The New Patriotic Party commenced its highly anticipated vetting process for presidential aspirants today at the party’s Adabraka headquarters in Accra, marking a critical milestone in the race to select the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 elections.
The exercise began on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, under the supervision of a committee chaired by Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, with the presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, 2026.
Five candidates have filed to contest for the flagbearership, including Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who represented the party as flagbearer in the 2024 general election. The other aspirants are Ing.
Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Ken Ohene Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, and Dr. Yaw Adutwum, each bringing distinct perspectives and backgrounds to the contest.
Dr. Bawumia, the former vice president, enters the race as a familiar figure to party members, having previously secured the party’s nomination and led the NPP in the 2024 general elections.
His extensive experience in economic policy and his role in the Akufo-Addo administration positions him as a continuity candidate seeking to build on the party’s previous governance record.
Kennedy Agyapong, the outspoken Assin Central MP, represents a more combative approach to politics and has been vocal about his vision for the party’s future direction.
Recent polling data indicates that while Bawumia maintains significant support, Kennedy Agyapong follows with 17 percent, while Dr. Bryan Acheampong and Dr. Yaw Adutwum trail with three and one percent, respectively. His candidacy brings a populist energy that has resonated with certain segments of the party’s base.
The vetting process comes at a crucial juncture for the NPP, which is seeking to regroup after its defeat in the 2024 elections.
The Vetting Committee is chaired by former Defense Minister Dr.
Kwame Addo-Kufuor, with an Elections Committee led by former Joseph Osei-Owusu, former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
This leadership structure reflects the party’s commitment to ensuring a thorough and credible selection process.
The contest has not been without controversy, as aspirants have engaged in spirited debates about the party’s future direction.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has urged aspirants to eschew insults and foster unity to safeguard the party’s cohesion, warning that divisive rhetoric could weaken the party ahead of the 2028 elections.
These concerns underscore the delicate balance the party must strike between healthy competition and maintaining unity.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong and Dr. Yaw Adutwum, though polling lower in early assessments, brings technocratic credentials that could appeal to voters seeking fresh leadership.
Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong’s inclusion adds another dimension to the race, with his previous experience in party leadership potentially offering institutional continuity.
Aspirants who are dissatisfied with vetting outcomes have a 48-hour window to appeal, ensuring due process in the selection mechanism.
The vetting committee’s composition includes notable party figures such as Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Elizabeth Ohene, Frank Davies, and Evans Nimako as secretary, lending credibility to the exercise.
As the NPP navigates this critical period, the vetting process serves as more than just a procedural requirement—it represents the party’s opportunity to present a united front and chart a clear path toward reclaiming political power in 2028.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
