A group of New Patriotic Party (NPP) youth organizers in the Ashanti Region have openly declared their opposition to the presidential ambitions of the former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, describing his candidacy as divisive and detrimental to party unity ahead of the 2028 general elections.
At a press conference in Kumasi, the group – comprising 62 of 94 incumbent constituency youth organizers and deputies, along with 34 former youth organizers – announced their decision to rally behind the former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, citing integrity, humility, and competence as his defining leadership qualities.
The statement, delivered on behalf of the group, accused Dr. Acheampong of “conduct and utterances inconsistent with the NPP’s democratic values and traditions.”
According to the youth organizers, their opposition to Dr. Acheampong stems from three main concerns: conflict of interest, poor performance in the agricultural sector, and what they described as undemocratic public statements.
In their statement, they referred to Dr. Acheampong’s involvement in the controversial attempt to acquire majority shares in the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels while serving as a minister of state. The group noted that this move “angered millions of SSNIT contributors,” and contributed to the loss of public confidence that cost the NPP votes in the 2024 general elections.
“Dr. Bryan Acheampong’s attempt to buy SSNIT hotels while serving as a cabinet minister was a serious breach of public trust. Such actions undermine the moral credibility of our party and contradict the values we claim to uphold”
Ashanti Region NPP Youth Organizers
Performance Questioned
The group further criticized Dr. Acheampong’s stewardship at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, alleging mismanagement that disrupted the timely distribution of fertilizers and farming inputs across several regions.
They contended that his leadership failures crippled key programmes under the “Planting for Food and Jobs,” initiative, which had previously been a flagship policy for rural livelihoods and food security.
“The ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ programme lost its effectiveness under his watch. Instead of taking responsibility, he resorted to blaming hardworking party members, a trait unbecoming of anyone seeking to lead the NPP”
Ashanti Region NPP Youth Organizers
According to the group, farmers in the Northern, Savannah, Ashanti, and Bono Regions suffered from supply delays, adding that the former Minister’s habit of “shifting blame” onto MPs and local government officials only deepened internal divisions.
The youth organizers also revisited Dr. Acheampong’s 2024 campaign statement that the NPP “would not hand over power,” describing it as “reckless, irresponsible, and dangerously undemocratic.”
They argued that the comment tainted the party’s democratic reputation and provided ammunition for critics and opposition who questioned the NPP’s commitment to constitutional governance. “Those words were damaging and unnecessary,” the statement said. “They painted the NPP as intolerant, and we cannot afford such leadership at this stage of our political renewal.”
Support for Dr. Bawumia
Declaring their loyalty to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the youth leaders described him as “the right man to rebuild the NPP’s credibility and reconnect the party with ordinary Ghanaians.” They said his record of public service stood in sharp contrast to what they called “the arrogance and controversy,” surrounding Dr. Acheampong’s campaign.
“Dr. Bawumia exemplifies integrity, humility, competence, and inclusiveness. He is a leader of peace, intellect, and charisma, and we believe he represents the best chance for the NPP to renew itself and lead Ghana forward”
Ashanti Region NPP Youth Organizers
Out of 94 incumbent youth organizers in the Ashanti Region, 62 endorsed Dr. Bawumia’s flagbearer bid, 10 remained undecided, while 34 former youth organizers also pledged their support for him.
The group appealed to the National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council of the party to carefully consider their concerns, warning that ignoring the growing discontent could have far-reaching consequences for the NPP’s unity.
They cautioned against “rewarding controversy with elevation,” adding that leadership must be built on integrity and service, not opportunism and division. “Our next leader must be clean, unifying, democratic, and empathetic. Sadly, Dr. Bryan Acheampong’s actions, utterances, and priorities reflect the opposite,” the group concluded.
The statement reaffirmed their unwavering loyalty to the NPP and pledged to continue advocating for leadership that embodies the values of honesty, humility, and integrity – qualities they say are essential to restoring the party’s image and winning back public trust.
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