Can we risk the 2028 Election as a party with ‘Bawumia’? – Kennedy Agyapong
Former Assin Central MP and 2024 NPP presidential aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to reflect deeply and learn from its past as it prepares for the 2028 general elections.
He made these remarks while speaking to party supporters at Mampong in the Ashanti Region during his visit to mourn the late Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu.
Agyapong used the opportunity to reflect on the party’s history and direction, especially regarding the selection of presidential candidates.
He called for fairness, realism, and strategic thinking in choosing the party’s next flagbearer.
To support his point, Agyapong referred to key moments in the NPP’s leadership history, citing Professor Albert Adu-Boahen, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as examples of how the party had made practical decisions in the past.
He praised Prof Adu-Boahen’s bold role in Ghana’s return to multiparty democracy.
“It was Prof Adu Boahen who had the courage to break the culture of silence during Rawlings’ era,” he said, acknowledging the professor’s influence in 1992.
He went on to note that Adu-Boahen was not given another chance after his first attempt to lead the NPP as flagbearer.
“When he attempted the NPP flagbearership once and it didn’t go well, we didn’t go with him again. We honored his legacy, but we were also realistic about our electoral prospects.
“In the 1992 Ghanaian presidential election, Professor Albert Adu Boahen faced off against incumbent Jerry John Rawlings. Despite the NPP’s allegations of electoral fraud, the Electoral Commission declared Rawlings the winner with 58.4% of the vote. The NPP responded by publishing ‘The Stolen Verdict,’ detailing alleged irregularities such as voter registry inaccuracies and ballot stuffing. This led to a boycott of the subsequent parliamentary elections by the NPP, resulting in a one-party parliament dominated by Rawlings’ National Democratic Congress (NDC). The controversy sparked reforms in Ghana’s electoral system, including the introduction of transparent ballot boxes and voter ID cards,” he recalled.
Agyapong said this example showed how seriously the NPP took electoral integrity during Ghana’s democratic transition.
He then turned to former President Kufuor, explaining why he was given another chance after losing the first time.
“Kufuor had only three to four months to campaign the first time, yet his performance was mind-boggling and encouraging. That’s why we gave him another shot.
“Kufuor’s second run paid off handsomely for the party when he won the 2000 elections, becoming Ghana’s second democratically elected president in the Fourth Republic,” he added.
About President Akufo-Addo, Agyapong said the party’s decision to let him contest three times was based on his strong performances.
“In 2008, he got 49.3%, just short of the 50% needed for a win. In 2012, when he contested again, many believe he was cheated. Yet, he respected the court’s verdict, showing leadership and maturity. His performance across all 10 regions improved each time,” Ken indicated.
He said Nana Akufo-Addo’s continued endorsement was based on electoral merit, not personal entitlement.
“We allowed Nana Addo to lead us three times because his numbers were encouraging, and he gave us hope in each election,” he stated.
Agyapong called on NPP members to think carefully about what is at stake in the 2028 elections.
“Can we risk the 2028 Election as a party? It’s time to be realistic and honest with ourselves. We can’t afford to gamble with our party’s future,” he added.
He criticised what he described as selfishness and pride among some party members, warning that such attitudes could harm the party.
“To those who are too proud to learn and only make submissions based on selfish interests, I ask: What’s more important — the party’s success or your personal ambitions?” he asked.
He ended by urging the NPP to return to its values of collective thinking and choosing leaders based on performance.
“Our party’s success is paramount. We must prioritize the NPP’s future over individual ambition. Let’s put Ghana and the NPP first,” he added.