cohesion. We pledge to work together to maintain peace and cohesion within the party before during and after the primary. We will refrain from engaging in any actions or rhetoric that may disrupt party unity,” parts of the document read.
It further added, “Any disputes or violations of this MOU will be subject to resolution within the party’s established internal dispute resolution mechanisms in accordance with the party’s constitution. This MOU shall be in effect from the date of signing until after the 2028 general election.”
Present at the signing ceremony were former President Nana Akufo-Addo, former Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, members of the NPP National Council of Elders, the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, National Executives of the party, representatives of the National Peace Council as well as former Members of Parliament.
Binding Act
Chairman of the Presidential Election Committee, Joseph Osei Owusu, who led the aspirants through the affirmation document, said the peace pact would help build sufficient confidence among party members, which will enable them to freely campaign and vote for candidates of their choice.
He said, “Our faith and prayer is that this pact will be taken seriously as a binding act between them, the team of aspirants I call saints, the party and at the end of it all, the New Patriotic Party will come out of this stronger and ready to face the 2028 general election.”
Acting Chairman of the NPP, Danquah Smith Buttey, in his remarks described the event as a testament to the New Patriotic Party’s enduring commitment to democratic governance, internal reform, and the values that have long guided the party.
He said former President John Agyekum Kufuor and President Nana Akufo-Addo once contested against each other but later worked together, serving successfully as Presidents in the history of the country.
He noted that this example should inspire the current aspirants to offer their full support to whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer when the party goes to the polls in less than two weeks to elect its presidential candidate for the 2028 general election.
He, therefore, urged all stakeholders to be patient and allow the Presidential Election Committee, the police, the Electoral Commission (EC) to complete the final phase of the process.
The Acting chairman further called on the aspirants to put the party’s interest first above all individual interests while commending the Presidential Election Committee for the work done so far in the interest of the party.
Chairman of the National Council of Elders, Hackman Owusu Agyemang, noted that elections are emotional events which inflame passions especially after the declaration of results.
He emphasised that the peace, stability, and cohesion of the party largely depend on how the candidates conduct themselves.
Mr. Owusu Agyemang, therefore, appealed to all aspirants to have absolute confidence in the Presidential Election Committee and the established institutions, including the Ghana Police Service stating that there was no need for private security arrangements.
He also cautioned aspirants who have groups that have plans to cause disturbances to ‘dismantle the groups immediately’, noting that the party has conducted peaceful elections from 1992 to date.
He further appealed to the aspirants to refrain from making accusations against the committee and the party after the elections, warning that such actions could undermine confidence in the party and erode the unity it has built over the years.
He stressed that leadership demands responsibility, restraint, and a commitment to the greater good of the party indicating that the signing ceremony and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were not mere formalities, but represent a solemn pledge by the aspirants to place the party above individual ambition.
A representative of the National Peace Council, Nana Effah-Apenteng, the Paramount Chief of Bompata in the Ashanti Region, commended the party for taking the step to ensure peace before, during and after the flagbearer primary.
He said the National Peace Council is hopeful that the NPP will contribute to building an internally strong foundation of trust and confidence in a system that will leave an indelible mark in the country’s democratic process.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah