Former Energy Minister Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko has formally filed his nomination to contest the National Chairmanship of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), pledging to rebuild the party’s structures, strengthen accountability and restore its electoral fortunes.
Mr Agyarko filed his nomination forms at the NPP’s National Headquarters in Accra on Wednesday. The forms were purchased and presented by more than 50 constituency chairpersons, an act he described as an instruction from the grassroots for him to lead the party’s restoration.
Addressing more than 600 delegates and about 2,000 party supporters drawn from all 16 regions, Mr Agyarko acknowledged the NPP’s declining parliamentary strength and electoral performance in recent years.
He cited the party’s reduction in parliamentary seats from 169 in 2016 to 137 in 2020 and 88 currently. He also pointed to a loss of more than two million presidential votes between the 2020 and 2024 elections, based on Electoral Commission figures.
Mr Agyarko said his experience in institutional leadership, including 22 years in global leadership at the Bank of New York, as well as his involvement in the NPP’s structures in North America, his role as Campaign Manager in 2012 and service as Energy Minister, had prepared him for the chairmanship.
He described himself as a “safe and fair referee” and said he was seeking the position as a job rather than a political career.
“A Chairman who wants nothing further for himself can afford to be fair to everybody,” he said.
Mr Agyarko pledged his loyalty to the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, while promising to remain neutral in other internal contests within the party.
Five-point agenda
The former minister outlined a five-point agenda for his proposed tenure as National Chairman.
He promised to establish a credible membership register within one year in preparation for the proposed “One Man, One Vote” system.
He also pledged to introduce annual audited accounts of the party to promote transparency and accountability.
On reconciliation, Mr Agyarko said he would personally visit members who had been wounded or alienated by internal disputes, with the aim of bringing them back into the party.
He further promised to improve the party’s operational capacity by ensuring it had the necessary infrastructure and resources, while making members’ welfare a priority, particularly during periods of difficulty.
Mr Agyarko said his ultimate objective was what he termed “Operation One Touch” — a strategy aimed at securing victory for Dr Bawumia in the 2028 presidential election while restoring a decisive NPP majority in Parliament.
“Elect me as your National Chairman to make Dr Bawumia the President in 2028, and Insha Allah, the NPP shall rise again,” he said.
His nomination adds to the contest for the leadership of the NPP as the party seeks to reorganise its structures and recover from its electoral setbacks ahead of the 2028 general election.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
