Thirteen candidates are competing for the three positions, with the top three vote-getters expected to emerge as vice-chairpersons in the party’s October 3, 2026 national executive election.

But Mr. Pyne says he remains confident of securing a place, pointing to his experience, longstanding commitment to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the campaign he has mounted ahead of the election.

“The numbers are not a threat to me at all. What I know is that the work that I’m doing, the campaigning that I’m undertaking, the pedigree of Sam Pyne, my commitment to party work, all that I’ve told you about myself is what is going to reign on the 3rd of October,” he said.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, the former Ashanti Regional Secretary said the number of contenders may partly stem from the requirement that delegates elect three vice-chairpersons.

He nonetheless said his priority is to persuade delegates that he is the right candidate for the role.

The former Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) believes his years of involvement in the party and record of service give him a strong footing as he battles the other aspirants.

He is number 11 on the ballot and is seeking one of the three available positions as the NPP seeks to reorganise and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2028 general election.

Also read:

• Odike, Sam Pyne clash on live radio [Video]

• I have a concession but not involved in galamsey – Sam Pyne [Audio]

‎On Asempa FM Ekosii Sen, Mr. Awuku sent a text message expressing his admiration for Mr. Brace, popularly known as Ahanta Pele and suggested that he could make a fine politician.

‎“OB, tell Kojo Brace he will be a fine politician, should he decide to join politics,” the host Philip Osei Bonsu, read.

‎‎This was when Mr. Brace was discussing “A Walk with The Ahanta Pele,” which was held over the weekend in Agona Nkwanta, Ahanta West, drawing scores of participants.
‎
‎The event featured a workout routine, including aerobics, as part of activities aimed at promoting physical fitness, community engagement, and a healthy lifestyle.
‎
‎‎Samuel Kojo Brace was born in Agona Nkwanta in the Ahanta West Municipality and received his early education in the municipality.

He had his basic education at Unity Academy in Ewusiejoe before proceeding to Baidoo Bonsoe Senior High Technical School in the municipal capital. He subsequently attended the University of Cape Coast, where he developed a strong interest in journalism.
‎
‎Over the years, Samuel Kojo Brace has built a strong public profile through journalism and advocacy.

As a journalist, he is known for speaking the Ahanta language when he appears on programmes, a practice that has earned him admiration among many natives and strengthened his reputation as someone who identifies closely with their culture, interests, and aspirations.
‎
‎Beyond his work in the media, he has undertaken advocacy on issues affecting the Ahanta people and has used his public platform to promote their interests and culture over the years.
‎
‎It is against this background that Mr. Awuku’s comment has attracted interest. His remarks have added a notable voice to discussions about Samuel Kojo Brace’s  future in politics.
‎
‎For many observers, the endorsement is significant because it comes from a prominent Ghanaian politician whose public profile and political experience have earned him considerable recognition and admiration.
‎

Speaking to party delegates as he advances his campaign for the NPP’s top administrative post, Afoko described women as essential organisers, communicators, business leaders, professionals, farmers, traders, caregivers, and strategists, noting that women are the backbone of homes, communities, and party structures.

“To the women of our party and of Ghana, I say this: no serious renewal of the NPP can take place without women at the centre. If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation,” Afoko stated.

He outlined how, as National Chairman, he would elevate women from an appendix of party activity to a central pillar of organisation and policy.

He said hwould prioritise women’s roles in party organisation, policy engagement, fundraising, communication, mobilisation and leadership development, insisting that a revitalised NPP must leverage the energy and skills of its female membership.

“The NPP cannot recapture power without women. Ghana cannot prosper without women. Women’s inclusion is both a moral imperative and a strategic necessity for electoral success and national development,” he reiterated.

Afoko’s appeal comes as the party prepares to renew its leadership and reassess strategies to reconnect with voters nationwide.

He said meaningful participation by women in decision-making and policy-shaping is critical to rebuilding trust and expanding the party’s reach into communities where women play central economic and social roles.

His remarks signal a campaign focus on inclusivity and organisational reform, with targeted efforts to empower women within the party’s structures and to ensure that party policies reflect the realities and priorities of women across Ghana’s economy and society.

Mr Afoko called for women-centred renewal additions to a growing conversation within the NPP about how best to revitalise the party and broaden its appeal ahead of future elections.

The campaign said Mr Salam’s decision to withdraw was a personal one, based on his assessment of the contest and his prospects of securing the National Organiser position.

In a statement signed by Stonewall Quartey, an aide to Mr. Titus-Glover, the campaign cautioned against linking the withdrawal to any external influence.

“Let it not be said anywhere that Mustapha Salam stepped down due to the influence, pressure, or intervention of any individual or the system,” the statement said.

According to the campaign, Mr Salam arrived at the decision after conducting a “careful” assessment of his chances in the election.

It urged NPP members and supporters to respect his decision and refrain from speculating about the reasons behind his withdrawal.

The Titus-Glover camp maintained that the circumstances surrounding Mr Salam’s decision should be allowed to speak for themselves rather than being attributed to pressure from the party or its structures.

Meanwhile, Mr. Titus-Glover is expected to continue his nationwide campaign ahead of the NPP National Executive elections scheduled for October 3, 2026.

The campaign said he would maintain his engagement with delegates, listen to their concerns, and present his vision for strengthening the party.

“He is determined to continue engaging delegates, listening to their concerns, and presenting a clear vision for a stronger, more united, and better-organised NPP,” the statement said.

The campaign further expressed confidence in delegates to independently determine who should occupy the National Organiser position.

“The decision belongs to the delegates. The mandate belongs to the delegates. And we remain confident in their judgment,” it added.

Read the full statement below:

Also read:

• Salam Mustapha withdraws from NPP National Organiser race

• NPP National Organiser race: Titus Glover picks No. 7 as balloting is held for…

The Chairman of the National Election Committee, Frederick Opare-Ansah confirmed the development on Wednesday during the balloting exercise for 47 aspirants contesting various national positions.

Adom News’ Kofi Akowuah Twum, who was at the NPP headquarters at Asylum Down, reported that Mr. Opare-Ansah made the disclosure to the representatives of the National Organiser aspirants when they took their turn during the balloting exercise.

The former Suhum Member of Parliament (MP) revealed he received an official communication of Mustapha’s decision on Wednesday morning.

The withdrawal reduces the number of contestants for the strategic position to 7.

Balloting for the remaining aspirants proceeded as scheduled, with the order of names on the ballot paper now finalised without Mustapha.

Mr. Opare-Ansah indicated that he would speak further on the matter afterwards.

Mustapha, the incumbent National Youth Organiser, had been one of the eight candidates cleared by the National Officers Election Vetting Committee to contest the National Organiser slot.

Also read:

• NPP National Organiser race: Titus Glover picks No. 7 as balloting is held for…

• NPP Vice Chair race: Mustapha Abdul-Hamid draws No. 1, Nana Akomea picks No. 12

The exercise was held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra.

The balloting determines the sequence in which the candidates will appear on the ballot paper for the national elections scheduled for October 3, 2026.

Ing. Kwame Prempeh emerged with the first position, followed closely by Agyenim Boateng in second place and Archibald Gamor Korletey in third. Nana K secured the fourth slot, while Ali Maiga Halidu, Emmanuel Korsi Bordja and former Greater Accra Regional Minister Daniel Nii Kwartey Titus Glover completed the list in fifth, sixth and seventh positions, respectively.

The National Organiser position is regarded as one of the most strategic roles within the party’s national executive, responsible for grassroots mobilisation and organisational work across the country as the NPP prepares for the 2028 general elections.

1. Ing. Kwame Prempeh
2. Agyenim Boateng
3. Archibald Gamor Korletey
4. Nana K
5. Ali Maiga Halidu
6. Emmanuel Korsi Bordja
7. Daniel Nii Kwartey Titus Glover

All the aspirants had earlier been cleared by the National Officers Election Vetting Committee to contest the position. The balloting exercise forms part of the final preparations before the full national officers’ polls.

The election will be between four aspirants who made it through the vetting process, following the withdrawal of former Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi.

After the end of the balloting on Wednesday, former General Secretary, John Boadu picked the first slot.

Sammy Crabbe picked the second position, followed by former NPP National Chairman Paul Afoko in third place, while former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko completes the ballot in fourth.

The race is expected to be closely watched as the NPP seeks to strengthen its internal structures and position itself for the next electoral contest.

With the October 3 election drawing closer, the candidates are expected to intensify their engagements with delegates across the country in a bid to secure the votes needed to lead the party as National Chairman.

Also read:

• NPP Chairmanship race: Wontumi’s campaign team throws support behind John Boadu

• ‘NPP should stop being hypocritical’ – Nukpenu fires over demand for evacuation cost

In a statement dated September 9, 2026, the John Boadu Campaign described the endorsement as a significant show of confidence in his leadership and a call for unity within the NPP.

The campaign said it deeply appreciated the decision by Chairman Wontumi, his campaign leadership and other stakeholders to throw their “full support, strength and political weight” behind Mr Boadu’s bid.

According to the statement, the endorsement goes beyond the National Chairmanship contest and presents an opportunity for the party to unite at what it described as a critical point in its history.

“This gesture is much more than an endorsement. It is a powerful statement of confidence in John Boadu’s leadership and, more importantly, a significant call for unity at a critical moment in the history of our Party,” the statement read in parts.

The campaign pledged to work closely with Mr Wontumi’s team and other party members to rebuild the NPP’s unity, strengthen its structures, and position it for victory in the 2028 general election.

It said its broader objective is to build an “electorally formidable NPP” capable of securing victory for the party and ensuring that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia becomes President of Ghana in 2029.

The John Boadu campaign also assured Chairman Wontumi that his contribution and sacrifices to the NPP would not be forgotten.

It further promised that a John Boadu-led NPP would work with the party’s flagbearer and legal team to pursue all legitimate legal avenues in the pending appeal and advocate for the earliest possible release of Mr Wontumi, in accordance with due process and the rule of law.

The statement expressed gratitude to the Wontumi campaign for choosing to prioritise the unity and collective interest of the party.

“Together, we shall rebuild. Together, we shall unite. Together, we shall win. We have done it before. We will do it again. Let’s win together,” the statement added.

The endorsement is expected to add political weight to Mr Boadu’s campaign as the NPP prepares for its National Chairmanship contest.

Read the full statement below:

Also read:

• NPP Chairmanship race: Wontumi’s campaign team throws support behind John Boadu

• John Boadu leads NPP chairmanship race as 41.3% remain undecided – Global InfoAnalytics

The decision marks the end of the Wontumi campaign’s independent bid, with its grassroots structures and organisational network now set to support Mr Boadu’s candidature.

The announcement was made at a press conference on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, by the Administrator of the Wontumi Campaign Team, Dennis Okyere Danso, who said the move followed consultations with party grassroots, elders and other stakeholders.

According to him, the campaign’s decision was also influenced by a September 4 visit to Chairman Wontumi at Nsawam.

Mr Danso said the alliance would bring together Mr Wontumi’s strong grassroots mobilisation network and Mr Boadu’s experience in managing the party’s administrative structures.

“The Wontumi Campaign has taken the decision to close ranks and throw its full weight, organisational capacity and grassroots machinery behind Mr John Boadu for the position of National Chairman,” he said.

He said the alliance was not merely about advancing the interests of the two political camps but was aimed at rebuilding unity within the NPP ahead of the 2028 general elections.

“This is bigger than two campaigns. It is about putting the party above individual interests and ensuring that the NPP emerges stronger, more united and better organised,” he stated.

Mr Danso urged members of the Wontumi campaign across the regions, constituencies and polling stations to redirect their mobilisation efforts towards Mr Boadu.

He also called on supporters and volunteers to regard the endorsement as a collective responsibility and actively support Mr Boadu’s campaign.

According to him, the partnership is expected to bridge grassroots mobilisation with institutional party management and strengthen the NPP’s organisational base.

He further appealed to all candidates and their supporters to conduct the internal contest peacefully, stressing the need for “unity without bitterness.”

Mr Danso cautioned against insults, intimidation and personal attacks, saying the internal elections should not leave lasting divisions within the party.

He said the ultimate goal of the alliance was to consolidate the NPP’s support base, restore confidence among members and position the party to regain power in 2028 under the leadership of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Also read:

• Wontumi’s withdrawal will have little impact on NPP chairmanship race – Asah-Asante

• Wontumi withdraws from NPP national chairmanship race, urges support for Bawumia

Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam, Mr Tetteh stressed the importance of measuring the party’s electoral performance by both votes and parliamentary seats.

“If the NPP goes into an election and again we lose 1.7 million votes and lose 50 seats in the next election, I will resign on the day of the election.”

Mr Tetteh said he would be prepared to resign immediately if the party suffers a significant decline in both its presidential votes and parliamentary representation.

“The margin matters.”

He emphasised that the extent of any gains or losses should be a key consideration when assessing the performance of the party’s leadership.

“We currently have 87 seats.”

Mr Tetteh pointed to the NPP’s current parliamentary strength as the baseline against which its performance in the next election should be measured.

“If I become General Secretary, the next election, we get 137 seats, there is going to be applause for everyone, even though, look at the jump.”

He argued that increasing the party’s parliamentary seats from 87 to 137 would represent a substantial improvement and would reflect positively on the collective efforts of the party.

He suggested that clear principles and measurable results should guide how the performance of the party’s leadership is assessed.

Speaking on behalf of political parties participating in the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI) at the inaugural meeting of the Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday, September 7, he said the quality of governance is often determined long before political leaders assume public office.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah, who has spent decades in grassroots politics, Parliament and government, said political parties play a critical role in determining who gets opportunities, what qualities are rewarded and how seriously policy and conduct are treated.

“Long before people enter ministerial office or take seats in parliament, political parties have already decided who receives opportunity, which qualities are rewarded, what standards of conduct are accepted and how seriously ideas and policy are treated.”

He cautioned that political parties risk preparing themselves only to win elections when they fail to invest adequately in policy development, leadership training and institutional capacity.

“A country therefore pays a heavy price when its political parties become highly effective at winning elections but insufficiently serious about preparing people to govern.”

According to him, electoral victories can sometimes conceal institutional weaknesses, which become more apparent once a party assumes the responsibility of governing.

He stressed that parties must develop a broad pool of capable leaders rather than depend on a small circle of familiar personalities.

“The durability of a political party is ultimately found in its capacity to produce leadership beyond the generation that currently controls it.”

Parties must adapt to changing voter expectations

Mr Asiedu Nketiah also noted that the relationship between citizens and political parties is evolving, particularly as younger generations become more questioning of political authority.

He said political parties can no longer assume that support enjoyed by one generation will automatically be transferred to the next.

“Political relevance has to be renewed; it cannot simply be inherited.”

He therefore urged political parties to remain institutions where leadership is developed, policy is taken seriously, new ideas are introduced and capable people are given meaningful opportunities to enter public life.

The NDC National Chairman further stressed the importance of parties being able to function effectively both in government and in opposition.

He said opposition parties should use their time outside government to strengthen their policy, leadership and organisational capacity rather than merely wait for the governing party to fail.

“A serious party should understand opposition as a period in which it continues to develop policy, leadership and organisational capacity, rather than simply waiting for the governing party to fail.”

He added that governing parties must equally remain connected to the communities and constituencies whose confidence brought them into office.

“Elections can bring a party into government; only performance, organisation and continuing public confidence can sustain its political relevance.”

Calls for practical inter-continental political exchange

Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the newly established Inter-Continental Dialogue should go beyond formal statements and become a platform for political parties to share practical experiences.

He identified leadership renewal, rebuilding after electoral defeats, maintaining internal cohesion, developing policy capacity and adapting to changing political environments as areas where parties could learn from one another.

“Political institutions learn very little when they study only their victories.”

He said the different political histories, constitutional arrangements, economic conditions and political cultures represented at the Dialogue provide an opportunity for participants to learn from both the successes and failures of others.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah also expressed the hope that the initiative would develop into a sustained working relationship rather than become a succession of periodic meetings.

He said the success of the platform should ultimately be measured by whether political parties develop stronger relationships, exchange institutional experiences, expose emerging leaders to political traditions beyond their own countries and establish practical areas of cooperation.

Concluding his remarks, Mr Asiedu Nketiah congratulated the organisers and participants for establishing the Dialogue and called for sustained efforts to strengthen political institutions across continents.

“Political victories come and go. The lasting contribution of a political party is the quality of leadership, institutions and political culture it leaves behind.”

The exercise will take place at the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra and will determine the order in which candidates will appear on the ballot paper for the various national positions.

The balloting follows the completion of the vetting of aspirants between August 31 and September 3 by the National Officers Election Vetting Committee.

In a statement dated September 5, the NPP announced that “Balloting for positions on the ballot paper will take place on Wednesday, 9th September 2026, at the NPP Headquarters, Asylum Down, Accra.”

The National Officers Elections Committee (NOEC) said the specific times for balloting for each position will be communicated directly to the aspirants.

Candidates may participate personally or through duly authorised representatives.

The exercise is expected to be a key step in shaping the final ballot for the national elections, with 47 aspirants cleared to contest nine positions.

The cleared candidates include four for National Chairman, 13 for National Vice-Chairperson, four for General Secretary and four for National Treasurer.

The National Organiser position has eight contenders, while six have been cleared for National Youth Organiser.

Two aspirants will contest the National Women’s Organiser position, with five cleared for National Nasara (Zongo) Organiser and one for National Communications Director.

The NOEC has urged all aspirants and their representatives to cooperate fully to ensure an orderly balloting exercise.

It has also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting the remaining stages of the elections in a manner that is “fair, transparent, orderly, and credible.”

The Committee further urged aspirants, their supporters and party members to protect the unity and integrity of the party as the electoral process progresses.

Further details on the subsequent stages of the elections are expected to be communicated in due course.

Also read:

• NPP clears all 47 aspirants for 2026 national officers’ elections

• Hawa Koomson pledges to reconcile with Kennedy Agyapong if elected NPP Women’s Organiser

Read the full statement below:

The Global InfoAnalytics survey released on August 20, 2026, showed John Boadu leading with 27% support among NPP voters, followed by former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko with 15% and Mr Afoko with 10%.

But for Mr Afoko, the figures offer little indication of how the contest will ultimately end.

Speaking to Accra-based Citi News on the sidelines of a thanksgiving service for newly elected Ashanti Regional Executives at Gracefields Chapel in the Nhyiaeso Constituency, he said he was focused on the October 3 election.

“I don’t believe in any polls. The only poll I believe in is the October 3 poll here in Kumasi,” he said.

Rather than respond to the survey’s ranking, Mr Afoko pointed to his campaign’s reception among delegates as a more meaningful measure of his prospects.

“How do I rate my chances? I mean, for the places I have been to, I think the message is resonating. That is what I would say. The message is resonating. But I don’t believe in any polls,” he added.

He questioned the reliability of surveys that depend on respondents accurately revealing their voting intentions.

“All other polls are just speculation. And as they say, you can’t enter into a person’s mind and know whether they are telling you the truth or not,” he said.

Mr Afoko also said his continued presence on the campaign trail was itself evidence of his confidence in winning the contest.

“So I wouldn’t be here campaigning if I thought I was going to lose. I wouldn’t,” Mr Afoko said.

While the chairmanship contest remains a key part of his campaign, Mr Afoko used his appearance in Kumasi to emphasise what he sees as a bigger task for the NPP: rebuilding the party after its electoral setbacks.

The thanksgiving service was organised by the newly elected Ashanti Regional Executives, led by Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as Asanteman COKA.

Mr Afoko described the Ashanti Region as central to the NPP’s fortunes and said the election of new regional executives offered the party an opportunity to rebuild its structures.

“I actually came around for several reasons, but this has been the prime. And my reason for being here is the fact that Asante is the heartbeat of our party. It’s the stronghold, it’s our heartbeat,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the party could recover the seven parliamentary seats it lost in the region during the 2024 elections.

The NPP currently holds 40 parliamentary seats in the Ashanti Region, and Mr Afoko said renewed attention to constituencies where the party suffered losses could help strengthen its position.

But he identified unity as the key ingredient to the party’s return to power.

“The one prerequisite of power is unity. And this is the same thing I’ve been carrying around. Once we are ready to stop discrimination, once we are able to forget that and remember that our unity was formed here in Asante, in Kumasi especially, when we had our tradition, we came together here in Kumasi,” Mr Afoko said.

He called on party members to reconnect with the unity associated with the NPP’s roots in the United Party tradition.

“Those days they used to call us UP tradition. We have reached that point again. We have to find our unity,” he said.

Mr Afoko also backed the new Ashanti Regional Chairman, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, saying his experience in party organisation could prove useful in rebuilding the party’s fortunes.

“Once we find our unity and COKA does his job very well, which I believe he will because he’s experienced, he’s held constituency chairmanship and all that, then yes, the future of our party in Asante is bright,” he said.

Also read:

• NPP national election vetting committee is very accommodating – Afoko

• Afoko can close NPP’s darkest chapter — Broadcast journalist

According to him, the party needs adequate financial resources to support research and communication strategies aimed at winning votes, stressing the need for a professional and experienced person to manage the party’s finances.

Dr. Moomin said the NPP’s finances are currently not in good standing and require restructuring.

He believes he has the requisite experience and capacity to develop programmes at the constituency level to empower various departments of the party, including Nasara, Research, Communications, Organizers, Youth and Women’s Organizers.

He appealed to delegates to give him the nod to serve as National Treasurer and execute his vision for the party.

Speaking to journalists after his vetting, Dr. Moomin said he had been an accountant throughout his professional career, having studied Accounting at the Senior High School, university and subsequently worked as an accountant in various government institutions.

He disclosed that he had worked with the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and also served as a lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS).

On his political experience, Dr. Moomin said he served as the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Wa Central in the 2012 and 2016 general elections and later served as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Wa Central from 2017 to 2024.

He added that his experience at the grassroots level of the party has given him valuable knowledge and the qualities needed to effectively serve as National Treasurer.

Dr. Moomin is therefore urging delegates to support his candidature, arguing that his professional background in accounting, experience in public service and political experience make him well positioned to help restructure and strengthen the party’s finances ahead of the 2028 elections.

Also read:

• Nana Akomea leads NPP First Vice Chairman race in new poll

• “Look at my track record and elevate me” – Salam Mustapha tells NPP delegates

In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the IEA supported the election of all MMDCEs but argued that every qualified citizen should be allowed to contest without presidential control over the selection process.

The Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, proposed a phased introduction of MMDCE elections based on the financial and administrative capacity of individual districts.

The government, however, proposed that all MMDCEs should be elected from a list of five candidates nominated by the President and subsequently shortlisted by a vetting committee.

“The IEA supports the election of all MMDCEs but rejects presidential nomination of candidates,” the Institute stated.

“In the view of the IEA, all qualified citizens should be free to contest MMDCE elections in a non-partisan process,” it added.

The policy think tank maintained that the proposal would preserve presidential influence over local government leadership despite introducing elections.

“Local-level democracy will be strengthened when citizens, rather than the President, determine who may stand for election to lead in the district,” the IEA said.

President John Dramani Mahama established the Prempeh Committee in 2025 to review previous constitutional reform proposals, undertake public consultations and recommend changes to the 1992 Constitution. The committee later presented its recommendations to the President in December 2025.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine subsequently inaugurated an 11-member Constitution Review Implementation Committee on August 28, 2026, to examine the government’s position paper and develop a framework for implementing the accepted recommendations.

The implementation committee is chaired by Presidential Legal Counsel and former Attorney-General Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong.

Mahama dissolves boards of nine state institutions

He said the voting patterns of Ghanaian Muslims in the 2024 presidential election showed that religious affiliation did not determine their political choices and could not be used to suggest that a Muslim president would transform Ghana into an Islamic nation.

Dr Abdul-Hamid made the remarks when he delivered the 2026 Liberty Lecture organised by the Danquah Institute in Accra.

The lecture was held on the theme: “One Nation, Many Faiths: Emerging Threats to Religious Tolerance in Ghana.”

He argued that if there were a coordinated agenda among Muslims to Islamise Ghana, Dr Bawumia’s candidature as the NPP’s presidential candidate in the 2024 election would have provided an opportunity for Muslims to rally behind him on religious grounds.

“If such an agenda existed, Mr Chairman, the candidacy of Mahamudu Bawumia would have been the catalyst and his candidature would have been the opportunity for Muslims to rally around such an agenda, but they didn’t,” he said.

Dr Abdul-Hamid cited several Muslim-dominated constituencies, including Ayawaso East, Ayawaso North, Asawasi, Ejura, Tamale North, Tamale Central, Tamale South and Sagnarigu, which he said voted strongly for President John Dramani Mahama, a Christian, over Dr Bawumia.

He said the voting patterns demonstrated that religious identity did not automatically translate into political allegiance.

“Consciously, in the Ghanaian psyche, our religious differences do not spill over into our political consideration,” he said.

Dr Abdul-Hamid cautioned against portraying a potential Bawumia presidency as a religious project, saying the former Vice President’s career and political agenda had centred largely on economics and national development.

“Mahamudu Bawumia is seeking the presidency of Ghana not to reorder the religious destiny of our country,” he said.

He also rejected concerns that the proposed introduction of Arabic as an optional subject at the basic-school level formed part of an Islamisation agenda.

“Arabic is a language separate and distinct from Islam,” he said, arguing that proficiency in the language could create opportunities in international commerce, diplomacy, education and investment.

He further dismissed concerns about interest-free banking, saying Islamic banking would expand financial options rather than impose religious practices on the wider population.

“The European experience demonstrates that Islamic banking is not about Islamizing a country. It is about widening financial options,” he said.

Dr Abdul-Hamid urged Ghanaians to resist attempts to exploit religious differences for political gain, particularly ahead of the 2028 general election.

He said voters were more concerned about jobs, good governance, security, education, healthcare and efficient public services than efforts to alter Ghana’s religious identity.

He therefore urged the electorate to assess political candidates based on their competence, character and capacity to govern rather than their religious backgrounds.

Also read:

• John Boadu touts 18-year relationship with Bawumia, pledges to unite NPP for victory

• ‘Whether NDC likes it or not, Bawumia will become President in 2028’ – Amin…

Mr Salam said his decision to contest the position was grounded in his years of service to the NPP and the experience he had gained through various responsibilities within the party.

Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV, he appealed to delegates to assess his performance and contribution to the party before casting their ballots.

He said his record should be a key consideration in determining whether he deserves to be entrusted with the position.

“Look at my track record, what I’ve been able to do for the party, and elevate me to the next position,” he said.

Mr Salam also reaffirmed his commitment to the NPP, promising to continue giving his best to the party if elected.

He described the NPP as the political organisation that had nurtured his career and given him opportunities to rise from relative obscurity to national prominence.

“I promise that I will continue to give my best to the party. Because it’s the party that has nurtured me, the party that has raised me and for the honour done me, taking a small boy from obscurity to the limelight known across the length and breadth of Ghana and even across the globe,” he said.

He said the party’s investment in his political career had strengthened his commitment to its growth and success.

“I think that the NPP has invested so much in me. Any day I will stand firm for this party,” he added.

Also read:

• The youth are no longer safe, we will resist oppressive rule – NPP’s Salam…

• NPP will not take lessons from the brothel – Salam Mustapha slams NDC over…

The Cecilia Dapaah-led Vetting Committee began the exercise on Monday, August 31, 2026, with aspirants for the positions of National Chairman, General Secretary and National Treasurer appearing before the committee.

Mr Afoko, who was the first aspirant to be vetted for the National Chairperson position, said the process was conducted in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Speaking to the media after the exercise, he said the committee gave him the opportunity to engage freely with its members and was receptive throughout the process.

He said the interaction also went beyond the formal vetting, with members of the committee engaging him on some of the strategies he intends to pursue in his campaign.

Mr Afoko expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise and praised the committee for creating an environment that allowed for a constructive and open engagement.

Also read:

• Afoko can close NPP’s darkest chapter — Broadcast journalist

• I am confident past issues will not affect my vetting – Paul Afoko

Comrade Papa Assan died in the early hours of Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the GPHA Hospital in Takoradi after a short illness.

In a statement signed by Regional Communications Officer Richard Kirk-Mensah, the party described his death as a major loss to the NDC and the Western Region.

Papa Assan had served as the party’s Regional Elections Director since 2014, where he played a key role in managing the party’s electoral activities.

The Western Regional NDC credited his dedication and expertise in election management with contributing to the party’s strong performance in the 2024 general elections, during which the NDC won 15 of the 17 parliamentary seats in the region.

The party said he served with commitment, loyalty and diligence throughout his tenure.

As part of measures to honour his memory, the Western Regional NDC has directed that all party flags in the region be flown at half-mast for three days.

The party expressed its condolences to his bereaved family, friends, colleagues and members of the NDC, while praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.

Below is Mr. Kirk-Mensah’s statement:

Also read:

• NDC is in a huge bubble – Miracles Aboagye

• NDC cannot deliver even one hour of promised 24-hour economy – John Boadu

The National Officers Elections Committee (NOEC) said the filing exercise ended at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

Three aspirants, however, failed to complete the process.

They are Bernard Antwi Boasiako, who had expressed interest in the National Chairperson position; Evans Kodom, a candidate for National Communications Director; and Perpetual Ekua Lomokie Akwada, who purchased a nomination form to contest the National Women Organiser position.

According to the NOEC, Mr Boasiako subsequently withdrew his candidature, while Mr Kodom withdrew during the filing of Dennis Miracles Aboagye’s nomination. Ms Akwada, on the other hand, failed to submit her completed forms before the deadline.

The development leaves Mr Aboagye as the sole aspirant for the National Communications Director position.

He will, however, have to successfully go through the vetting process and satisfy all the applicable requirements before his candidature can be confirmed as unopposed.

The vetting of the 47 aspirants is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 31, and end on Thursday, September 3.

The exercise will be supervised by a Vetting Committee chaired by former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

Candidates contesting the positions of National Chairperson, General Secretary and National Treasurer will appear before the committee on Monday.

National Vice Chairperson aspirants will be vetted on Tuesday, followed by candidates for National Organiser and National Youth Organiser on Wednesday.

The final day, Thursday, will be dedicated to aspirants for National Communications Director, National Nasara Organiser and National Women Organiser.

The NOEC has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting an “orderly, fair, transparent and credible” election process.

It has also appealed to all aspirants and their supporters to uphold party unity and help build confidence in the electoral process.

Read the full statement below:

They said the practice was undermining the integrity of elections and influencing voters to choose leaders based on financial inducements rather than competence, integrity and leadership qualities.

Speaking at the forum, Eastern Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ophelia Nana Yaa Ankrah, said Ghana’s democratic system was founded on laws agreed upon by citizens and must be respected.

She noted that the 1992 Constitution guarantees eligible citizens the right to vote but does not permit the offering or acceptance of bribes to influence electoral choices.

According to her, economic hardship sometimes makes people vulnerable to inducements, but Ghanaians must acknowledge the problem and work collectively to address it.

Chief Investigator at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), George Adzovie, urged voters to assess candidates based on their leadership qualities, values and integrity instead of allowing money to influence their choices.

He said citizens often tolerate vote buying instead of reporting it, despite the existence of laws and mechanisms to deal with electoral offences.

Deputy Director of the Electoral Commission in the Eastern Region, Edward Gyamfi, said sovereignty rests with the people and urged voters to exercise their power responsibly.

He expressed concern that no one appeared ready to openly speak against vote buying, noting that both those offering and accepting inducements often choose to ignore the practice.

He warned that voters who accept bribes could find it difficult to demand accountability from politicians after elections.

Meanwhile, Presiding Member of the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, Nana Yaw Debrah, said distributing branded souvenirs during political campaigns should not automatically be considered vote buying.

He explained that souvenirs could form part of a candidate’s branding and campaign strategy, stressing that democracy goes beyond elections to include rights such as freedom of speech and movement.

The stakeholders made the comments at Adom Brands’ public dialogue, dubbed “Democracy Is Not For Sale,” held at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua.

The forum was organised by Adom Brands of the Multimedia Group Limited in partnership with the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation.

See more photos below:

READ ALSO:

Democracy Is Not For Sale: Edward Gyamfi reveals why vote buying thrives in Ghana

Democracy Is Not For Sale: CHRAJ investigator urges public to report vote buying

According to him, political candidates often use branded items as part of their campaign strategies to promote themselves and create awareness among voters.

“Political branding comes with souvenirs. So when you brand something and give it to people, that is not vote buying; it is selling yourself,” Nana Yaw Debrah said.

He explained that although elections are an important foundation of democracy, democracy extends beyond the electoral process to include fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of movement.

“Democracy even boils down to our freedom of speech and right of movement. Democracy is not basically about elections, although elections are the foundation of democracy,” he stated.

Nana Yaw Debrah, however, cautioned that accepting bribes during elections could undermine citizens’ ability to exercise their rights and demand accountability from elected officials.

“When you take a bribe, you have sold your voice and your right,” he said.

He noted that politicians are constantly looking for strategies to win elections and argued that political souvenirs should not automatically be equated with financial inducements intended to influence voters.

“Politics is difficult. Everyone is looking for strategies to win the elections. We always confuse the two. In terms of giving souvenirs out, is it also vote buying? It is only trying to market the candidate,” he explained.

Nana Yaw Debrah was speaking at Adom Brands’ public dialogue on the growing influence of money in Ghana’s democratic process.

The forum, dubbed “Democracy Is Not For Sale,” is being held at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua and is organised by Adom Brands of the Multimedia Group Limited in partnership with the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation.

READ ALSO:

Democracy Is Not For Sale: Edward Gyamfi reveals why vote buying thrives in Ghana

Democracy Is Not For Sale: CHRAJ investigator urges public to report vote buying

According to him, although many Ghanaians acknowledge that vote buying is harmful to democracy, both those offering money and those accepting it have deliberately chosen to overlook the practice.

“Most of us are aware that vote buying isn’t good for our democracy. However, both the giver and the receiver have made up their minds that they are going to ignore that fact,” he said.

Mr Gyamfi cautioned voters against accepting money from politicians, arguing that doing so could undermine their ability to demand accountability from the same politicians after they are elected.

“Some people forget that after taking a bribe, you can’t go and ask the person for accountability. You have taken your share, no matter how small the bribe was,” he stated.

He also described what he said was a growing trend where political parties provide money to voters under the guise of transportation allowances.

According to him, voters are sometimes given specific times to report to polling stations but fail to turn up until they have received financial inducements.

“If you ask any politician, they will tell you they don’t bribe. Some even call it transportation fee to voters. We all see it, but who bears the cost?” he questioned.

Mr Gyamfi was speaking at Adom Brands’ public dialogue on the growing influence of money in Ghana’s democratic process.

The forum, dubbed “Democracy Is Not For Sale,” is being held at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua and is organised by Adom Brands of the Multimedia Group Limited in partnership with the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation.

The dialogue is bringing together stakeholders to examine the impact of money on Ghana’s democratic processes and the need to protect the integrity of elections.

READ ALSO:

Democracy Is Not For Sale: EC Deputy Director warns against money, bribery in elections

Democracy Is Not For Sale: NCCE’s Ophelia Ankrah urges action to curb vote buying

According to him, voting is not only a constitutional right but also a responsibility that requires citizens to exercise their conscience and consider the values and integrity of candidates before making their choices.

“Voting is a constitutional right. Voting talks about conscience as well. Your conscience will guide you as to who to vote for, value and integrity as well,” Mr Adzovie said.

He was speaking at a public dialogue organised by Adom Brands on the increasing influence of money in Ghana’s democratic process.

The event, dubbed “Democracy Is Not For Sale,” took place at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua. It was organised by Adom Brands of the Multimedia Group Limited in collaboration with the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation.

Mr Adzovie said Ghana’s laws clearly prescribe how elections should be conducted and how citizens are expected to exercise their right to vote.

“The laws prescribe how elections should be conducted and how each citizen must also exercise that right to vote. So, we have procedure and direction as to how elections should be done,” he stated.

He cautioned voters against accepting money, gifts or other forms of inducement from political actors in exchange for their votes, saying such conduct undermines the country’s electoral laws.

According to him, both the person offering an inducement and the voter who knowingly accepts it could be engaging in conduct that violates the law.

“So anyone who goes beyond that to bring vanity to you and you also accept it, you are breaching the laws of the land, and those actions need to be taken on,” he said.

Mr Adzovie expressed concern that Ghanaians have increasingly become tolerant of vote buying instead of reporting the practice to the appropriate authorities.

“We tolerate vote buying instead of reporting it, and it destroys our society,” he warned.

He said the country’s legal framework provides protection for whistleblowers and encouraged citizens to make use of the available mechanisms to expose electoral offences.

“The law makes provision for whistleblowers. We have the laws, so we need to make use of them,” he added.

Mr Adzovie urged Ghanaians to take greater responsibility for protecting the integrity of the electoral process by rejecting inducements and reporting individuals who attempt to influence their votes through money or other benefits.

READ ALSO:

Democracy Is Not For Sale: NCCE’s Ophelia Ankrah urges action to curb vote buying

Democracy Is Not For Sale: EC Deputy Director warns against money, bribery in elections

According to her, the increasing use of money and gifts to influence voters poses a serious threat to the country’s democratic values and must be addressed before the practice becomes further entrenched in society.

“We are always making the laws, yet we do a different thing. In the olden days, people used to vote on merit, but nowadays people won’t be bribed before they even go out to vote,” she said.

Ms Ankrah was speaking at Adom Brands’ public dialogue on the growing influence of money in Ghana’s democratic process, dubbed “Democracy Is Not For Sale.”

The forum, held at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua, was organised by Adom Brands of the Multimedia Group Limited in partnership with the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation.

She said corruption and vote-buying had become deeply concerning and warned that failure to confront the practice could have far-reaching consequences for the country.

“If we all don’t come together to fight against corruption, it will eat us more than it has already done,” she stated.

Ms Ankrah noted that public perception of politics had changed significantly, with many Ghanaians increasingly believing that selflessness and genuine service were no longer central to political leadership.

“Ghanaians perceive there is no selflessness in politics anymore,” she said.

She further expressed concern that the culture of inducement had extended to primary schools, where children allegedly offer gifts to their colleagues in exchange for votes during school elections.

“It has gotten all the way to our primary schools, where they bribe their colleagues by giving them gifts, even pens or pencils, so they elect them for prefectship,” she stated.

According to Ms Ankrah, the development should concern all stakeholders because it risks normalising bribery and inducement among young people from an early age.

She therefore called for a national conversation and concerted effort to address the issue, urging citizens to first acknowledge that the country has a problem with money influencing democratic choices.

“We need to all come together and accept that we have a problem and find ways to curb the situation,” she added.

She stressed the need for citizens, political parties, civil society organisations, educational institutions and other stakeholders to work together to restore merit, integrity and accountability to Ghana’s democratic processes.

READ ALSO:

Livestream: ‘Democracy Is Not For Sale’ forum opens in Koforidua

Koforidua hosts ‘Democracy Is Not for Sale’ forum today to tackle money politics

He warned that although money plays an important role in society, using it to influence voters could undermine Ghana’s democracy and have serious consequences for the country.

“Even the preamble of our Constitution says sovereignty lies in the people, so the people have the utmost power, which they entrust in the leader to rule the country to make it better,” Mr Gyamfi said.

He was speaking at Adom Brands’ public dialogue on the growing influence of money in Ghana’s democratic process, dubbed “Democracy Is Not For Sale.”

The forum is being held at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua and is organised by Adom Brands of the Multimedia Group Limited in partnership with the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation.

Mr Gyamfi said Ghana’s democratic system is governed by laws that clearly define the roles and responsibilities of institutions and citizens, urging all stakeholders to uphold them.

“We have the laws, so it is up to us to use honesty and work with the laws. The law is very transparent; everything is guided by the law,” he stated.

He cited Article 46 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the independence of the Electoral Commission in the performance of its functions.

According to him, citizens must be cautious about allowing financial inducements to determine who gets elected into public office.

“Money is good, but if we are not careful of bribery, that will cost us as a country,” he warned.

Mr Gyamfi expressed particular concern that the practice of using gifts and incentives to influence voting decisions appears to be filtering down to the younger generation.

“It is so bad that even in primary schools, the kids use toffees to lure their mates to vote for them,” he said.

He said the situation requires urgent attention from parents, schools, political actors and other stakeholders to prevent the culture of vote-buying from becoming entrenched in society.

“We need to take a critical look at it and fix it before it gets out of hand,” Mr Gyamfi added.

He urged Ghanaians to protect the country’s democratic gains by respecting electoral laws and making voting decisions based on the competence and integrity of candidates rather than monetary inducements.

READ ALSO:

Livestream: ‘Democracy Is Not For Sale’ forum opens in Koforidua

Koforidua hosts ‘Democracy Is Not for Sale’ forum today to tackle money politics

He said the essence of democracy was to empower citizens to elect leaders with the capacity and qualities needed to improve society.

“If we want leadership among ourselves, we have to give that opportunity for someone to be elected, and there are certain qualities we need in that person to make our society better. That’s where our democracy comes in,” he said.

Mr Adzovie was speaking at Adom Brands’ public dialogue on the growing influence of money in Ghana’s democratic process, dubbed “Democracy Is Not For Sale.”

The forum is being held at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua and is organised by Adom Brands of the Multimedia Group Limited in partnership with the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation.

Mr Adzovie cautioned voters against allowing monetary inducements to determine their choice of political leaders, warning that such practices could lead to the election of individuals who lack the capacity to effectively serve the public interest.

He urged citizens to carefully assess candidates based on their leadership abilities and potential contribution to national development instead of what they offer financially.

“Meaning that we don’t have to pick just anyone. But if we don’t look for those qualities and get lured by money, that is the mistake we are doing in our politics now,” he stated.

According to him, the key consideration in any election should be whether a candidate possesses the qualities required to provide effective leadership.

“The best thing is to find someone who possesses leadership qualities that can help all of us,” he said.

Mr Adzovie also referenced the 1992 Constitution, noting that it provides the framework and criteria for participation in Ghana’s democratic process.

“Our Constitution clearly states the criteria for who should be voted for, and that is what we need to be doing,” he stated.

He therefore called on citizens to protect the integrity of Ghana’s democracy by making informed electoral choices based on competence, integrity and leadership qualities, rather than financial inducements.

READ ALSO:

Livestream: ‘Democracy Is Not For Sale’ forum opens in Koforidua

Koforidua hosts ‘Democracy Is Not for Sale’ forum today to tackle money politics

According to him, one of the two pickup vehicles accompanying his team suffered a tyre-related fault, causing it to veer off the road and into the bush.

He said the accident occurred on Thursday.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Titus-Glover said the incident occurred while his vehicle was leading the campaign convoy.

“We were coming from Atebubu to Kumasi. We had 3 vehicles; my vehicle was in front, and we had 2 pickups,” he said.

He explained that the convoy comprised a security vehicle and an operational vehicle, with his Director of Operations, Prince Kumah, also joining the team.

Mr Titus-Glover said the team received a distress call while on the road informing them that one of the vehicles had lost a tyre and subsequently veered off the road.

“We were on our way when we had a call that one of the vehicles, the tire, had come off and the vehicle has veered into the bush,” he recounted.

He expressed gratitude that the incident did not result in any injuries.

“I thank God that nobody was hurt,” he said.

According to him, the affected vehicle has since been moved to a safe location and will be repaired before the campaign team resumes its activities.

“But we have been able to move it to a safe place. We will repair it as required and continue with our campaign,” he stated.

The incident comes barely a week after Mr Titus-Glover’s campaign team was involved in another accident in the Oti Region.

Despite the latest setback, he said the campaign remains on course, particularly as he prepares to engage delegates across the Ashanti Region.

Mr Titus-Glover disclosed that he met the Ashanti Regional NPP executives on Wednesday night and described the reception as overwhelming.

“I met with the Ashanti regional executives on Wednesday night and the reception was overwhelming,” he said.

He added that his focus would now shift to direct engagement with delegates as he seeks their support in his bid to become the party’s next National Organiser.

“So it is time to go down to the delegates,” he said.

Also read:

• Titus-Glover’s campaign team involved in accident near Dambai

• EOCO bail conditions must be reasonable – Titus-Glover

In making her case, Mimi Duah says the NPP needs a tested, experienced and grassroots-oriented woman who can unite the party’s women, strengthen the structures at the grassroots and help position the party for victory in the 2028 general elections.

According to her, Mavis Hawa Koomson possesses the qualities and experience required to lead the NPP Women’s Wing at a critical period in the party’s history.

Mimi Duah, in a statement, described Mavis Hawa Koomson as a leader with strong grassroots credentials and the qualities of a motherly figure who can bring party women together.

She believes her ability to forgive, foster unity, provide guidance and mediate disputes would help ensure that aggrieved members are reconciled and brought back into the fold.

For the NPP Women’s Wing to become stronger, she argues, there is a need for leadership that can listen, unite and create an environment where every woman feels valued and included.

Mimi Duah also pointed to Mavis Hawa Koomson’s extensive political experience as one of the key reasons she deserves the position.

Having served as a constituency women’s organiser, Member of Parliament and minister of state, she believes Mrs Koomson has accumulated the political and administrative experience necessary to effectively manage the party’s Women’s Wing.

That experience, she argues, will be particularly important as the NPP restructures and mobilises its members ahead of the 2028 elections.

Another major consideration, according to Mimi Duah, is the ability to mobilise resources to support women organisers across the country.

She believes Mrs Koomson’s established networks, business relationships and lobbying experience could be instrumental in securing logistics, training opportunities and other forms of support for regional, constituency and polling-station women organisers.

A well-resourced Women’s Wing, she argues, would enable organisers to work more effectively and strengthen the party’s presence at the grassroots.

Mimi Duah further argues that the NPP, being in opposition, needs a National Women’s Organiser who can provide bold, fearless and assertive leadership.

She believes women across the party’s regional, constituency and polling-station structures need a leader they can look up to for inspiration and direction as the party works to reorganise and regain power in 2028.

For her, Mrs Koomson’s record demonstrates that she has been tested in different areas of political leadership and understands the realities confronting women at the grassroots.

“We need a Women’s Organiser who has been tested, who is bold, who understands grassroots women, and who can lead us to victory in 2028. Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson is that leader.”

Mimi Duah maintains that the choice of the next National Women’s Organiser should ultimately be about finding a leader capable of uniting the Women’s Wing, strengthening its structures and mobilising women for electoral success.

In her view, Mavis Hawa Koomson represents that combination of experience, grassroots connection, resourcefulness and bold leadership needed to help the NPP Women’s Wing rise to the challenge of the 2028 elections.

Read the full statement below:

MIMI DUAH current Deputy National Women Organizer of New Patriotic Party Openly declares her support for Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson as the next National Women Organiser of the New Patriotic Party-NPP:

Why Vote for Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson?

1. Motherly Figure:- She is a true grassroots mother who rose from the ground and widely noted as a leader who easily forgives, Foster unity, Guidance, arbitrate to ensure all aggrieved party women are brought on board to ensure a unified women’s wing.
2. Experience Leader:- With her Acquired Experience as Former, constituency women’s organizer,member of parliament,minister of state consequently enabling her to administer good leadership as NPP’s National women Organizer.
3. ⁠Resourceful Women’s Wing:- Through her established Varse network, business contacts, lobbying for logistics, training and financial support for the various women organizers to ensure their effectiveness will be easy.
4. ⁠Provision of Fearless, Bold & Assertive Leadership:- NPP as a current opposition Party, the women’s Front need an epitome of inspiration our various regional,constituency and polling station women organizers can emulate as the party is earnestly re-organizing towards winning elections 2028.

We need a Women’s Organiser who has been tested, who is bold, who understands grassroots women, and who can lead us to victory in 2028. Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson is that leader. create a headline for this opinion piece

Speaking on Adom FM Dwaso Nsem, Mr Titus-Glover said his engagements with party members across the country had deepened his appreciation of the responsibility that comes with serving others.

He said the experience had reinforced his belief that humility and a genuine commitment to people should remain at the heart of political leadership.

“I have learnt and experienced a lot. But I take consolation in the fact that I was born to serve. Serve with humility, how to build relationships, and the fact that politics is about service to humanity and not self-gain or interests,” he said.

Mr Titus-Glover said his campaign had so far taken him across 15 regions and about 246 constituencies, giving him the opportunity to interact directly with party members and listen to their concerns.

“The campaign is going very well. I have been to 15 regions, which is about 246 constituencies. God willing, I will end it all in the Ashanti region next week,” he stated.

According to him, the reception from party members has also been encouraging, with many reminding him of his years of service and the record he has built within the party.

“And everywhere I go, people remind me about the fact that I have served diligently all these years and they know my track record,” he said.

He said the assurances and support from party members had strengthened his resolve to contribute to the NPP’s efforts to return to power in the 2028 general elections.

“They have assured to vote for me as the party seeks to recapture power in 2028,” he added.

Mr. Titus-Glover also disclosed that he takes notes during his engagements, documenting the concerns and suggestions raised by party members.

“After speaking, I take notes in my notebook writing their concerns and feedback,” he said.

He explained that the feedback gathered from the grassroots would serve as a guide as he seeks to help rebuild the party and secure victory for the NPP and its 2028 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“These will guide me into working to secure power for the NPP and Bawumia,” he said.

Also read:

• Titus Glover leads NPP National Organiser race – Global InfoAnalytics

• Greater Accra NPP constituency Chairmen endorse Titus-Glover as he files nomination for National Organiser…

Mr Aboagye believes the election will largely be determined by the ability of presidential candidates to present credible and practical solutions to the challenges confronting Ghanaians at the time.

He argued that voters had become more discerning and were increasingly looking beyond party colours when deciding who to support.

“When people are going to vote, they vote for the roads they don’t have. They vote for the schools they don’t have,” he said in an interview with Accra-based Starr FM.

According to him, workers and professionals across various sectors would similarly assess how the policies and proposals of presidential candidates could improve their livelihoods.

“The teacher is going to cast his vote based on what he thinks will benefit him. The nurse, the architect, the trotro driver, the taxi driver, all these people, they are going to get up in the morning to go and cast their vote, not because of the colours,” he stated.

Mr Aboagye said the central question for voters in 2028 would be which candidate had practical and credible answers to the problems facing the country at the time.

“That is why I am of the opinion, and I’m very convinced in that opinion, that in 2028, it’s not about what you did right or what you did wrong,” he said.

“It’s about who are the people coming to us to ask us for our votes. Now, amongst all the people asking for our vote, who amongst them is proposing solutions that address the challenges we face as of 2028?”

He said voters would compare the various presidential contenders and assess which of them had presented proposals capable of addressing their economic and social difficulties.

Mr Aboagye maintained that the electorate would not simply rely on the track records of the political parties backing the candidates when making their choice.

“They are going to put Dr Mahamudu Bawumia here, and put any other person also vying for president, and see who is telling us the things that will give us relief,” he said.

He further cautioned voters against being distracted by political rhetoric at the expense of issues that directly affect their lives.

“And that, for me, is why we should not allow any politician, especially those in government, to create a facade and continuously distract us from paying attention to the issues,” he said.

Mr Aboagye was emphatic that Dr Bawumia would win the 2028 election if voters remained focused on the issues and carefully assessed what each candidate had to offer.

“I can tell you, if the Ghanaian voter should focus on the issues and pay attention, no politician can beat Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2028 elections,” he stated.

Also read:

• Dennis Miracles Aboagye to Bawumia: ‘We will command the narrative’

• My sole objective is to make Bawumia President in 2028 – Miracles Aboagye

The forum, dubbed “Democracy Is Not For Sale,” is being organised by Adom Brands of the Multimedia Group Limited in partnership with the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation.

It is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua.

The engagement will bring together political actors, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, youth groups, community representatives and members of the public to discuss the increasing role of money in Ghanaian politics and its implications for democracy.

Key issues expected to dominate the discussion include vote buying, the rising cost of political participation, campaign financing and the use of illicit funds to influence electoral processes and outcomes.

The forum will also provide citizens with an opportunity to share their experiences and concerns while contributing ideas on how Ghana can strengthen transparency, accountability and fairness in the financing of political activities.

Money and political competition

The growing influence of money has become a major concern in Ghana’s electoral politics, with questions being raised about whether financial power is increasingly determining who gets the opportunity to participate and compete effectively.

The cost of securing party nominations, organising campaigns, mobilising supporters, transporting voters, producing campaign materials and maintaining political structures can be significant.

For individuals without substantial financial resources, these demands can create serious barriers to political participation.

The “Democracy Is Not For Sale” campaign therefore seeks to examine whether the rising cost of politics is gradually changing the nature of democratic competition in Ghana.

Beyond the amount of money spent, participants are expected to examine where campaign funds come from, how they are used, who benefits and whether financial influence can distort voters’ choices.

Vote buying

Vote buying is expected to be one of the key issues under discussion.

The practice of offering money, goods or other inducements to voters in exchange for electoral support has long been a concern among democracy advocates.

Critics argue that such practices can undermine the independence of voters and shift electoral decisions away from policies, competence and the long-term interests of communities.

The concern extends beyond direct cash payments, with campaign-period distribution of food, gifts, transportation and other benefits also raising questions about the extent to which financial inducements have become normalised in electoral competition.

Participants will be encouraged to reflect on the long-term consequences of such practices and how they affect the credibility of Ghana’s elections.

Beyond partisan politics

The organisers say the Koforidua dialogue is intended to go beyond partisan interests and focus on the broader question of the kind of democracy Ghana wants to build.

Discussions are expected to generate practical recommendations on campaign financing, electoral accountability and citizen participation while raising awareness about the risks associated with money politics.

The forum will ultimately challenge stakeholders to consider ways of creating a political environment where candidates can compete based on their ideas, policies, competence and ability to serve the public.

The message of the campaign remains clear: democracy should be a contest of ideas, leadership and vision, not a competition determined by who has the deepest pockets.

Few positions carry as much weight as General Secretary. The office sits at the heart of the party’s organisation, communication and day-to-day political machinery.

After the NPP’s heavy defeat in the 2024 general elections, the choice of who occupies the position has taken on added urgency.

Incumbent Justin Kodua Frimpong is seeking a second term and faces three challengers: former Subin MP Eugene Boakye Antwi, former Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro MP Sylvester Tetteh and current National Treasurer Charles Dwamena, popularly known as Dr China.

Each aspirant brings a distinct political background and a different assessment of what the NPP needs as it prepares for the 2028 elections.

Justin Frimpong Kodua: The continuity candidate

Kodua, a lawyer by training, rose through the Ashanti youth ranks before serving as Chief Executive of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in 2017.

He was appointed during former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s first term to lead efforts to address youth unemployment in Ghana.

In 2020, he served as Chairman of the Strategic Communications Committee of the Ashanti Region NPP ahead of the general elections. He also served as a member of the V20 Team, where he played a key role in facilitating training programmes across the country.

Elected General Secretary in 2022, Kodua is presenting himself as the candidate of continuity and institutional memory.

His pitch centres on strengthening grassroots structures, tightening internal systems and keeping the party focused on a return to power in 2028 under Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Supporters point to his organisational experience and legal background as assets at a time when the party needs discipline and effective management of its internal processes.

Eugene Boakye Antwi: The reformer

Eugene Boakye Antwi offers a contrasting profile.

A former Member of Parliament for Subin and former Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, he combines parliamentary experience with a background in banking and administration, including experience in the United Kingdom.

His campaign has focused on unity, structural reform and modernisation.

He has spoken about digitising party operations, decentralising decision-making and restoring organisational discipline.

For Boakye Antwi, the General Secretary’s role is less about maintaining the status quo and more about deliberately rebuilding the party after its electoral setback.

Sylvester Tetteh: The grassroots mobiliser

Former Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro MP and former Chief Executive of the National Youth Authority, Sylvester Tetteh brings extensive experience in Greater Accra politics and grassroots mobilisation.

He has described the current moment as one that requires a “wartime general” rather than a peacetime administrator.

His campaign places emphasis on strong political communication, energetic organisation and reconnecting the party’s leadership with its grassroots.

Having contested and organised in difficult political environments, Tetteh argues that the NPP needs a General Secretary who can communicate forcefully while ensuring that the party’s machinery remains active and responsive in opposition.

Charles Dwamena: The systems man

Current National Treasurer Charles Dwamena enters the race with a reputation for financial administration and systems reform.

A former Deputy Ambassador to China, he has spoken about digitising party finances, creating mentorship pathways for younger members and strengthening welfare structures within the organisation.

His message centres on competence, accountability and rebuilding trust through orderly management of the party’s resources and internal processes.

One office, four visions

The contest unfolds against a clear backdrop: the NPP is still grappling with the lessons of its 2024 defeat.

Delegates must decide whether the party is best served by continuity under a sitting General Secretary or by a change of direction under one of the three challengers.

Each aspirant believes he can help restore the party’s organisational strength and electoral competitiveness.

Together, the four men offer the NPP a genuine choice.

Kodua represents continuity and institutional experience. Boakye Antwi offers reform and structural modernisation. Tetteh brings a strong emphasis on mobilisation and political communication, while Dwamena is making the case for administrative and financial systems reform.

The delegates who gather on October 3 will determine which combination of experience, temperament and vision best matches the NPP’s needs after its 2024 election defeat.

The decision will not merely fill an office.

It will provide an important signal of how the NPP intends to organise itself for the difficult task of returning to power in 2028 — and how it interprets the lessons of its recent past.

In a statement dated Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Ms Lomokie said the decision followed deep reflection, prayer, consultations and careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding her decision.

She said although the decision to step away from the contest was difficult, she remained grateful to the women, friends, colleagues, delegates and supporters who believed in her vision and supported her throughout the campaign.

“I entered this race with genuine conviction, a clear vision and an unwavering belief in what our women can achieve when given the opportunity, support and leadership they deserve,” she said.

Ms Lomokie also expressed appreciation to her campaign team for standing by her and contributing to the journey.

According to her, although the campaign would not continue to its conclusion, she hoped the relationships and bonds developed during the period would endure.

She stressed that her decision to withdraw from the contest did not mean she was abandoning her commitment to the empowerment of women, the growth of the NPP or the development of Ghana.

“Stepping back from the contest does not mean stepping away from the cause. My commitment to the empowerment of women, the growth of our Party and the advancement of Ghana remains as strong as ever,” she stated.

Ms Lomokie said leadership sometimes required knowing when to move forward and, at other times, having the wisdom and courage to pause.

She said she was leaving the contest with gratitude, dignity and valuable lessons while wishing all the remaining candidates well.

Ms Lomokie further called on party members to place the broader interests of the NPP above individual ambitions and work towards the party’s unity, renewal and victory.

“I wish every candidate well and pray that, above all personal interests, we will remember the greater purpose: the unity, renewal and victory of the New Patriotic Party,” she said.

She concluded by indicating that her political journey would continue despite her withdrawal from the race.

“My journey continues. My convictions remain. And there is still much work to be done,” she added.

Also read:

• Tolon election violence suspect declared NPP Youth Organiser – Muntaka

• Wontumi withdraws from NPP national chairmanship race, urges support for Bawumia

The party’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Rashid Tanko Computer, says the NDC will instead rely on Ghana’s established security agencies to maintain security during elections and other political engagements.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, Mr Tanko Computer said the party remains committed to complying with Ghana’s laws and allowing state security institutions to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

“There is no need for us to go and build our own vigilante or any security to help us in the next election or any activity,” Tanko Computer said.

“The NDC will not go that path. We are going to make sure that we respect the laws of the country. The state security is in charge of everything,” he added.

According to him, the NDC followed the same approach during the 2024 general elections, relying on state security personnel rather than forming vigilante groups or deploying private security teams.

“We did it in 2024. In fact, you saw that in 2024, we didn’t have any vigilante group. We didn’t have any personal bodyguards or anything,” he said.

“We relied on the state security and beat MPP to it,” he added.

His comments come amid renewed discussions on the enforcement of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), which seeks to prevent political vigilantism and related activities.

Mr Tanko Computer said the NDC would support initiatives aimed at finding a lasting solution to political vigilantism and consider proposals emerging from the National Policy Dialogue on Vigilantism organised by Election Watch Ghana.

He stressed that the party wants future elections to take place in a peaceful atmosphere, allowing citizens to participate without fear or intimidation.

“We want to have a peaceful environment, peaceful electoral processes, so that we can walk out and go to polling stations and vote freely, decide who should lead us,” he said.

Mr Tanko Computer also raised concerns about the previous administration, alleging that some former vigilante members were subsequently absorbed into state security structures.

Also read:

• National Security raises alarm over rebranding of political vigilante groups

• No vigilante group can defy a determined police force – CDD-Ghana’s Dr. Kojo Asante

According to the Minister, Mr Copshe has been linked to the December 7, 2024 incident, which resulted in the death of one person and left several others injured.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, August 24, 2026, Mr Muntaka said the incident followed a confrontation over alleged vote-buying, which later escalated into a shooting.

He said armed men allegedly opened fire indiscriminately, including at an NDC pavilion, resulting in the death of Sayibu Haruna and injuries to several others.

The Interior Minister said investigations established that Mr Copshe had left the community following the incident and remained at large, yet nomination forms were subsequently obtained on his behalf for the NPP’s internal election.

“The prime suspects in that matter are Alhaji Abdul Latif Copshe and one Sankara. Efforts to apprehend the suspects who, since the incident, have relocated from the community, are yet to be successful,” he said.

Mr Muntaka said despite Mr Copshe’s absence, he was allowed to contest the Constituency Youth Organiser position unopposed and was eventually declared the winner.

“It has been established, however, that despite his absence from the community, forms were picked for suspect Alhaji Abdul-Latif Copshe to contest unopposed in the New Patriotic Party’s internal election as the Constituency Youth Organiser. He was declared the winner in the said election and retained as the Constituency Youth Organiser,” he added.

The Minister further disclosed that police investigators had recovered three suspected pistols and one CZ rifle in connection with the Nyankpala shooting.

He said forensic analysis showed that one of the pistols had been used to fire three spent shells recovered from the scene.

“Efforts are continuing to monitor and arrest the suspects,” Mr Muntaka said.

Mr Muntaka also provided an update on investigations into the December 7, 2020 shooting at the Odorkor Police Church collation centre in the Ablekuma Central Constituency.

The incident claimed the life of Abass Ibrahim and left five others injured.

According to the Minister, the main suspect remains an unidentified soldier who was captured on video firing a weapon during the incident.

Another suspect, Collins Quarcoo, alias Kola, was identified during investigations into one of the injured victims, Pius Asiedu Kwanin.

Mr Muntaka said the Military High Command released four soldiers on August 4, 2025, to facilitate investigations. The soldiers confirmed that they were present at the scene but denied knowing the individual captured in the footage.

He said the identity of the soldier seen in the video had consequently not been established.

The Minister added that Mr Quarcoo, alias Kola, had been charged with causing harm and using an offensive weapon and was arraigned before Circuit Court 4 in Accra.

Investigations into both incidents, including efforts to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects, are ongoing.

Also read:

• Election violence: One suspect discharged, 25 facing trial – Muntaka

• Asiedu Nketia demands accountability for 2024 election violence

NPP Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, said the position is currently held by Ibrahim Abdel Wahab and not Mr Copshe, who is reportedly being sought by security agencies over the violence.

The clarification follows comments by Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak on Monday, August 24, 2026, that Mr Copshe had been declared the winner of the NPP’s Constituency Youth Organiser election despite reportedly leaving the community after the incident.

The December 7, 2024 incident at Nyankpala reportedly followed a confrontation over alleged vote-buying and resulted in the death of one person, with several others sustaining injuries.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, Mr Mohammed disputed the Interior Minister’s account and maintained that Mr Copshe was not the party’s current Youth Organiser in Tolon.

“First and foremost, the minister did not speak the truth yesterday,” he said, insisting that Ibrahim Abdel Wahab was elected to the position.

“We have not elected such a person as a youth organiser in Tolon. Our youth organiser is Ibrahim Abdel Wahab,” Mr Mohammed stated.

Mr Mohammed acknowledged that he knew Mr Copshe but explained that he had previously served as the party’s Youth Organiser and no longer occupied the position.

“He previously held that position. He is not holding that position now. When did that tenure expire? It expired at the time we were conducting the constituency election in July,” he said.

On reports that Mr Copshe had left the area and was wanted by security agencies, the NPP Deputy General Secretary said the responsibility for apprehending him rested with the security agencies.

“That is the work of the security agencies to continue to look for him,” he said.

However, the discussion later introduced a possible distinction between the positions of Constituency Youth Organiser and Constituency Organiser.

Host of Eyewitness News, Umaru Sanda, suggested that although Mr Copshe may not have been elected Constituency Youth Organiser, he could have been elected Constituency Organiser despite being wanted by the security agencies.

Mr Mohammed said he could not immediately confirm that claim without checking the party’s official records.

He explained that while he had personally verified the records for the Youth Organiser position, confirming the Constituency Organiser would require further checks because he was dealing with records from all 276 constituencies.

“I can verify that, unless I verify it from the official report, because I don’t need to speak to people just because somebody sent in that information. I need to verify before I speak to you,” he said.

Also read:

• Election violence unlikely to end soon – Criminologist warns

• Election violence must be condemned by all – Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum

Speaking after filing his nomination at the party’s headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, August 25, Mr Afoko said his decision was driven by his belief that the NPP has the capacity to recover from its recent challenges and return to government.

He said his consultations with party elders, regional and constituency executives, polling station officers, communicators, young people, women, Members of Parliament and ordinary party members had revealed a strong desire for unity.

“I have heard your frustrations. I have heard your hopes. And I have heard something even more powerful: The NPP wants to come together again,” he said.

Mr Afoko said his campaign would be built around three key objectives: reunite, reorganise and recapture.

On unity, he pledged that if elected, he would not use the chairmanship to punish opponents or reward factions.

“If you elect me National Chairman, I will come into office with no enemies to punish, no scores to settle and no faction to reward at the expense of another,” he said.

“I return without bitterness. I return without rancour. I return because this Party is bigger than any individual—including Paul Afoko.”

He also appealed to his fellow contenders to see one another as brothers and fellow members of the same political family despite their differences in the chairmanship race.

Focus on grassroots

Mr Afoko said rebuilding the NPP must begin from the polling station level, arguing that the party’s strength should grow through electoral areas and constituencies before being coordinated at the regional and national levels.

He pledged to strengthen the party’s communications machinery, empower constituencies, improve its electoral systems and revive the role of TESCON as an incubator for future leaders.

He also called for greater participation of women and young people in the party’s organisational structures.

“The people at the grassroots must feel the presence of their Party not only when we need their votes, but throughout the political cycle,” he said.

According to him, the NPP must begin preparing for the 2028 election immediately rather than waiting until the election year.

“The NPP cannot wait until 2028 to become an election-winning machine. We must build that machine today,” he said.

Pledges support for Bawumia

Mr Afoko also pledged his support for NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who has already been elected to lead the party into the 2028 presidential election.

He said the chairmanship and flagbearership should complement each other, with the flagbearer leading the party’s national electoral campaign while the National Chairman ensures that the organisational structures needed to translate that campaign into votes are in place.

“If you elect me National Chairman, I will work loyally and tirelessly with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to return the New Patriotic Party to government in 2028,” he said.

Rejects geographical argument

Mr Afoko also rejected arguments that Dr Bawumia’s northern background should influence the choice of the next National Chairman.

He urged delegates to assess candidates based on competence, integrity, experience and temperament rather than geographical considerations.

“I am not seeking to become Chairman of northern Ghana. I am seeking to become National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party of Ghana,” he said.

He argued that the NPP is a national political party and should not create geographical barriers that are not provided for in its constitution.

“The elephant has no northern leg and southern leg. Every leg belongs to the same elephant—and every leg must be strong if the elephant is to move forward,” he said.

Says he has no slate

Mr Afoko also declared that he has no preferred candidates for the other national executive positions.

He said delegates should be free to choose the candidates they believe are best suited for the various positions.

“I do not need an Afoko team at national headquarters. I need an NPP team,” he said.

“I am not contesting to become Chairman of a faction. I am contesting to become Chairman of the New Patriotic Party.”

Mr Afoko, who previously served as National Chairman, said his experience in the position would help him address the party’s current challenges.

He urged delegates to judge his record and consider the lessons he had learnt from his previous tenure.

“I do not ask you to return me to office simply because of what I did yesterday. I ask you to elect me because what I learnt yesterday can help us win tomorrow,” he said.

Mr Afoko ultimately appealed to delegates to support his bid to lead the party, promising to serve all members regardless of their faction, region or previous support.

He said his ultimate goal was to reunite the party, strengthen its grassroots structures and position it to recapture power in 2028.

“Reunite the Party. Reorganise the Party. Recapture power in 2028,” he said.

“Together, we shall rise again. Together, we shall rebuild. And together, by the grace of Almighty God and with the confidence of the Ghanaian people, we shall recapture power in 2028.”

Also read:

• NPP’s future depends on experience, unity and moving beyond past grievances — Paul Afoko

• NPP must regain trust of businesses through new prosperity agenda – Afoko

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series, the Minister said one of the 26 suspects has since been discharged, while the remaining 25 are currently facing trial.

He added that the police are still pursuing 13 other suspects who have been identified in connection with the various incidents but remain at large.

Mr Muntaka assured that efforts were underway to arrest the outstanding suspects and support the prosecution of those already before the courts.

“The public will be duly informed of further developments as investigations and prosecution progress, and the police are also hoping that members of the public who have information on all these other 13 persons being pursued will be most welcome to provide that additional information,” he said.

The Minister said the cases form part of investigations launched following President John Dramani Mahama’s directive for a comprehensive probe into election-related violence recorded during the 2020 and 2024 polls.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that anyone found culpable is made to face the law.

Mr Muntaka also appealed to the public to provide credible information that could assist the police in locating the remaining suspects.

Also read:

• Asiedu Nketia demands accountability for 2024 election violence

• Political impunity fueling election violence — Dr. Asah Asante

According to him, Wontumi’s immediate priority should be securing his freedom rather than contesting the NPP National Chairmanship race.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Kwarteng said the circumstances surrounding Wontumi’s incarceration raise questions about the purpose of picking the forms for him when his bail application is still pending.

“You have applied for bail, and it is pending, while his lawyer is also having some issues with the judiciary. So what is the basis for picking the forms for who to vote for who?” he questioned.

He argued that the fundamental effect of imprisonment is the loss of personal liberty and, therefore, Wontumi’s immediate concern should be regaining his freedom.

“Wontumi’s priority now is not to become a chairman. His biggest priority is to gain his freedom, not chairmanship.”

Mr Kwarteng questioned whether there was any established precedent that would allow a person in Wontumi’s current situation to go through the party’s vetting process, particularly if his participation would require special intervention.

“Even if your government was in power, precedent will not allow it because who are you writing a letter to allow you to go for a vetting?” he asked.

He said rather than focusing on the NPP chairmanship contest, Wontumi’s supporters should concentrate on lawful ways of helping Wontumi secure bail.

“If we have something to do for him, it is for us to pray and use the right channels to secure his bail,” he said.

Mr Kwarteng further questioned whether Wontumi himself would choose the chairmanship over his freedom if he were presented with such a choice.

“Because even if a powerful man of God comes out today to say Wontumi stands a high chance of winning the chairmanship race but has to choose between that and his freedom, do you think it will be the chairmanship? For what?”

He therefore urged the party and Wontumi’s supporters to exercise restraint in their actions and public commentary, warning that attempts to push ahead with the political contest could potentially affect the pending bail application.

“His freedom is what matters, so they should exercise restraint and not prejudice the judge to spoil his chances on the bail,” he urged.

The decision of Chairman Wontumi’s team to pick nomination forms for him last week has sparked mixed reactions, with many describing it as misplaced.

Executive Director and Head of Research at Global InfoAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah, for instance, has urged the NPP to focus on rebuilding its electoral fortunes ahead of the next general election rather than making a political statement by choosing a chairman who is serving a prison sentence.

He further claimed that the NPP has already lost significant support among elite voters and warned that the party’s current approach could make it more difficult to win back that constituency.

Also read:

• You’re acting lawlessly – Tanko Computer slams NPP over Wontumi’s chairmanship bid

• NPP chairmanship: Electing Wontumi from prison not possible; he is not Mandela – …

Mr Kodua was accompanied by several Members of Parliament, regional and constituency executives, as he formally submitted his nomination and reaffirmed his bid to retain the position for another term.

Speaking after the filing, Mr Kodua expressed confidence in his chances of securing another four-year mandate, saying the support he has received from the party’s grassroots has strengthened his belief in victory.

He also assured the NPP National Elections Committee that his campaign would focus on issues and the future of the party rather than insults or personal attacks as he tours the country.

Mr Kodua said he would seek to engage party members respectfully and present his vision for strengthening the NPP ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The Chairman of the NPP National Elections Committee, Frederick Opare Ansah, urged all aspirants to conduct decent campaigns and uphold the integrity of the party throughout the electoral process.

He encouraged candidates and their supporters to focus on issues and avoid conduct that could deepen divisions within the party.

Also read:

• ‘Home has spoken’ – Justin Kodua Frimpong says as Ashanti delegates back re-election bid

• North East Region has endorsed my leadership – Justin Kodua

The National Chairperson position has attracted five aspirants: Paul Afoko, John Boadu, Boakye Agyarko, Sammy Crabbe and Bernard Antwi Boasiako.

The incumbent National Chairman, Stephen Ayesu Ntim, is not seeking re-election.

For the General Secretary position, incumbent Justin Kodua Frimpong is seeking a second term and faces competition from Eugene Boakye Antwi, Sylvester Tetteh and Charles Dwamena.

Eight aspirants have picked forms for the National Organiser position. They are Glover Daniel Nii Kwartei, Salam Mustapha, Kwame Prempeh, Archibald Korletey Gamor, Emmanuel Korsi Bodja, Nana Kwadjo Agyei Yeboah, Daniel Agyenim Boateng and Ali Maiga Halidu.

The National Youth Organiser position has attracted six aspirants: Clement Opoku Gyamfi, Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah, Michael Osei Boateng, Vera Oye Bram-Larbi, Kumi Alfred Ababio and Abanga Fuseini Yakubu.

Three aspirants have picked forms to contest the National Women Organiser position. They are Mavis Hawa Koomson, Perpetual Ekua Lomokie Akwada and Safia Mohammed.

The National Communications Director position has two aspirants — Dennis Miracles Aboagye and Evans Kodo.

Gordon Asare Bediako, who had expressed interest in the Communications Director position, withdrew from the race on Saturday and endorsed Aboagye.

The National Vice Chairperson position has attracted 13 aspirants. They are Henry Nana Boakye, Kojo Fosu Boadu, Mustapha Abdul Hameed, Samuel Pyne, Richard Ahiagba, Abena Pokua Boaitey Amoah, Alhaji Masawudu Osman, Yaa Amponsah Frimpong, George Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, Horma Miez, Richard Oti Aboagye, Bright Esselfie Kumi and Nana Akomea.

The National Treasurer position has four aspirants: Alfred Kojo Thompson, Collins Nuntwiri Nuamah, Tahiru Issahaku Moomin and Ahmed Ruka Saida.

Five aspirants have picked forms for the National Nasara Organiser position. They are Issaka Muazo Kunata, Salim Bamba, Razak Tahiru Maiga, Awal Mohammed and Mohammed Ali Suraj.

The NPP National Officers Elections Committee has clarified that the purchase or collection of a nomination form does not, by itself, constitute a valid nomination or candidature.

According to the committee, an aspirant becomes a nominee only after properly filing the completed nomination form and accompanying documents within the prescribed period, subject to vetting and other processes required under the party’s constitution and election regulations.

Filing of completed nomination forms commenced on Sunday, August 23, and will close on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

The nominees will subsequently be vetted from Monday, August 31, to Thursday, September 3, 2026.

The committee said the date for balloting had not yet been fixed, explaining that it wanted the filing, vetting and possible appeals processes to be completed before determining the final field of candidates.

Also read:

• Afoko to file nomination for NPP National Chairmanship on Tuesday

• I’ll open the door for aggrieved NPP members to return – Boakye Agyarko

• John Boadu leads NPP chairmanship race as 47% remain undecided – Global InfoAnalytics

According to him, the NPP must focus on rebuilding its electoral fortunes ahead of the next general election rather than making a political statement by choosing a chairman who is serving a prison sentence.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, Mr Dankwah said the NPP must be realistic about the political implications of electing Mr Boasiako from prison.

“I don’t think he will win. Because you see, the NPP needs a direction. They need to find a way to win the next election. Electing Wontumi from prison will not make that possible. They should be realistic about these things. Wontumi is not Mandela.”

Mr Dankwah argued that Ghana’s electorate has changed significantly, with a growing proportion of voters attaining higher levels of education.

He said the changing profile of voters has implications for how political parties position themselves and the type of leadership voters expect from them.

“Polling shows that the majority of Ghanaian voters are highly educated now. Nearly 70% of them have senior high and above qualifications,” he said.

According to the pollster, the changing profile of Ghanaian voters means the NPP must adopt a political strategy capable of appealing to a broader and more sophisticated electorate if it hopes to return to power.

He further claimed that the NPP has already lost significant support among elite voters and warned that the party’s current approach could make it more difficult to win back that constituency.

“So, the political situation has changed dramatically in this country. And these are the people who want a new type of politics. And already the polls are showing that NPP has lost their elite voters,” he said.

Mr Dankwah maintained that electing Mr Boasiako while incarcerated would not help the NPP reverse that trend.

“This shenanigans will not attract elite voters to NPP. And these are the people they need to start winning their hearts and minds to win the next election,” he added.

His comments come amid controversy over Mr Boasiako’s decision to contest the NPP National Chairmanship position despite being incarcerated.

His campaign team has picked up nomination forms on his behalf, setting the stage for a potentially contentious contest over his eligibility and the broader political implications of his bid.

Mr Dankwah’s assessment places the controversy within the wider question of how the NPP intends to reposition itself following its defeat in the 2024 general election.

For him, the party’s immediate priority should be identifying a leadership direction that can broaden its appeal and rebuild trust among voters ahead of the next electoral contest.

Also read:

• Wontumi eligible to pick NPP nomination form, but vetting will determine his fate –…

Mr Tanko described the development as a demonstration of what he considers lawlessness within the NPP, questioning how a person serving a lengthy custodial sentence can seek to lead a political party.

His comments on Joy FM’s Top Story come after Mr Boasiako’s campaign team picked up nomination forms on his behalf for the NPP National Chairmanship contest.

The development was confirmed by Ewuradwoa Coleman, Communications Director of the Wontumi campaign team, who said the team remained committed to his bid for the position.

Mr Boasiako, who is currently the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment following his conviction by the Accra High Court over offences connected to illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

He has appealed against his conviction and sentence and is pursuing bail pending the determination of the appeal.

The NPP’s 2025 amended and ratified Constitution contains a specific provision dealing with the eligibility of members who have been convicted or sentenced by a court.

Article 3, under “Disqualification of a Member,” states that a member is disqualified from holding any office or contesting any election in the party if the member has been convicted and/or sentenced by a court of competent jurisdiction for certain offences.

Importantly, Article 3(5)(1)(b)(ii) provides that a member is disqualified where the offence is punishable by death or by a sentence of not less than 10 years, unless 10 years have elapsed after the member served the sentence or the member has been granted a full pardon.

The same provision also disqualifies a member who has been convicted and/or sentenced for an offence involving dishonesty, fraud or moral turpitude, among other categories of offences. It further states that a member who is not in good standing is disqualified from holding office or contesting an election.

The constitutional provision is significant in Mr Boasiako’s case because the sentence imposed on him is 20 years, well above the 10-year threshold specified by the party’s own rules.

On the face of the 2025 constitutional provision, therefore, his current conviction and sentence raise a direct eligibility question that the NPP’s electoral authorities would have to resolve before allowing his candidature to proceed.

Also read:

• Wontumi’s campaign team picks up NPP National Chairman nomination forms while he’s in prison

• Wontumi eligible to pick NPP nomination form, but vetting will determine his fate –…

The survey, released on August 20, 2026, puts John Boadu at 27% support, followed by Boakye Agyarko with 15%. Former NPP National Chairman Paul Afoko is also included in the poll.

However, Boakye Agyarko’s spokesperson, Vincent Frimpong Manu, has questioned the relevance of the findings, arguing that the survey did not focus on the delegates who will ultimately vote in the NPP’s national executive elections.

Speaking to Accra-based Citi News, he said the survey could not be taken as an accurate reflection of the race because its respondents were not drawn from the party’s electoral college.

“This did not target those who are actually going to vote,” he said.

Mr Frimpong Manu also pointed out that the survey was conducted before the NPP’s recent regional executive elections, which he believes could alter the composition and preferences of delegates who will take part in the national contest.

He is therefore calling on Global InfoAnalytics to conduct its next survey among delegates who will constitute the electoral college.

“What we would urge him to do is to actually focus on those who are going to form the electoral college when he gets the album, and then we would see where it is tilting towards. That would be the true picture,” he stated.

Despite the survey results, the campaign team maintains that its internal assessment puts Boakye Agyarko ahead of his rivals.

“From what we know, Honorable Boakye Agyarko is already in the lead,” he added.

The Global InfoAnalytics survey also places John Boadu ahead in terms of favourability among the three contenders.

He recorded a 61% favourable rating and 12% unfavourable rating, giving him a net approval rating of 49%.

Boakye Agyarko had a 50% favourable rating and 17% unfavourable rating, translating into a net approval rating of 34%.

Paul Afoko recorded a 50% favourable rating and 18% unfavourable rating, resulting in a net approval rating of 32%.

The regional results further show John Boadu leading in several regions, including Bono East, Greater Accra, North East, Northern, Upper East and Central.

Boakye Agyarko, however, remains competitive in some regions, recording 23% support in Bono East, 22% in Greater Accra and 21% in the Central Region.

The disagreement over the survey highlights the growing contest within the NPP ahead of its national executive elections, with candidates increasingly seeking to gauge their support among the delegates who will ultimately determine the outcome.

Also read:

• Titus Glover leads NPP National Organiser race – Global InfoAnalytics

• John Boadu leads NPP chairmanship race as 47% remain undecided – Global InfoAnalytics

Hajia Safia announced her decision during an engagement with the Council of Elders, where she presented her aspirations and sought guidance from the party’s senior leadership ahead of the upcoming internal elections.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for her to share her vision for the NPP’s women’s wing and outline how she intends to contribute to strengthening the party’s structures.

Having served as Deputy National Women’s Organiser, Hajia Safia has been actively involved in mobilising and organising women across the party.

Her decision to seek the substantive position is expected to add competition to the race as the NPP prepares for its national internal elections.

During her engagement with the elders, she emphasised the importance of party unity, stronger grassroots mobilisation, inclusiveness and increased participation of women in the affairs of the NPP.

Her prospective candidature is likely to generate interest among party women as the NPP seeks to rebuild and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The National Women’s Organiser is responsible for coordinating the party’s women’s structures across the country, mobilising women at the grassroots and promoting their active participation in party activities.

Hajia Safia Mohammed’s decision to formally notify the Council of Elders marks a significant step in her bid to lead the NPP’s women’s wing at a time when the party is seeking renewed energy and stronger organisation across its structures.

Also read:

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• NPP internal elections: Hajia Safia Mohammed pays nomination fees for incumbent women organisers across…

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, Mr Konadu urged both his supporters and opponents to reconcile and work together in the interest of the NPP.

He also offered a personal apology to anyone who may have been offended by his words or actions during the campaign, asking for forgiveness as the party moves beyond the internal contest.

Mr Addo extended an olive branch to his former opponents, saying he holds no resentment towards anyone who may have spoken or acted against him in an effort to prevent his election.

“If I have done anything against anybody or said anything against anybody, I beg you, please, let them forgive me. I’m kneeling down in front of everybody; let them forgive me.

“Anybody who has done anything against me or said anything against me because they wanted to win me out of my heart, no matter the medium, I forgive everybody,” he said.

Mr. Addo also called on party members to allow unity to take precedence over the disagreements and tensions that may have emerged during the election campaign.

He said the NPP must now focus on rebuilding its structures and working together towards the party’s broader political objectives.

Mr Konadu pledged to lead efforts to unite the party in the Eastern Region and strengthen its grassroots support ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He also expressed his commitment to working with party members to secure victory for the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in the next presidential election.

Mr. Addo polled 405 votes to defeat his sole contender, Albert Kwadwo Boateng-Agyemang, who obtained 292 votes.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem following the NPP’s regional executive elections, Mr Butey acknowledged that while Abronye had faced criticism over some of his utterances and conduct, his efforts on the ground contributed significantly to his victory.

According to him, some party members had previously called for Abronye’s removal over comments and behaviour they considered to be anti-party.

However, he said the election was ultimately a contest, and Abronye demonstrated that he had worked hard to win the confidence of the delegates.

“Abronye’s reelection is not surprising. It was a contest and for him, he really worked hard. But the only problem people had was his utterances and certain behaviour they considered anti-party, and they were calling for his dismissal,” he stated.

Mr Butey said Abronye’s victory, therefore, reflects the decision of the delegates, who ultimately had the power to determine who should lead the party at the regional level.

Abronye, popularly known as Abronye DC, retained the Bono Regional chairmanship at the elections held on Saturday, August 15.

He secured 201 votes, defeating his closest challengers, Yaw Afful, who polled 44 votes, and Joseph Mensah, who obtained 31 votes.

The victory gives Abronye another mandate to lead the NPP’s regional structures as the party begins preparations towards the 2028 general elections.

Mr Butey said the outcome of the 2024 general elections should serve as a lesson for all party members, noting that the electoral setback affected everyone within the NPP, including its regional leadership.

“The loss of the 2024 election was a wind of change that hit everyone, and he was no exception,” he noted.

He described the regional elections as generally successful, saying the party was now ready to work with all the newly elected executives, regardless of the candidates they supported during the contests.

“All over, the election went well, and we’re ready to work with all the executives elected because the delegates have spoken.”

Mr Butey’s comments come as the NPP begins reorganising its regional structures and positioning itself for the 2028 elections, with the newly elected executives expected to help strengthen the party at the grassroots and improve its electoral fortunes.

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According to Mr Butey, claims of bad blood between the two NPP figures are mere speculation, insisting that there is no tension between them.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he said COKA has been an active member of the party for a long time and deserved the opportunity to lead the region after his previous unsuccessful attempt to secure the chairmanship.

“There is no bad blood or rift between Kokofu and COKA. The claims are mere speculations. COKA has been around for a long time, and he needed to win because the last time he contested with Wontumi, Wontumi didn’t have it easy,” he stated.

Mr Butey said he has confidence in COKA’s ability to deliver in his new role, adding that his leadership capacity should not be in doubt.

“I believe he can do the work and that is not in contention.”

He pointed to COKA’s previous role as chairman of regional chairmen during the NPP’s time in government as evidence of his experience and ability to mobilise the party.

“He was the chairman of chairmen when we won 16 seats, so I have faith in him that he will do the work even though he doesn’t talk much.”

Mr Butey’s comments come after COKA was elected Ashanti Regional Chairman in the NPP’s regional executive elections held on Saturday, August 15.

He secured 663 votes to beat his sole contender, Dr Kokofu, who obtained 269 votes.

He succeeds Chairman Wontumi, who had served as Ashanti Regional Chairman since 2014 and did not seek re-election.

Mr Butey expressed confidence that the new leadership would work to strengthen the NPP’s structures in the Ashanti Region and improve the party’s fortunes ahead of the 2028 general elections.

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Mr Woanyah, who has secured a third consecutive term as Regional Chairman, said the NPP would work to make significant gains in the Volta Region and challenge the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He made the commitment in an interview with Adom News after being sworn into office following the party’s regional executive elections.

Mr Woanyah retained the chairmanship after polling 169 votes to defeat his contender, Joseph Homenya, who obtained 148 votes.

He said his renewed mandate came with the responsibility to unite the party, strengthen its grassroots structures and mobilise support across the region ahead of the 2028 elections.

According to him, the NPP’s electoral fortunes in the region can be improved through unity, effective grassroots mobilisation and a well-planned campaign strategy.

Mr Woanyah expressed confidence that the party could increase its presidential vote share in the Volta Region if members worked together towards a common goal.

He also urged party members and supporters to put the regional elections behind them and focus on the broader objective of strengthening the NPP ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He said his priority during his new term would be to build a stronger, united and more competitive NPP capable of making significant electoral gains in the region.

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