In a show of massive support, highly prominent personalities as well as ordinary members of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have thrown their weight behind former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s bid to lead the party for the 2028 general election.
The NPP gurus, comprising a majority of Members of Parliament (MPs), notable party kingpins, and thousands of party faithful, enthusiastically thronged the party’s headquarters last Thursday to give their unflinching support to Dr. Bawumia when he filed his nomination papers to contest the 31st January, 2026 presidential primary.
Among the NPP heavyweights who are giving unquestionable support to the former Vice President are former Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu; vice presidential candidate for the 2024 general election, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh; MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; former presidential hopeful, Mr. Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku; former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor; former Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery; former MP for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea; and MP for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.
Others are the MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri and Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh; MP for Mampong, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong; MP for Gushegu, Alhassan Tampuli; former Minister for Finance and MP for Karaga, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam; MP for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye; MP for Tolon and first Deputy Minority Whip, Habib Iddrisu; MP for Tano North, Dr Gideon Boako; former MP for Ayawaso Central, Henry Quartey; former MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan; former MP for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, George Mireku Duker; and 2024 parliamentary candidate in Adentan Constituency, Akosua Manu aka Kozie.
These NPP gurus and party faithful have all described Dr. Bawumia as a man with unwavering loyalty to the party, unblemished character, exceptional competence, high leadership qualities, and a hardworking personality both in opposition and in the Akufo-Addo government who can lead the party to win the 2028 presidential election.
With the backing of key personalities in all the constituencies across the country, Dr Bawumia’s aim of becoming the NPP flagbearer again for the next general election, according to political pundits, is highly possible.
Bawumia files nomination papers
Former Vice President Bawumia filed his nomination papers to contest the January 31, 2026, presidential primary.
Speaking after the filing, the NPP 2024 presidential candidate urged the party to elect him again for the 2028 polls, giving assurance that with him, the party will win the next general election.
“I believe my leadership would offer the NPP an opportunity for a quick return to power in 2028.
“I have the character, competence, humility, and vision needed to lead the NPP and Ghana.
“I urged the rank and file of the party to make unity the bedrock of the campaign. On my part, I am committed to a peaceful and decent campaign,” Dr Bawumia urged.
Character and vision to lead the NPP and Ghana
Addressing a large crowd of NPP supporters after filing the nomination papers, Dr Bawumia pointed out that his leadership qualities, grounded in character, values, and integrity, uniquely position him to lead both the party and Ghana into the future.
He noted that the NPP’s tradition of leadership had always been anchored on selflessness, humility, courage, and foresight, and he represented these values.
“As the NPP is looking for a leader who embodies the character of our forebearers, I, Mahamudu Bawumia, offer myself to lead this party into the 2028 elections because I have the integrity, competence, compassion, humility, and values not only required to lead this party but also this country,” he declared.
Dr Bawumia pointed to his track record as Vice President, highlighting his role in introducing transformational digital reforms, financial stability measures, and social policies.
“I have demonstrated my strength not by insults or empty promises but by getting results. This is what makes me the most prepared person to lead the NPP and Ghana,” the former vice president reiterated.
Call for party unity
Calling for unity within the NPP, Dr Bawumia urged party delegates to put character and values at the centre of their choice of leader.
“This election is about the soul of our party. We must choose values that inspire hope, not division. That is the leadership I offer, one that stands for integrity, humility, and service to the people,” he further told the party members.
‘I’m the most prepared candidate for NPP and for President in 2028.’
Making a compelling case to NPP members to retain him as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2028 election, Dr. Bawumia said he is the best-prepared candidate.
He argued that he has been the NPP’s running mate on four occasions and served as Vice President for two terms.
This, Dr Bawumia pointed out, has given him enormous experience, making him the best for the party’s flagbearership slot.
“I am offering myself to be elected as flagbearer because I believe I owe a duty to this party to give her a choice to put forward the most prepared candidate for the 2028 election and the most prepared person to be President in January 2029.
“In the last 16 years, I have had the privilege of joining each and every constituency at least 5 times, to work hard on the ground and campaign and work for the NPP.
“Just like the thousands of you who may not have had all the money in the world to throw at the party, all my sweat, my reputation, my knowledge, and my person have been dedicated to working with you for the success of this party. As a result of this, there is no village or hamlet, no city or town where Mahamudu Bawumia’s face and name are not known,” Dr Bawumia emphasised.
The former Vice President added that with the experience he brings on board, coupled with his first attempt in 2024, the party ought not to start afresh but build upon what it has already built to cross the mark in 2028.
“I owe this party a duty, that if we are to win 2028, we ought not to start afresh from zero. Instead we ought to build on the nearly 42% of valid votes and work to cross the 50% mark in the next election,” he added.
Impactful ideas
Dr. Bawumia stressed that as Vice President, he championed a number of initiatives in the previous NPP government, which are impacting the nation positively.
“I’ve also had the privilege of serving as Vice President and supporting the President and government in our last administration with ideas that have significantly impacted the lives of millions of our people,” Dr. Bawumia said, as he listed a number of initiatives he led as Vice President.
These include mobile money interoperability, gold-for-oil programme; one constituency, one ambulance, Zipline drone medical supplies, Zongo Development Fund, Agenda 111 hospitals, National Identity Card, National Digital Address System, Paperless Ports, Universal QR Code Payment System, National E-Pharmacy Platformional Health Insu of National Health Insurance System (NHIS) membership on mobile phones.
