Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on presidential aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to conduct their campaign based on merit, integrity, and tangible contributions to the party and the nation.
He urged them to focus their messages on ideas and vision rather than personal attacks, stressing that the party’s unity and credibility must remain paramount as the NPP heads into its presidential primaries on January 31, 2026.
The former President made the call when he hosted all five NPP presidential aspirants at a private breakfast meeting at his residence in Nima, Accra, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
The gathering was part of efforts to promote understanding, mutual respect, and a healthy contest within the ruling party.
Focus on issues, not divisions
Addressing the aspirants, Nana Akufo-Addo said that while internal competition is necessary for democracy to thrive, it must be guided by respect for party traditions and the spirit of unity.
Akufo-Addo encouraged the candidates to present an issue-based campaign that articulates their visions and policy ideas to the delegates and Ghanaians at large.
“Our campaigns must reflect the maturity of our democracy and the shared values that bind us as members of the New Patriotic Party,” the former President was quoted as saying. “Let our contest be one of ideas, not divisions; of merit and service, not acrimony.”
Nana Akufo-Addo emphasised that his principal commitment, even after leaving office, remains the unity and strength of the NPP, the credibility of its internal processes, and the readiness of the party to win the 2028 general elections.
Aspirants pledge to maintain party unity
In a rare demonstration of solidarity, the five aspirants — Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong — each pledged to uphold decorum throughout their campaigns.
They assured former President Akufo-Addo that they and their campaign teams would maintain a healthy, competitive, and respectful campaign atmosphere.
The aspirants further vowed to support the eventual winner after the primaries to ensure the NPP enters the 2028 elections as a united and formidable force.
Gratitude and reflections
Former President Akufo-Addo expressed appreciation to the aspirants for honouring his invitation and for their commitment to unity.
He described their participation as a “testament to their dedication to the collective good and the future of the NPP.”
“I have worked closely with each of you and hold you in high esteem,” he said.
“Your candidacies reflect the diversity, experience, and strength of our party.
“What matters most is that we emerge from this process more united and determined than ever to continue serving the people of Ghana,” he added.
He also urged the party leadership to ensure that the upcoming primaries are credible, transparent, and peaceful, noting that only a fair process can preserve the trust and cohesion of the party’s grassroots.
Party leadership in attendance
The meeting was also attended by several key figures of the NPP, including Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Chairman of the NPP Council of Elders; Danquah Smith Buttey, Acting National Chairman; Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary; Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader; and Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, former Chief of Staff.
According to party insiders, the session — held in a cordial and reflective atmosphere — offered a platform for candid discussions about the party’s internal processes, communication strategy, and post-primary reconciliation mechanisms.
Building toward 2028
The meeting is a timely intervention by the former President to prevent the divisions that often accompany competitive primaries within the NPP.
Nana Akufo-Addo, who led the party to two consecutive electoral victories in 2016 and 2020, reminded the aspirants that the NPP’s ability to retain power in 2028 would depend on how it manages internal contests and sustains public confidence.
He reiterated his belief that a united, disciplined, and visionary NPP remains the best hope for Ghana’s continued progress.
“The Ghanaian people are watching,” he told the aspirants. “They expect from us a politics of substance, not strife; of commitment, not convenience. Let us show them that the NPP stands for leadership, service, and national renewal.”
