Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) since 2008, following his nomination as the running mate to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the 2008 general elections. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, appointed during President Kufuor’s government in 2007.
Since accepting the role of running mate, Dr. Bawumia has devoted 17 solid years to the party, serving diligently and faithfully without fear or favor. He has contributed significantly to the growth and success of the NPP as the Vice Presidential Candidate across four consecutive elections (2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020).
When the NPP won the 2016 election, Dr. Bawumia was sworn in as Vice President of Ghana, assisting President Akufo-Addo in implementing major campaign manifesto promises during the party’s two consecutive terms in office from 2017 to 2024. In the 2024 general elections, he contested as the NPP’s presidential candidate, despite the party losing that election.
Given this extensive record of service, how can such an astute and committed individual—first as Vice Presidential Candidate for four terms, then as a star witness in the 2012 election petition, and finally as the party’s 2024 presidential candidate—be portrayed as an “outsider” simply because of internal elections?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Can an Outsider Contest the NPP Presidential Election?
Setting the Record Straight
Article 13 (3) of the NPP Constitution, as amended in 2017, outlines the rules for the election of a Presidential Candidate. It states:
“Any Member may, before the expiry of the period set out in Article 13 (2), apply for nomination as the Party’s Presidential Candidate.”
Furthermore, clause (7) of Article 13 specifies that no member shall be entitled to nomination unless they:
(a) have been a known and active member for at least five (5) years;
(b) are of good character;
(c) are in good standing, among other requirements.
These constitutional provisions clearly define who is eligible to contest the NPP presidential election.
Since the NPP announced the opening of nominations for the 2028 presidential elections, campaigns among contenders have begun ahead of the party’s national delegates’ election scheduled for 31st January 2026. One recurring narrative in the campaigns is the claim that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia—former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate—is an “outsider” unfit to lead the NPP again.
This claim is illogical and misleading. It has created misconceptions among some party delegates, members, sympathizers, and the general public, many of whom either do not know the NPP Constitution or lack accurate information about the eligibility requirements for the party’s presidential elections.
What is particularly concerning is that this misinformation is coming from individuals expected to know better, given their backgrounds and experience within the party. Such narratives risk creating a negative impression of the NPP among the electorate ahead of the 2028 elections.
In fact, according to the NPP Constitution, no outsider can contest the party’s presidential election unless they have been a registered and active member for at least five (5) years, are of good standing, and meet the other prescribed requirements. Dr. Bawumia, having served the party for 17 years, clearly exceeds these criteria.
In conclusion, a careful review of the NPP Constitution and Dr. Bawumia’s service record demonstrates that labeling him an “outsider” is not only inaccurate but motivated by ill intent.
Yaw Marvin
Development Communication Practitioner
Writing from the corners of Kwesimintsim Zongo
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