The members of the New Patriotic Party and the Party’s delegates in particular, must note that their presidential primaries slated for 31st January 2026, is a contest to elect a Flagbearer for the December 2028 general elections, and not a contest to elect the Party’s National Chairman or General Secretary.
It is, therefore, imperative for the delegates to elect a candidate whom a greater section of Ghanaians will trust and would be convinced to vote for.
It is an undeniable fact that trivialities such as ethnicity, tribe and religion, play a greater role in politics in Ghana. Whoever denies this, is just being politically dishonest.
At least, one of the pointers should favour a would-be Flagbearer. In addition to the aforementioned points, one major question that electorates ask is, who can best manage the economy?
The Ghanaian electorates consider which candidate has credibility and deserves their trust to manage, particularly, the economy of Ghana.
At the moment, in the minds of many Ghanaians, the NPP’s Flagbearer for the 2024 election, Dr. Bawumia, does not appear credible to manage Ghana’s economy. That is not to say Dr. Bawumia is incompetent to manage the economy.
But the economic performance of the erstwhile Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, dented his image as an “economic Messiah.” The release of the dollar from the “custody of the IGP”, shattered Ghanaians trust for and hope in Dr. Bawumia, and it would be suicidal for the NPP to present him as the Party’s candidate for the 2028 general elections.
None of the odds (ethnicity/tribe, religion, and trust) favours Dr. Bawumia. This is a painful fact that the New Patriotic Party cannot just wish away.
Considering that the Mahama-led NDC government has artificially succeeded in managing the Cedi, therefore, giving hopes to Ghanaians that the NDC can better manage the economy, the key questions to ask are:
1. What will be Dr. Bawumia’s message to Ghanaians, that will make him look more capable to better manage the Ghanaian economy?
2. Can Dr. Bawumia talk about economic management in Ghana again? 3. Can he set economic questions for his main contender, as he did for the late Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur?
4. Above all, Dr. Bawumia promised the NPP delegates in 2023 that if he becomes the Flagbearer of the party, he will bring the Northern and Muslim votes. The 2024 elections proved otherwise. Will he get their votes in 2028? What will change?
The NPP delegates should know that the 31st January elections will determine the future of the party, as to whether the NPP will be reresuscitated to its previous life and strength, and compete effectively in 2028, as it used to, or whether we will bid a longterm farewell to the great Elephant. Certainly, the defeat in 2024, was the most humiliating electoral defeat ever suffered by the party under the 4th Republic.
Out of the five (5) electoral defeats to the NPP since 1992, with the exception of 2024, the party lost the other four (4) with an increase in popular votes.
Yes! President Kuffour, after losing the 1996 elections, was given another chance because his votes appreciated compared to the votes garnered by Professor Adu Boahen in 1992.
Similarly, Nana Akufo-Addo was given a second chance in 2012 because the votes he obtained in 2008 surpassed what President Kuffour got in 2004.
Further, Nana AkufoAddo was given a third chance because in 2012, his votes appreciated again. Contrary, in 2024, under the steermanship of Dr. Alhaji Bawumia, the NPP lost by a decrease in popular votes of over 1.7 million, despite the EC registering an additional 2 million voters.
This performance was exceptionally abysmal. Compared to his predecessors, the 2024 defeat suggests that Dr. Bawumia is not marketable, after being marketed for sixteen (16) years as running mate and Vice President.
The NPP will, therefore, need a new and a marketable candidate for election 2028. It was a big mistake for the NPP to have elected Bawumia for the 2024 elections and the party’s votes will decline further if he is elected again to lead the party for the 2028elections.
They should not gamble with the future of the NPP, it will serve them good to make the right choice this time on 31st January 2026.
I have no doubt in my mind that, this is exactly what Musah Dankwa tried to sum up to the NPP by saying that, it will serve the interest of the NPP if Dr. Bawumia opts out of the NPP presidential race.
But since he will not opt out, the onus lies on delegates to safeguard the NPP from absolute collapse! You have a political duty to save the elephant now!
Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka
Political Scientist Califonia, USA.
