Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has stated emphatically that if he were a presidential candidate, he would never accept defeat in any election until the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has officially declared the full and final results.
Speaking during his campaign tour of the Savannah Region, Mr. Agyapong addressed party delegates with characteristic firmness, stressing his belief in defending the will of the people.
His remarks come amid renewed debate within the NPP about leadership direction and lessons from the party’s 2024 electoral loss to President John Dramani Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“Until the last constituency results are declared, if I am a Presidential candidate, I will never accept defeat. I will never accept defeat until the Electoral Commission comes out to declare”
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, NPP Flagbearer Hopeful
The Assin Central MP reiterated that any concession before the EC’s final declaration would be “premature and irresponsible,” as he explained that elections in Ghana’s democracy demand patience, transparency, and accountability from all stakeholders, especially candidates.
According to Mr. Agyapong, hasty admissions of defeat risk undermining party morale and could discourage vigilance among polling agents and supporters. His position, he argued, is not a rejection of democratic outcomes but a call for due process and the protection of the mandate of voters.
“I would never have accepted defeat in 2024,” he declared, referencing the NPP’s loss under Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. “If I were the candidate, I would have stood firm until the EC made its official declaration.”
Bold and Fearless Leadership
Mr. Agyapong urged delegates to elect “bold men” who can defend the party’s interests and inspire confidence among its grassroots base. He said the NPP’s next leader must embody fearlessness and resilience to restore public trust and competitiveness ahead of the 2028 general elections.
“This battle needs bold men to be solidly behind us,” he said. He criticised certain aspirants within the NPP for running personality-based campaigns instead of focusing on substantive policy issues.
In particular, he took aim at those attacking his temperament and business background rather than discussing solutions to unemployment and economic hardship. “The delegates must reject any candidate who does not talk about jobs but spends time attacking my personality – saying I am not presidential,” Mr. Agyapong said.
The outspoken MP highlighted job creation as the cornerstone of his campaign, arguing that Ghana’s next phase of development must prioritise practical measures to expand employment opportunities, especially for the youth.
He maintained that the NPP’s credibility depends on its ability to deliver tangible economic benefits rather than rhetoric.
A Competitive Race
Party insiders say Mr. Agyapong’s campaign in the Savannah Region marks a continuation of his national tour aimed at consolidating support among delegates ahead of the NPP flagbearer election.
The internal contest, scheduled for January 31, 2026, will determine who leads the opposition party into the 2028 general elections. The Electoral Commission has also set February 14, 2026, as a potential date for a run-off should no candidate secure an outright majority in the first round.
According to the New Patriotic Party, a recent balloting exercise determined the order in which aspirants will appear on the ballot paper. Mr. Agyapong drew the first slot, followed by Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.
Mr. Agyapong’s team has described the first slot as a “divine advantage,” suggesting it symbolises leadership and readiness to steer the party through a period of renewal.
Political observers note that his defiant tone may appeal to sections of the NPP base who view him as uncompromising and authentic. His message, however, also reflects broader frustration among party members over how the 2024 defeat was handled and a demand for assertive, accountable leadership.
The campaign statement by Mr. Agyapong in the Savannah Region adds to a growing list of early signals from aspirants positioning themselves for what many analysts predict will be one of the NPP’s most hotly contested internal races in years.
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