By Kwabena Adu Koranteng
Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, is set to announce his candidacy for the party’s presidential flagbearer slot, as preparations intensify for the January 2026 primaries.
Sources close to the seasoned politician say he is putting final touches to a newly established campaign headquarters in Accra. The premises are currently being branded in the party’s traditional colours, bearing the slogans “Leadership with Integrity” and “Time for Renewal,” signaling his intent to formally enter the race in the coming weeks.
Agyepong’s anticipated bid comes at a critical juncture for the NPP, which suffered its first general election defeat in over a decade in 2024. That loss ended an eight-year administration led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whose government secured two consecutive terms in 2016 and 2020 but faced mounting criticism in its second term over economic hardships, corruption allegations, and growing disaffection among the youth.
A Familiar Face, A Reformist Voice
Kwabena Agyepong is no stranger to the NPP or Ghanaian politics. He rose to prominence as Press Secretary to President John Agyekum Kufuor from 2001 to 2006, during which he became known for his calm demeanour and firm grasp of party policy. He later served as General Secretary of the NPP from 2014 until his controversial suspension in 2015, alongside then-Chairman Paul Afoko, during a turbulent period marked by deep internal divisions.
At the time, the party’s National Executive Committee suspended Agyepong over accusations of misconduct and insubordination — claims he consistently denied. That episode became one of the most polarizing in recent party history, cementing factional splits between those aligned with then-candidate Akufo-Addo and those advocating a more institutionalist approach to party governance.
Now, a decade later, Agyepong’s reemergence appears to position him as a unifying figure with the moral capital to lead a fractured party back to credibility. His platform is expected to emphasize ethical leadership, internal party democracy, and reconnection with the party’s founding Danquah-Busia-Dombo principles.
2026 Primaries: A Turning Point
The NPP’s National Executive Committee ratified a proposal for early primaries in January 2026 to give the next flagbearer adequate time to reorganize the party ahead of the 2028 general elections. The decision is widely seen as a response to the need for introspection after the 2024 loss and to avoid the factional delays that plagued the party’s 2008 and 2012 electoral cycles.
Political watchers say the early declaration by Agyepong — and the visible preparations for his campaign — give him a strategic advantage in setting the tone for what is expected to be a competitive race. Other possible contenders include figures from the Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen camps, as well as younger party leaders who see the 2026 primaries as a generational opportunity.
Reclaiming the Party’s Soul?
The NPP has historically prided itself on its intellectual tradition, policy rigor, and economic management credentials. However, public perception took a hit during the latter years of the Akufo-Addo presidency, marked by controversial appointments, ballooning debt, and a cost-of-living crisis that critics say was mishandled.
For many within the NPP, the 2024 loss was more than a setback — it was a reckoning. Agyepong’s return to frontline politics may appeal to delegates and grassroots members who yearn for a return to ideological discipline and ethical governance.
“Kwabena represents the conscience of the party,” a longtime regional executive told Asaase News. “His suspension was unfortunate, but history may vindicate him. Now more than ever, the NPP needs someone who can restore trust and unite us.”
As the clock ticks toward January 2026, Kwabena Agyepong’s candidacy could reframe the conversation within the NPP — from who is next, to what kind of leadership the party truly needs.
