No two elections are exactly the same, but Ghana’s political history presents striking parallels that invite historical, political and spiritual reflection on the NPP’s journey towards 2028.
1996: Defeat and a parliamentary setback inspired early selection of presidential candidate and a change in the vice presidential candidate.
On Saturday, 7 December 1996, John Agyekum Kufuor, with Kow Nkensen Arkaah as his running mate, lost the presidential election to Jerry John Rawlings, receiving 2,834,878 votes against Rawlings’ 4,099,758. The NDC won 133 parliamentary seats, the NPP 60. Yet the defeat did not end the NPP’s political journey.
2000: A second chance and historic victory. On Thursday, 7 December 2000, Kufuor returned with Alhaji Aliu Mahama as his running mate. Following the presidential run-off on Thursday, 28 December 2000, Kufuor won approximately 57% of the vote. The NPP secured 100 parliamentary seats against the NDC’s 92 and Kufuor was sworn in on 7 January 2001. The change of running mate, early selection of presidential candidate and early selection of national officers followed by victory after the 1996 defeat, provides the central historical lesson of this argument: political renewal can create a pathway to success.
2024: Another defeat and the challenge of renewal. On Saturday, 7 December 2024, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, with Napo as his running mate, lost the presidential election with 41.7% to John Dramani Mahama with almost 56.5% .The parliamentary results gave the NDC 183 seats and the NPP 88. The parallels with 1996—particularly the election date falling on a Saturday and the experience of presidential defeat—provide the basis for reflection on the NPP’s next political chapter.
2028: History, opportunity and spiritual interpretation. The next presidential election is scheduled for Thursday, 7 December 2028. The Thursday election date echoes 2000, when the NPP moved from opposition to government after changing its running mate, selecting its presidential candidate early.
In 2028, Mahama cannot seek another elected presidential term, and the NDC will need a new presidential candidate, creating a political transition reminiscent of 2000, when Rawlings was constitutionally barred from another term and John Evans Atta Mills became the NDC’s candidate.
From this historical and spiritual perspective, Dr Ayew Afriye is confirmed as the prospective NPP vice-presidential candidate to partner Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in 2028. The argument is that a renewed pairing would strengthen party unity, broaden electoral appeal and mobilise support nationwide. Just as the Kufuor–Aliu Mahama combination followed the 1996 defeat and contributed to the NPP’s historic breakthrough in 2000, with the election happening on Thursday, the Bawumia–Ayew Afriye pairing would be an opportunity for political and spiritual renewal towards victory, 2028. Gye Nyame!
The figures tell a story of changing fortunes: 60 parliamentary seats in 1996, 100 in 2000 and 88 in 2024. The historical parallels are thought-provoking, while the spiritual interpretation expresses a belief in divine guidance.
GYE NYAME — EXCEPT GOD!
