The flagbearer aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have pledged to focus on issue-based campaigning, mutual respect, and the preservation of party unity as the race to succeed former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo intensifies.
The commitment was made at a crucial meeting convened by the NPP’s National Council of Elders on September 11, 2025, to ensure discipline and harmony ahead of the party’s presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, 2026.
Elders push for discipline and respect
At the meeting, the Council of Elders underscored the need for aspirants to avoid personality attacks, inflammatory rhetoric, or divisive tactics.
Instead, they were urged to anchor their campaigns on proven track records, policies, and credible future plans for the nation.
To safeguard unity, an Ad Hoc Committee has been set up to receive petitions and address concerns from aspirants, particularly those relating to denigrating remarks or actions that could tarnish the party’s image.
Aspirants respond to call
The four leading aspirants—Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Bryan Acheampong, and former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum—all reaffirmed their dedication to maintaining peace and discipline throughout the campaign.
Mr. Agyapong and Dr. Adutwum were physically present at the meeting, while Dr. Bawumia joined via Zoom.
Dr. Acheampong was represented by Asante-Akim North MP Andy Appiah-Kubi.
According to the Council, all aspirants will be expected to uphold the values of “discipline, mutual respect, and unity” in both their words and actions.
Party unity at stake
With the stakes high in the upcoming primaries, the Council of Elders stressed that unity will be the party’s greatest asset going into the 2028 general elections.
Any cracks, they warned, could weaken the NPP’s chances of retaining power.
The Elders promised to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants, while also acting swiftly against any conduct likely to bring the party into disrepute.
As the race heats up, the pledge from aspirants suggests a conscious effort to avoid the bitter internal wrangling that has in the past left ruling parties weakened ahead of national polls.
