Following the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) miserable defeat in the 2024 general elections, the party has begun taking bold steps aimed at rebuilding and positioning itself for a comeback in the 2028 polls.
One of the most noteworthy decisions has been the early endorsement of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2028 elections.
The move generated criticism from some political observers and party supporters, especially due to the fact that the NPP chose to settle its presidential race before electing national executives.
Many critics argued that the party should have reorganised its leadership structure first before selecting a flagbearer.
However, despite the backlash, the NPP maintains that the decision is part of a broader strategy to unite the party early and give its candidate enough time to lead preparations ahead of the next general election.
In this piece, we take a look at some of the NPP bigwigs who have officially declared their intentions to contest positions in the party’s upcoming internal elections.
NPP’s National Chairman Position
- Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi
The Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has declared his intention to contest for the NPP National Chairman position.
According to Wontumi, having consulted his Maker and sought the counsel of party elders, he has declared his intention to serve as National Chairman of the NPP.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, February 4, the Ashanti Regional Chairman stated, “Our party has faced challenges and learned hard lessons along the way. At this critical moment he NPP demands leadership that is steady, principled, and committed to unity.
A leader who is grassroots personified, who values every member from our elders to the youthfu allies, and who is willing to make the ultimate sacrifices for the party
Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), having consulted my Maker and sought the counsel of party elders, hereby declare my intention to serve as National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party. I do so not for personal ambition, but to strengthen, rebuild, and unify our great part.
The road ahead will demand vision, courage, and unwavering determination. Leadership at this moment requires bravery—the courage to stand firm, make difficult decisions, and be willing to lose everything if necessary for the NPP.
We are ready. We are organised. We are built for the battle ahead.
Together, we will restore confidence, empower our grassroots, and position the NPP to win decisively in 2028. This is our moment to rise, to lead, and to deliver for the NPP”.
Also, New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has endorsed Chairman Wontumi as the next party National Chairman.
In a viral video, Chairman Wontumi was arriving at a Bawumia’s residence where he exchanged greetings with some members of the NPP around.
Wontumi later walked inside Dr Bawumia’s residence, saying, “Your excellency, the president”.
Dr Bawumia stated, “INCOMING, how are you?”.
Wontumi responded, “Very well, my boss”.
- Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko
Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, the former Energy Minister, has officially declared his intention to contest for the NPP’s National Chairman position.
On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Mr Agyarko, in a press statement, revealed his decision.
Boakye Agyarko describe his decision to contest as a call to duty.
According to him, he had extensive consultations with family, close associates, and NPP faithful.
His statement read, “I have had consultations with members of my family and those who are very close to me, and whose lives would be most affected by the decisions I make,” he stated.
“I have also listened carefully to what the broad masses of our party people, and indeed many outside our party, are asking of me.”
“Having factored in all the considerations, I see it as my bounden duty to respond to this call to duty, and hereby announce that I will contest for the position of NATIONAL CHAIRMAN of my party upon the opening of nominations.”
- Paul Afoko
Paul Afoko, the former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has returned to the party, declaring his intention to contest for the party’s National Chairmanship position.
It will be recalled that Paul Afoko was suspended in 2015 as the NPP’s National Chairman following a decision by the party’s National Executive Committee.
In a statement, Paul Afoko wrote, “After extensive reflection and encouragement from many well-meaning members, supporters, and stakeholders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), I am honoured to formally announce my intention to contest for the position of National Chairman in the upcoming election of national officers”.
He explained, “This decision has not been taken lightly. It comes after careful consideration and in response to the consistent calls for renewed leadership rooted in the founding values and democratic ideals of our Party”.
Paul Afoko reaffirmed his loyalty to the NPP despite past challenges.
“While the journey has not been without its trials, I have always chosen to prioritise the unity and progress of the NPP above all else. My focus now, as it has always been, is on the future — one where our Party stands re-energised, inclusive, and better positioned to deliver on its promise to the Ghanaian people.”
“In the coming weeks, I will engage more broadly with Party faithful and the media to share my vision, ideas, and plans to lead the NPP with integrity, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose. Let us look ahead together.”
- John Boadu
John Boadu, a Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has also. officially declared his intention to contest the position of National Chairman.
In a statement on Saturday, November 8, John Boadu said the NPP is at a “critical crossroads” following its defeat in the last general elections, arguing that the party needs “experienced, tested, and unifying leadership” to rebuild and return to power in 2028.
John Boadu detailed that the NPP has lost touch with key stakeholder groups, including the youth, business community, the middle class, the clergy, and academia.
“Our party has drifted away from vital groups that once proudly carried the NPP flag. We cannot afford to remain in opposition for long. There is hope for restoration, but that hope rests in leadership with proven experience and the capacity to deliver results.”
“The NPP needs to be rescued,” he said.
“Power is won when the party is strong and guided by tried and tested leadership. This is not a time for experiments.”
“At this decisive moment, we cannot afford to gamble with leadership,” he said.
“The NPP needs stability, tolerance, and a results-oriented vision that will unite all factions and restore our great party to power.”
- David Kankam Boadu
David Kankam Boadu, former spokesperson for the late Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, has also declared his intention to contest for the National Chairmanship of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to him, he is an integral part of the party’s founding.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Frontline programme, described himself as the “Alpha and Omega” of the party’s founding fathers.
He claimed that he is the only aspirant with an unblemished record, adding that he possesses integrity and no dirty little secrets that could derail his campaign.
David Kankam Boadu stated, “My name cannot be excluded from the founding fathers”.
“I witnessed the foundation of the NPP. I was part of the courageous men and women who voluntarily served the party. When the NPP came to Ghana, we had no members. We were assaulted and brutalised by the NDC.
“We invested our efforts and sacrificed for the NPP, without expecting any monetary reward. Our vision was to see the NPP gain prominence,” he added.
When asked why he decided to run, he responded that the party needs a unifier.
“The party is currently at a point where it is heading for destruction,” he warned. “If we are not careful, the NPP will become like the CPP and lose its relevance. We had over 160 MPs in alignment, but today, the party has fewer than 90. We must rescue the party from destruction.”
NPP’s General Secretary position
- Justin Frimpong Kodua (incumbent)
Justin Kodua Frimpong, the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has announced his intention to contest again for the position.
JFK revealed he is seeking to continue the work he has started at the party’s secretariat.
He explained that the decision was motivated by the need to consolidate reforms and strengthen the party ahead of future electoral contests.
“I will contest again as the General Secretary of the NPP to continue the good works,” he stated.
- Ursula Owusu-Ekuful
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the former Communications Minister, has officially declared her intention to contest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) General Secretary position.
In a Facebook post on Monday, October 20, which coincided with her birthday, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful disclosed her intention.
She wrote, “Dearest Patriots, I come to you on this day of my birth with genuine regards. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since our stormy face-off with ourselves and our base.
We came out bruised, our individual and collective egos battered. We lie not in a good place. However, as our great tradition had demonstrated over the years… we will thrive”.
Her post further added, “Scathed, we refuse to be burnt, and in the unlikely circumstance that we set ourselves in a blazing inferno… we will rise. It will shape us, mould us, and like the Phoenix, we will rise and be ready”.
“This caretaker NDC government is there not just because they are preferred, they are there because they lied their way into government, amidst lofty promises, and caused belief in us to wane. But we will revive it,” she said.
- Eugene Boakye Antwi
Eugene Boakye Antwi, the former Subin MP, has also confirmed that he will contest the General Secretary position of the party.
According to Eugene Boakye Antwi, he would submit his nomination form when the party opens nominations for its national executive elections.
Speaking in an interview on UTV on Friday, April 25, 2025, Boakye Antwi
“God willing, if the party opens nominations, I will run for the General Secretary position”.
“I am interested in the NPP General Secretary position now because I won’t just manage it, but I will modernise it for the future,” he said.
He further stressed that the NPP must put its house in order to stand a chance of winning the 2028 general elections.
- Mustapha Hamid
Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has officially announced his intention to run for the NPP National Vice Chair position.
The former NPA CEO highlighted that the decision follows persistent calls from the rank and file of the party urging him to contest.
According to Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, his ambition is not driven by personal gain.
Dr Abdul-Hamid, in his statement, further traced his long-standing involvement with the NPP to its formative years.
In a press statement to party faithful, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid stated, “In the past few days, there have been persistent calls for me to run for office as a national executive member of our great party. The rank and file have sent out a clarion call to me, to place my experience, institutional memory and strategic insight at the disposal of our collective revival. I have listened
Therefore, I hereby formally announce my decision to vie for the position of National Vice Chairman when nominations open.
This is not an ambition born of personal gain, but a desire to give back to the party what it has invested in me. Under the tutelage of the late Lawyer J.K B. Spio, I was a founding member of the UCC branch of the NPP in 192. I was present at Victoria Park in Cape Coast when we lit a bonfire to signal the transition from Danquah-Busia Club to New Patriotic Party (NPP) on 18th May 1992. I ran for National Organiser in 2001 and lost. I was the first elected National Youth Organiser of the party. I ran for General Secretary in 2005 and lost. I served as Spokesperson for Candidate Akufo-Addo for 10 years. I served as Deputy National Campaign Manager for the party in the 2020 election. I have been forged in the fire of battle. I have won some and lost some. I have the scars to show.
I am a scholar in the true sense of the word. I believe I have enough intellectual firepower to give covering fire to whoever will be elected as chairman.
Together, we shall re-strategise, rebuild and reorganise and return this party to its rightful place in leadership. The battle to recover our nation begins from within. Victoria Ascerta”.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has unveiled a comprehensive reorganisation roadmap, including timelines and filing fees for aspirants contesting its internal positions in the 2026 elections.
Filing Fees for the National chairmanship have been pegged at GH¢50,000, Vice Chairmanship at GH¢30,000, and the General Secretary position at GH¢25,000.
All other national positions will cost GH¢10,000.
Also, at the regional level, Chairmanship forms will sell for GH¢10,000, Vice Chairmanship for GH¢8,000, and other positions for GH¢5,000.
The NPP national executive elections are slated for September 18 to September 20, 2026.