The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is today, Saturday, January 31, holding its presidential primaries to elect a flagbearer ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Voting is currently underway nationwide, with 211,849 accredited delegates expected to participate in what party officials describe as one of the largest and most decisive internal elections in the party’s history.
Polling is taking place across all 16 regions of the country, at the NPP’s national headquarters, and at selected diaspora voting centres. The process is being conducted under tight security and strict electoral guidelines to ensure order and transparency.
The primaries follow months of intensive campaigning, policy engagements and regional tours by the aspirants, and are widely seen as a major test of the party’s internal unity and preparedness for the next national elections.
Five candidates are contesting the race to lead the NPP into the 2028 polls. They are Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and former General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.
Party leadership has consistently appealed to delegates and supporters to uphold the NPP’s values of discipline, unity and peaceful competition. They have warned against the use of private security personnel, vigilantes or any actions capable of undermining the credibility of the exercise.
The delegate list comprises members drawn from constituency, regional and national party structures, party elders and recognised external branches. The figure reflects adjustments to the register to account for deceased members and forfeitures.
Greater Accra and Ashanti regions form the largest voting blocs, followed by the Eastern, Central and Western regions, with analysts suggesting that outcomes in these areas could be crucial in determining the final result.
Voting is expected to close later this afternoon, after which ballots will be counted at the various centres before results are transmitted to the party’s national collation centre.
The eventual winner will face the immediate challenge of unifying the party, addressing internal divisions and presenting a strong national vision ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Security has been reinforced at all polling centres, with personnel from the Ghana Police Service deployed nationwide. The Electoral Commission is overseeing the process, while party observers and selected civil society organisations are monitoring proceedings to ensure transparency and credibility.
The NPP has reiterated its ban on vigilante activities, warning that any breaches of party directives will attract strict sanctions.
