Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been officially declared the flagbearer elect of the New Patriotic Party following a decisive victory in the party’s presidential primaries held on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The outcome positions him as the party’s candidate for the 2028 general elections as the NPP seeks to return to power.
Dr Bawumia secured 110,645 votes, representing 56.48 percent of the total valid votes cast, comfortably crossing the majority threshold required to clinch the contest outright.
His closest challenger, businessman and former Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, placed second with 46,554 votes, accounting for 23.76 percent. Former Minister for Food and Agriculture and MP for Abetifi Dr Bryan Acheampong, followed in third position with 36,303 votes, representing 18.53 percent of the votes.
The remaining contenders trailed far behind. Former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum polled 1,999 votes, representing 1.02 percent, while former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyapong finished fifth with 402 votes, or 0.21 percent. The results underscored Dr Bawumia’s strong support base among party delegates nationwide.
The official declaration was made by Electoral Commission officials at the party’s headquarters in Accra after the successful collation of results from constituencies across the country.
Party executives and supporters gathered at the headquarters to witness the announcement, which brought to a close months of internal campaigning and debate within the governing party. More than 211,000 delegates participated in the primaries, casting their ballots at over 300 polling centres nationwide.
A Keen Contest
Party officials described the exercise as keenly contested but largely peaceful, reflecting what they said was the growing maturity of internal democratic processes within the NPP. Voting took place across all 16 regions, with delegates drawn from the party’s structures at the constituency, regional, and national levels.
Dr Bawumia entered the race as one of the leading contenders, drawing on his previous experience as Vice President and his long association with the party’s economic and digitalisation agenda.
Throughout the campaign, he highlighted his role in key government initiatives, presenting himself as a steady and experienced hand capable of leading the party into the next electoral cycle.
The contest brought together a diverse field of aspirants with varied political and professional backgrounds. Kennedy Agyapong ran on a platform that emphasized grassroots mobilisation and blunt political messaging, appealing to delegates who favoured a more confrontational style.
Dr Bryan Acheampong focused on his experience in both government and business, while Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum campaigned on his record in education reform. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong drew on his history within the party’s organisational structures and his long-standing involvement in party building.
Despite the competitive nature of the race, the primaries were generally marked by orderly conduct and adherence to electoral guidelines. Party leaders commended delegates for their participation and urged unity in the aftermath of the vote.
The leadership has since called on all aspirants and their supporters to rally behind the flagbearer elect as preparations begin for the 2028 national elections. Dr Bawumia’s victory signals continuity for the NPP, particularly in terms of policy orientation and leadership style.
Consolidating Support
Analysts say his clear margin of victory strengthens his mandate within the party and provides a platform to begin consolidating support across different factions. Attention is now expected to shift to how the party positions itself in opposition and how it crafts its message ahead of the next general elections.
With the primaries concluded, the New Patriotic Party has formally set the stage for its next phase of political activity. Dr Bawumia is expected to engage party stakeholders across the country, including those who supported rival candidates, as part of efforts to present a united front.
The coming months will likely focus on internal reorganisation, policy refinement, and outreach as the party works to rebuild momentum and appeal to the broader electorate.
The declaration of Dr Bawumia as flagbearer elect marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s political calendar, setting the tone for early manoeuvring ahead of the 2028 polls. For the NPP, the challenge now lies in translating internal party support into a compelling national campaign capable of winning back power.
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