The latest confrontation between the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has reached precisely that moment.

This is no longer merely another episode in Ghana’s increasingly aggressive political discourse.

It has moved beyond arguments over the economy, GoldBod, the Bank of Ghana or the reported US$1.7 billion losses associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

It has become a question of reputation, public trust and the dignity of high political office.

Sammy Gyamfi has described Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” and has challenged him to sue if he believes the allegation is false.

He has gone further, suggesting that the Minority Leader’s failure to sue amounts to an inability to refute the accusation.

That challenge should not be ignored. Afenyo Markin must either take the matter to court and demand that Sammy Gyamfi prove the allegation, or seriously consider whether he can continue occupying the office of Minority Leader while allowing such a grave allegation to hang over his head.

This is not about political pride. It is about the office. The Minority Leader is not just another politician.

Alexander Afenyo Markin is currently the Minority Leader of Ghana’s Ninth Parliament and Member of Parliament for Effutu.

The Minority Leader is one of the most consequential parliamentary offices in the Republic.

He is the principal political voice of the opposition in Parliament.

He leads the parliamentary force whose constitutional and democratic responsibility includes scrutinizing government, challenging executive decisions and demanding accountability.

That office therefore carries a reputation larger than the individual who occupies it. When the person sitting in that chair is publicly labelled an “extortionist”, the appropriate response cannot simply be another press conference, another radio interview or another political insult.

There must be clarity. If the allegation is false, prove it false. If it is true, the Ghanaian public deserves to know the truth.

And if it cannot be established either way, then the proper place to settle the matter is not the microphone. It is the court. This is where Afenyo Markin must draw the line
Sammy Gyamfi has not merely criticized Afenyo Markin’s politics. Political criticism is normal.

A politician can be called incompetent, arrogant, ineffective, hypocritical or even politically misguided.

Those are harsh political judgments, and politicians must develop thick skins.

But “extortionist” carries a different weight. It suggests conduct involving the improper extraction of money or benefit through pressure or coercion.

That is a serious accusation against anyone.
It becomes even more serious when directed at the Minority Leader of the Parliament of Ghana.

Mr Gyamfi has publicly challenged Afenyo Markin to sue him and substantiate the allegation.

So what exactly is stopping the Minority Leader? If Afenyo Markin believes the allegation is defamatory and completely without foundation, he should instruct his lawyers to act.

Not tomorrow. Not after another round of political interviews. Act.
Let Sammy Gyamfi enter court and prove that Afenyo Markin is an extortionist.

Let the evidence speak.
Let the documents speak. Let the witnesses speak. Let the law speak.

That would be far more powerful than ten political rallies and a hundred angry interviews. Parliament deserves better than political mudslinging.

There is another dimension to this matter that should concern every Ghanaian.
The fight began around allegations concerning GoldBod and losses reportedly exceeding US$1.7 billion under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

The IMF has indeed reported losses exceeding US$1.7 billion in connection with the programme.
However, that does not automatically establish that GoldBod alone caused the entire loss.

The institutional responsibilities and transaction structures require proper examination.
GoldBod, for its part, has pointed to its audited 2025 accounts and says the institution recorded an operational surplus of about GH¢907 million and an overall surplus of about GH¢5.4 billion.

The Information Services Department has also reported GoldBod’s position that the Auditor-General’s audit found no adverse findings against the institution.

These are legitimate issues for public debate. The Minority has every right to ask questions. GoldBod has every right to defend its record.

Its CEO has every right to challenge allegations against the institution.
But there is a line between robust accountability and personal accusation.

Once that line is crossed, the person accused must decide whether to allow the accusation to define him or to confront it decisively.

Afenyo Markin cannot demand accountability from government while avoiding accountability for himself. This is the uncomfortable part.
Afenyo Markin has built much of his political identity around holding government accountable.

He has repeatedly insisted that the Minority will scrutinise government policies and programmes and “hold the Government’s feet to the fire.”
That principle must apply to everyone, including himself.

The standard cannot be: “Government must answer difficult questions, but I don’t have to answer difficult allegations.” That would be politically convenient but morally inconsistent.
If the Minority Leader believes GoldBod has mishandled public resources, he must demand evidence and accountability.

If GoldBod’s CEO believes the Minority Leader is an extortionist, then he too must be prepared to provide evidence.

Nobody should be protected because of political affiliation. Nobody should be condemned because of political affiliation. That is how a democracy works.

Afenyo-Markin is not a private citizen engaging in an argument at a drinking spot. He is the Minority Leader of Parliament.

The GoldBod CEO is not merely a private commentator either. GoldBod describes itself as Ghana’s legally authourised body responsible for licensing and undertaking the purchase, assay, refining and export of gold and other precious minerals.

Both men therefore occupy positions that require discipline.

The country is watching.And Ghana does not need its most senior political actors turning public institutions into arenas for personal warfare.

The Minority Leader’s office was previously occupied by figures such as J.H. Mensah, Papa Owusu-Ankomah and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu. Whether one agrees with their politics or not, the office carried considerable institutional weight.

That reputation must be protected.
Indeed, Sammy Gyamfi himself has invoked the reputations of former Minority Leaders while attacking Afenyo-Markin.

But that should make the present occupant even more determined to defend the integrity of the office.
So, Afenyo-Markin, take the challenge. This is where political calculations should end.

Afenyo Markin should not merely respond that he has been insulted. He should not spend another week trading accusations with the GoldBod CEO.

He should not allow the matter to disappear beneath the next political controversy.
He has two options.

Sue. Or, if he believes he cannot or will not take legal action to clear his name, then he should seriously consider whether remaining Minority Leader under the shadow of such an allegation is sustainable.

Because the Ghanaian public cannot have it both ways.
You cannot occupy one of the highest political offices in the country, accuse others of wrongdoing and demand accountability from public institutions while allowing a serious allegation against your own character to remain unresolved.

The Minority Leader must understand that the battle is no longer simply Afenyo-Markin versus Sammy Gyamfi.

It is about whether public office in Ghana still carries standards. And the NPP must also grow a spine.

The New Patriotic Party cannot simply defend its Minority Leader through press statements and social media posts.

If Afenyo Markin believes the allegation is false, the party should encourage him to clear his name through the appropriate legal process.

And if he refuses to sue, the NPP must ask a difficult question: Can someone credibly lead the parliamentary opposition while carrying an unresolved allegation of extortion against him?

The party should not turn this into another partisan shouting match. It should make the issue about institutional credibility.

If Afenyo Markin sues, the NPP should stand behind due process and allow the courts to determine the matter.

If he refuses to sue and cannot provide a convincing public explanation for his decision, then the NPP must have the courage to consider whether another person should lead its parliamentary caucus.

That would not be an admission of guilt. It would be an acknowledgement that the reputation of the office is bigger than the reputation of the individual. And Sammy Gyamfi must also understand the burden of his office.

This argument cannot be one-sided. The GoldBod CEO has every right to defend the institution he leads.

But occupying the CEO’s chair also comes with responsibilities. GoldBod itself presents its mission as transforming Ghana’s gold industry, strengthening national value retention and building a world-class trading organisation.
That requires credibility.

When the CEO of such a strategically important national institution makes a serious allegation against the Minority Leader, he should be prepared to defend that allegation with the same confidence with which he made it.

If he has evidence, produce it. If he has documents, let them be examined. If he has facts, let the court test them.

That is how mature democracies operate. Ghana needs less political theatre and more consequences.
For too long, Ghanaian politics has developed an unfortunate habit. Politicians make explosive allegations on television.

Public officials respond with insults. Supporters flood social media. The matter trends for three days. Then everyone moves on. The allegation remains. The reputation remains damaged. And nobody is held responsible.
We cannot continue like this.

If an allegation is serious enough to make publicly, it should be serious enough to defend legally. If an accusation is false, the victim should have the courage to challenge it.
If it is true, the person making it should have the courage to prove it. That is the standard Ghana deserves.

So, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, this is your moment. Do not defend the title of Minority Leader with speeches. Defend the integrity of the office with action.

Sue Sammy Gyamfi and make him prove that you are an extortionist. And if you will not, then perhaps the NPP must ask whether you should continue occupying the office.

Because at this level of public leadership, silence is not neutrality. Sometimes, silence becomes an unanswered question.

And the Minority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament should not allow an accusation of this magnitude to become his unanswered question.

Clear your name. Clear the office. Or clear the way.

Paramount Chief of the Wenchi Traditional Area and President of the Council, Osagyefo Ampem Anye Amoampong Tabrako III, announced the suspension during a council meeting at Wenchi.

He said the Twafo stool had also been overturned, to pave the way for investigations into alleged breaches of traditional authority by the embattled sub-chief.

According to Osagyefo Tabrako III, the allegations against Nana Kufour IV relate to land matters.

He directed the public and the media to refrain from dealing with Nana Kufour IV in his capacity as a sub-chief of the Wenchi Traditional Council, and ordered him to stop presenting himself as a sub-chief or using the traditional title, pending the outcome of the investigations.

He warned that failure to comply with the directive could attract further sanctions from the Traditional Council.

According to him, the NPP needs reconciliation and a renewed sense of unity to rebuild its strength and position itself for victory in the 2028 general elections.

Speaking to the media during his tour of some constituencies in the Eastern Region, Mr Agyarko appealed to party members to put aside their differences and place the interests of the NPP above individual grievances.

He said he would serve as a “bridge” for aggrieved and disgruntled members who have left or distanced themselves from the party to return and contribute to its rebuilding.

Mr Agyarko stressed that unity, reconciliation and inclusive leadership would be central to his administration if elected National Chairman.

He said the party must heal internal divisions, strengthen its structures and bring all members together to confront the political challenges ahead.

Mr Agyarko therefore appealed to NPP delegates across the country to elect him as National Chairman, arguing that his experience, competence and leadership skills make him capable of uniting the party and positioning it for victory in 2028.

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GoldBod is the best we’ve done with our gold resources yet…

However, Mr Bentil cautioned that GoldBod is still evolving and should not be presented as a flawless institution.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, he said GoldBod represented an improvement over an earlier arrangement under which the Bank of Ghana (BoG) was directly involved in gold trading and bore the financial consequences of the transactions.

“GoldBod is the best we’ve done so far but it is not perfect,” he said.

Mr Bentil explained that, under the previous arrangement, the Bank of Ghana was responsible for trading gold through GoldBod, with the resulting gains or losses ultimately reflected on the central bank’s balance sheet.

“At that time, it was Bank of Ghana that was trading gold through GoldBod,” he said.

He argued that the structure created problems because the central bank, whose primary responsibilities include monetary and financial stability, was also carrying the risks associated with commercial gold trading.

“The losses belonged on the books of Bank of Ghana,” he said, adding that the arrangement created challenges for the central bank.

According to Mr Bentil, concerns over that structure were among the reasons for calls for a different model in which the commercial risks associated with gold trading would be separated from the central bank.

“They created problems for Bank of Ghana and we said that wasn’t a good thing to do,” he explained.

Mr Bentil said Ghana is now transitioning towards a system in which GoldBod will have its own capital and operate more independently from the Bank of Ghana.

“Today as we speak, there is a transition from that position for GoldBod to have its own capital, to do its own buying, to do its own trading, and keep the losses or the benefits on its own books,” he said.

Under this model, GoldBod would assume the commercial risks and rewards associated with its gold purchasing and trading activities.

Losses from trading would therefore no longer be placed directly on the books of the Bank of Ghana, while profits or other benefits would accrue to GoldBod.

Despite his strong defence of GoldBod, Mr Bentil acknowledged that the institution still has areas that need improvement.

“We have not reached the point where we are perfect yet,” he said.

He argued that public discussion should focus on identifying and correcting weaknesses rather than concluding that the entire GoldBod concept is fundamentally flawed.

Mr Bentil rejected suggestions that the establishment of GoldBod was itself a policy mistake.

“Anybody trying to suggest that GoldBod is a mistake is wrong,” he said.

He maintained that Ghana’s experience with gold trading and the challenges associated with the previous arrangement demonstrate the need for an institution capable of managing the commercial side of the country’s gold resources.

“GoldBod is the best we have done with our gold resources yet,” he added.

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.

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Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews on Saturday, August 22, Sammy Gyamfi said Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s claims regarding the alleged losses associated with GoldBod were serious and warranted a response.

Mr Gyamfi maintained that he did not insult the Minority Leader but was responding to what he described as personal and unfounded allegations about his role in GoldBod’s financial affairs.

“I never insulted him. And nobody can show me one word that I used that was insulting,” Mr Gyamfi said.

He invoked Newton’s Third Law of Motion to explain his response, saying: “For every action, there is equal and opposite reaction.”

According to Mr Gyamfi, Afenyo-Markin’s comments went beyond ordinary political criticism because they sought to associate him with serious wrongdoing and questioned his ability to meet conditions under Ghana’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

He said such claims were personal and required a strong response.

“Afenyo-Markin got the response he deserved,” Mr Gyamfi stated.

Mr Gyamfi said while he accepts criticism from political opponents, he believes some of Mr Afenyo-Markin’s comments were motivated by malice rather than a genuine disagreement over policy.

“When you listen to those criticisms, you see maybe lack of information. But they don’t make it personal. But when you listen to him, you hear malice for Mr Gyamfi,” he said.

He argued that the IMF report being discussed did not concern him personally and questioned why Afenyo-Markin had sought to associate him with financial obligations arising from the report.

“This issue is not about Sammy Gyamfi,” he said, accusing the Minority Leader of attempting to smear his reputation.

Mr Gyamfi also dismissed suggestions that he had incurred losses in his current role, saying he should not be held responsible for financial obligations that do not relate to him.

In defending his response, Mr Gyamfi questioned Afenyo-Markin’s own record while serving in leadership positions at state-owned utility companies.

He claimed that Afenyo-Markin supervised cumulative losses of $3.3 billion at Ghana Water Limited between 2017 and 2024 and later oversaw losses of $8.2 billion at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in 2024.

Mr Gyamfi said he was raising the figures not as an insult but to demonstrate that Afenyo-Markin, like any other public official, is also open to scrutiny and criticism.

“Just like he can criticise me, he’s also not beyond reproach,” he said.

He added: “This is not an insult. I am showing you that this is your record.”

Mr Gyamfi argued that if Afenyo-Markin could question his record, he should equally be prepared to have his own record examined publicly.

Mr Gyamfi further questioned claims that he had adopted an unusually personal tone in responding to his critics.

He said he had held numerous press conferences and participated in political debates over the years but had rarely resorted to language such as “extortion” when describing his opponents.

“Have you ever heard me use the word extortion against any of my critics? Have you ever heard me? Why will I use this word now?” he asked.

He said the circumstances surrounding his latest comments were linked to issues between himself and Afenyo-Markin that, according to him, were not fully known to the public.

“There are many underlying issues between Afenyo-Markin and I that you don’t know and those watching don’t know,” Mr Gyamfi said.

He maintained that Afenyo-Markin had not challenged the substance of his claims or threatened legal action over the remarks.

Mr Gyamfi described himself as a strong believer in political debate and said he was not afraid of criticism.

“I’m a consummate democrat. I eat and drink debates because I’m not worried,” he said.

He maintained that his comments should be understood within the context of the political exchange and not characterised as personal insults.

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Mr Gyamfi’s comments come against the backdrop of an earlier response by the NPP to allegations by IMANI Africa that the G4O programme had suffered financial leakages amounting to GH¢7.2 billion.

In a statement dated September 29, 2025, the NPP rejected the allegations, describing them as misleading and unsupported by verifiable financial records.

“No evidence of diversion or leakage exists. The figure quoted by IMANI is a distortion of audited financial data,” the party stated.

However, Mr Gyamfi has now relied on that same statement to challenge the NPP’s current criticism of losses associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews on Saturday, August 22, Mr Gyamfi said the NPP in responding to IMANI Africa, argued that the costs incurred by the  Bank of Ghana (BoG) under the Gold-for-Oil programme represented foreign exchange liquidity support and were not evidence of financial mismanagement or corruption.

“BOG transparently reported its foreign liquidity support cost,” Mr Gyamfi quoted the NPP statement as saying.

He explained that the NPP had argued that the expenditure was necessary to provide foreign exchange liquidity to facilitate the importation of petroleum products under the G4O programme.

Mr Gyamfi further quoted the NPP as saying that the costs were “not diversions of funds, but the cost of stabilizing forex supply to facilitate Gold-for-Oil imports.”

He said the party had also pointed to the traceability of the Bank of Ghana’s seed capital and the publication of the reported costs in the central  bank’s audited financial statements.

According to Mr Gyamfi, the NPP further maintained at the time that there was no evidence of corruption or leakage under the programme.

“The verifiable facts are: no evidence exists of the alleged leakage,” he quoted the party as saying.

Mr Gyamfi therefore questioned why the NPP was now treating financial costs associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme as evidence of recklessness or mismanagement.

“These are the words of the New Patriotic Party. And today, they have forgotten,” he said.

He argued that the same principle the NPP applied in defending the G4O programme should be used in assessing the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

Mr Gyamfi said accounting losses should not be considered in isolation without examining the broader economic benefits generated by the programme.

“We should assess them not only on the basis of the accounting losses but the economic benefits that are generated,” he said.

He, however, acknowledged that there was a legitimate basis for examining whether the programme could have achieved the same economic objectives at a lower cost.

“Without prejudice to the call for us to look at whether or not they could have done so or achieved the same thing at the lower cost,” he added.

Mr Gyamfi maintained that the NPP’s previous defence of the G4O programme demonstrates that financial costs do not, on their own, constitute proof of corruption or financial mismanagement.

He consequently called on the party to be consistent in its assessment of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and to distinguish between accounting costs and evidence of actual financial wrongdoing.

According to him, the measures introduced by the Mahama administration demonstrate the President’s commitment to tackling the illegal mining menace, which continues to pose a threat to the country’s environment and water bodies.

Lawyer Nathaniel Tetteh made the remarks on Adom TV’s Nnawɔtɔ Yi programme.

Providing data to support his claim, he said more than 258 people have been arrested and are standing trial, while over 200 excavators have been seized, with 34 subsequently destroyed.

He added that 1,469 pumping machines, 950 changfan machines, more than 285 motorbikes and 82 gold detectors used in illegal mining operations have also been seized.

According to him, the figures demonstrate that significant action has been taken by the government to clamp down on illegal mining.

Lawyer Tetteh said President Mahama remains committed to a promise he made to Ghanaians to deal decisively with illegal mining if elected president.

He added that although more work needs to be done, the government remains determined to pursue individuals involved in illegal mining and bring the menace under control.

“The government is dedicated to fighting the menace. More has been done, but the battle is not over yet, and the government will continue to pursue all those engaged in illegal mining,” he said.

He urged Ghanaians to have confidence in President Mahama’s efforts to address the illegal mining activities that have plagued the country for years.

“Anyone who will say President Mahama has done nothing to fight galamsey is not being entirely truthful,” he said.

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.

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Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews, he said the Minister’s appearance before Parliament would provide an opportunity for MPs to raise questions and seek clarity on concerns surrounding the energy sector.

“I support the cause that he should come to Parliament because we are the people’s representatives. Maybe there are some questions that people have to ask or suggestions that people have to make,” Issah said on Saturday, August 22.

His comments come amid calls by the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Energy Committee, Collins Adomako-Mensah, for the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and the energy minister to appear before Parliament to explain the recurring nationwide power outages.

He added that Parliament’s consideration of the 2027 Budget in November could provide an opportunity for lawmakers to push for additional resources for the Energy Ministry, provided the Minister gives satisfactory answers to the questions raised.

Atta Issah also commended the Energy Minister for his increased engagement with the media and stakeholders, but stressed that such explanations must ultimately translate into meaningful action.

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Mr Kwetey said his decision follows calls from NDC supporters across the Greater Accra Region and beyond, urging him to offer himself for the position.

In a declaration of intent, he said the confidence expressed in him was largely based on his years of dedicated service to the party in various capacities.

“Comrades, I am here today in response to your calls. I have listened to you, reflected on your confidence in me, and heeded your call,” he said.

Mr Kwetey, who recently contested as a Parliamentary Candidate aspirant in Ningo Prampram, said he would formally pick a nomination form once the process for the regional elections begins.

He pledged to serve the party with “dedication, humility, integrity, and a strong sense of responsibility.”

Expressing gratitude to party supporters for their continued confidence in his leadership, Mr Kwetey said he remained committed to strengthening the NDC and contributing to its progress in the Greater Accra Region.

He ended his declaration with the party slogan: “Long live the NDC. Long live the Greater Accra Region. Ɛyɛ Zu, Ɛyɛ Za.”

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The application, which has reportedly been filed and served on the defendants, also seeks to prevent seven other individuals from holding themselves out as members of the NPP pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Under the motion on notice, the applicants are seeking orders that would prevent Mr Tanko Gibrine from calling or presiding over any constituency meeting, including meetings involving polling station executives and constituency executives.

The application further seeks to restrain Fredrick, Kofi Sei, Ama, Tina and Opeley from attending party meetings or holding themselves out as NPP members.

Dina and Ekua Togo are also named in the application and are being restrained from holding themselves out as members of the NPP.

The applicants are relying on established principles on contempt of court, particularly the principle outlined in Republic v Moffat; Ex Parte Allotey, 2 GLR 391.

Under the principle, once a party has been served with an application seeking to preserve the status quo, that party is deemed to be aware of the pending proceedings.

The applicants argue that any conduct that interferes with the administration of justice or prejudices the fair determination of the case after service of the application could expose the affected parties to contempt proceedings.

They further cite In re Effiduase Stool Affairs (No. 2) [1998-99] SCGLR 639 and Republic v Dali; Ex Parte Gogah [1971] in support of the position.

The implication, according to the applicants, is that once the defendants have been served, proceeding to undertake the very acts the injunction seeks to restrain could create a contempt risk, even before the substantive application is heard and determined by the court.

The case is expected to come before the High Court for determination of the injunction application and the substantive issues between the parties.

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He explained, however, that picking up a form does not amount to automatic clearance to contest, as the responsibility for determining the eligibility of aspirants lies with the party’s Vetting Committee.

Mr Opare-Ansah made the clarification in an interview with Citi News on Friday, August 21, 2026, following reports that Chairman Wontumi’s campaign team had obtained nomination forms for him.

He said the NPP Secretariat had no authority to prevent any interested party member from acquiring nomination forms.

“Nothing stops anybody from buying a form,” he said.

According to him, questions about an aspirant’s qualification to contest would only be considered when the person appears before the Vetting Committee.

“It is only when you appear before the Vetting Committee that if there is any reason why you cannot be cleared to contest, then that will come up,” he explained.

Mr Opare-Ansah added that nomination forms were also available online, allowing prospective candidates to download and submit them through the appropriate process.

He said he was yet to receive the Secretariat’s final report confirming the names of all individuals who had picked up forms in the various categories.

“I’ve gotten the statistics of how many people picked up forms today, and the breakdown: the Chairman category, the Vice-Chair category. I’m yet to receive the end-of-the-day report, which will tell me exactly which persons picked up forms,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NPP has extended the deadline for the submission of completed nomination forms by two days.

The closing date, initially set for Thursday, August 27, 2026, has now been moved to Saturday, August 29.

The party said the extension was intended to give interested aspirants additional time to complete the nomination and filing process.

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In a statement, the Kingmakers said Ago Tettey Kwao had not been installed as the substantive Paramount Chief of Kpone in accordance with the customary laws and procedures of the traditional area.

They therefore said they do not recognise him as the Kpone Mantse and have not authorised him to represent, speak for, transact on behalf of or exercise the authority of the Paramount Stool of Kpone.

The Kingmakers further rejected what they described as his purported claim to the Kpone Mantse stool and urged members of the public and institutions to independently verify his authority before relying on any representations made by him.

They specifically cautioned against treating any letter, appointment, directive, land transaction, agreement, customary pronouncement, public statement, ceremony or other undertaking made by Ago Tettey Kwao in the capacity of Kpone Mantse as an act of the Paramount Stool.

The statement was addressed to the general public, government institutions, traditional authorities, security agencies, landowners, businesses, financial institutions and the ten clans of Kpone.

The Kingmakers urged all stakeholders to exercise caution and recognise no person as the substantive Paramount Chief of Kpone until that person has been duly selected and enstooled in accordance with the applicable customary and national laws.

They also warned that individuals or institutions who deal with Ago Tettey Kwao in his purported capacity as Kpone Mantse would do so at their own risk.

In a statement, the campaign team said the forms were obtained to formally complete the nomination process and expressed appreciation to supporters for their continued backing.

“The Wontumi Campaign Team has today successfully picked up the nomination forms on behalf of Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi). This is simply to formally complete the nomination process on his behalf. With God and the people behind us, we move. Your support, prayers and dedication are what keep us going. Thank you all for your continued support and commitment,” the statement said.

The development was also confirmed by the Communications Director of the campaign team, Ewuradwoa Coleman.

“Yes indeed, the campaign team has picked up forms on behalf of Chairman Wontumi. We are continuing his bid in the National Chairmanship race,” she told Joy News.

The move comes despite Mr Boasiako’s current incarceration and an ongoing legal challenge against his conviction and sentence.

His lawyers have filed an application seeking bail pending the determination of his appeal.

Wontumi is serving a 20-year prison sentence after an Accra High Court convicted him on charges related to illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, found him guilty of offences including assigning mineral rights without the required ministerial approval and facilitating unlicensed mining operations.

The sentences imposed on the various counts are running concurrently, resulting in an effective 20-year prison term.

Despite his imprisonment, the campaign team says it remains committed to pursuing his candidacy in the NPP National Chairman race.

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Saglemi progress validates work done under NPP – Oppong Nkrumah

Hawa Koomson declares bid for NPP National Women’s Organiser position

His comments follow President John Dramani Mahama’s announcement during a tour of the Saglemi Housing Project on Thursday, August 20, that the first 700 housing units are expected to be completed and ready for use by March 2027.

Reacting to the development on Friday, August 21, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said he was pleased that the current administration had maintained the private-sector arrangement initiated during his tenure as Housing Minister to revive the stalled project.

He said the development validates the approach adopted by the previous administration to complete the project without committing additional state funds.

“I was pleased to note that, first of all, the process that we went through to use private sector participation to complete the Saglemi project has been upheld by this administration. I was happy to hear that the benchmarks, the first 700 and then the subsequent about 1,000 and 2,000, etc., and then the continuous development of Saglemi, the president has upheld all of those ones,” he said.

“It gives me comfort that the work that was done in that period when I had the honour of serving as Housing Minister and the work that was done by the NPP administration to ensure that Saglemi was resurrected, this time on a path that can be self-financing and sustainable, is being upheld and continued by this administration,” he added.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah also defended the decision at the time to adopt a private-sector approach to completing the project, arguing that the arrangement was properly structured to protect the interests of the state.

“It was a very well-structured transaction with one of the top four accounting firms as our transaction advisors. And we went through a process that ensured that we would not put further state money into it, but private money would be brought in, but state interest and state equity would be protected in it,” he said.

He further alleged that opposition from elements within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the private-sector arrangement was politically motivated.

“I, as minister at the time, explained clearly that there was nothing untoward with using a private sector approach to complete Saglemi. It was only partisan politics that our colleagues on the NDC side at the time, when they were looking for power, were playing by trying to heighten some allegations as though there was something untoward going on,” he said.

I’ll consider review — Oppong Nkrumah hints at next move after Supreme Court dismisses injunction

Supreme Court dismisses Kojo Oppong Nkrumah’s application seeking to halt legal vacation trials

His comments follow an escalating dispute between the Minority and GoldBod Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, over claims that the state-owned gold-trading institution recorded losses of about GH¢22 billion, equivalent to approximately US$1.7 billion, from its operations in 2025.

Mr Gyamfi, speaking during the government’s Accountability Series, accused the Minority Leader of engaging in what he described as a smear campaign against GoldBod instead of pursuing genuine public accountability.

However, speaking to Metro TV, Mr Afenyo-Markin said he would not be distracted by the criticism and insults directed at him.

He said he was prepared to endure attacks as part of his responsibility to the NPP and would not resort to litigation against those criticising him.

“If today you are insulting Afenyo-Markin, using unprintable words on my person, hiring social media people, people going to sit at studios of FM stations, TV stations, use vulgar language, the very thing that if you give them a schnapp, a Bible, a Quran, to swear whether it is true, they cannot. They are saying it for politics. I won’t question you. I won’t say anything. I won’t sue you,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said his family had made significant sacrifices for the NPP and Ghana, and he was prepared to make similar sacrifices in the course of his political career.

“My stepfather fought for the party. My mom fought for the party. My daddy suffered for the party. And it’s my turn. I will fight for the party with a clear mind. And I will not shake,” he said.

The Minority Leader maintained that the concerns raised by the Minority regarding GoldBod’s reported losses were based on facts and intended to serve the public interest.

“What we are telling the people of Ghana about these losses is the truth. Nothing more, nothing less,” he said.

He urged the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to acknowledge what he described as policy failures that contributed to the reported losses and work with the Minority to find a way forward.

“We expect the NDC to be reasonable and eat humble pie, and admit that, indeed, policy failures resulted in this. So that perhaps we can look at the way forward,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin also stressed that the political disagreements would not prevent him from respecting the offices and institutions of state.

“I’m Minority Leader. I will do my work. But in so doing, I have due regard for your office,” he said.

He said his approach to politics was guided by respect for institutions, personal relationships and what he described as a code of brotherhood.

The Effutu MP further noted that previous Minority Leaders, including J.H. Mensah and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, had faced significant challenges while leading the opposition in Parliament.

According to him, the position of Minority Leader can sometimes be isolating because of the weight of responsibility that comes with the office.

“Minority Leader is not an easy job; sometimes you can be lonely. When everything is going round, round, round, you have to do the heavy lifting,” he said.

Despite the criticism, Mr Afenyo-Markin said he would not abandon the GoldBod issue and would continue to demand answers.

“To be attacked, I will stay there, deal with the issues, and pursue it. However lonely I may become, I am doing this for the party, and the right thing will be done,” he said.

In a Facebook post, the aspiring National Women’s Organiser said she visited NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, at his residence with her campaign team before submitting her nomination at the party’s headquarters.

Hawa Koomson says her decision to contest the position of National Women’s Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is aimed at building a stronger, more organised and dynamic Women’s Wing ahead of the 2028 general elections.

She said her visit to NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, was to formally communicate her decision to contest the position and outline her vision for the party’s women’s wing.

According to Madam Koomson, the NPP is at a critical juncture, with the party’s next leadership expected to play a key role in determining its future and the direction of Ghana’s democracy.

She criticised the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that the government is taking the country in the wrong direction.

“Our party stands at a pivotal moment; the upcoming leadership will be vital for the survival of our democracy, our party, and our nation. The current government, led by the NDC, is steering Ghana toward uncertain waters, leaving the citizens with little hope for the future. It is imperative that the NPP steps in to rectify this trajectory.”

Madam Koomson said the NPP Women’s Wing would be central to the party’s efforts to return to power, but stressed that this would require bold and courageous leadership.

“The Women’s Wing of the NPP holds a fundamental role in this rescue mission. However, fulfilling this role demands bold, assertive, and courageous leadership to galvanize our efforts towards a victorious outcome in 2028.”

She said her decision to contest was not motivated by a desire to occupy a position, but by a commitment to lead a well-organised and dynamic women’s wing capable of mobilising support for the party ahead of the 2028 elections.

“My ambition is not merely to occupy a position but to spearhead an organized and dynamic women’s wing that is fully equipped to secure victory for the NPP and for H. E. Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.”

Madam Koomson described her bid as a commitment to the party and called on NPP supporters, particularly women, to join her campaign.

“This is my solemn commitment to you, and I wholeheartedly invite you to join me on this journey. Together, we can make a difference and pave the way for a brighter future for Ghana.”

The forms were picked on his behalf on Friday at the NPP headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra by the NPP Japan Branch Chairman, Alhaji Nana Abdul Razak, and former Middle East Branch Chairman, Isaac Osae.

Speaking to the media after picking the forms, Alhaji Nana Abdul Razak said the current state of the party requires executives with the experience, commitment and capacity to lead its rebuilding efforts and help recapture power in 2028.

He said Richard Oti Aboagye’s track record, particularly his role in establishing and mobilising the NPP Sweden Branch, demonstrates his ability to organise and energise the party’s grassroots.

According to him, Mr Oti Aboagye’s previous contributions to the party make him a strong contender for the 1st Vice Chairman position.

Alhaji Nana Abdul Razak therefore appealed to delegates to vote massively for Richard Oti Aboagye, saying he possesses the experience and organisational capacity needed to help strengthen the party’s base and position the NPP for victory in the 2028 elections.

NPP extends 2026 National Officers Elections filing deadline to August 29

Kwaku Nkansah PaaNii withdraws from NPP National Treasurer race

Under the revised timetable, aspirants will now have from Sunday, August 23, to Saturday, August 29, 2026, to file their completed nomination forms.

The original filing deadline was Thursday, August 27.

In a statement issued on Friday, August 21, the NOEC said the decision was prompted by the significant level of interest in the upcoming elections.

As of Thursday, August 20, 44 aspirants had picked up nomination forms, with two days remaining before the close of the period for collecting the forms.

“The Committee considers it prudent to provide the additional time to facilitate an orderly filing process and to ensure that each aspirant is afforded adequate opportunity for the submission and verification of his or her nomination documents,” the statement said.

Vetting date unchanged
The Committee said the extension would not affect the commencement of vetting or other subsequent milestones on the election timetable.

Vetting of aspirants will therefore begin as scheduled on Monday, August 31 and run until Thursday, September 3.

The revised timetable is as follows:

August 17–22: Opening and closing of nominations
August 23–29: Filing of nomination forms
August 31–September 3: Vetting of aspirants
September 5: Publication of vetting results
September 6–7: Appeals
September 10: NEC/NC
September 14: Notice of Poll
October 3: Election of National Officers
The NOEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting the elections in a fair, transparent, orderly and credible manner, with equal opportunity for all aspirants.

The Committee also appealed to aspirants, their supporters, party members, and the media to cooperate with the electoral process.

Aspirants are now expected to submit their completed nomination forms by Saturday, August 29, ahead of the commencement of vetting on August 31.

The NPP’s National Officers Elections are scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026.

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 20, 2026, Mr Nkansah announced his decision to discontinue his campaign while reaffirming his commitment and loyalty to the NPP.

He expressed gratitude to his supporters for their backing throughout his campaign, describing their commitment as “humbling”.

“This was not an easy decision, and I know it is not the news my supporters were hoping for. But circumstances beyond my control have made it necessary at this time. My loyalty to the NPP remains unwavering, and I will continue to serve and support our party in every way I can. I wish the other contestants the very best,” he said.

Mr Nkansah did not disclose the specific circumstances that led to his withdrawal.

He, however, pledged to remain active within the party and urged NPP members to maintain unity ahead of the National Treasurer election.

He called on party members to rally behind whichever candidate eventually emerges victorious.

Mr Nkansah also apologised for any inconvenience his decision may cause his supporters and wished the NPP and Ghana well.

His withdrawal adds to developments ahead of the NPP’s upcoming national executive elections, as contenders continue to position themselves for various leadership positions within the party.

Kwaku Nkansah PaaNii endorses John Boadu for NPP National Chairman

NPP chairmanship race: Boakye Agyarko’s team rejects Global InfoAnalytics’ survey

The veteran politician shared a photo of himself with his wife on Facebook, captioning it simply: “Woman Crush Everyday.”

The affectionate message offered a departure from the usually political side of Mr Asiedu Nketia, who is more accustomed to making headlines over party affairs and national politics.

In the photograph, the couple are seen smiling warmly for the camera, with Mrs Nketia standing behind her husband and resting her hands gently on his shoulders.

Dressed in a vibrant Ghanaian print outfit, she beams beside her husband, who appears equally cheerful in the intimate portrait.

The post has also offered followers a rare glimpse of the personal side of the veteran politician, whose public image is often dominated by his political commentary and party responsibilities.

For a man whose political career has spanned decades, Asiedu Nketia’s “Woman Crush Everyday” message offers a refreshing glimpse of the man behind the politics — a husband proudly celebrating the woman by his side.

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Watch: Asiedu Nketia narrates his ordeal in the hands of his abusive wife

• Dafeamekpor explains why he keeps family life private despite wife’s political career

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

Mr Vanderpuye came under criticism from some NDC members after saying he would have taken a different approach in responding to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19.

Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV, Mr Vanderpuye acknowledged Mr Gyamfi’s communication skills but said his own years of political experience would have influenced him to adopt a different tone.

He explained that he would have been more measured, particularly because the exchange was taking place on a public platform before a national audience.

His remarks, however, drew criticism from sections of the NDC, with some party members accusing him of appearing to side with Mr Afenyo-Markin and failing to show solidarity with Mr Gyamfi amid the opposition’s criticism of GoldBod.

In a statement issued later on Thursday, Mr Vanderpuye apologised and clarified that his comments were not meant to undermine Mr Gyamfi or support the attacks against him and GoldBod.

“I wish to sincerely apologise for my comments during my presentation on Channel One TV this morning. Having had the opportunity to listen carefully to myself and reflect on the discussion, I acknowledge that I did not communicate my intended position in the manner I should have. I take full responsibility for that,” he said.

Mr Vanderpuye said his intention was to defend the work being done by GoldBod and Mr Gyamfi, but admitted that his comments may have created a different impression.

“It was never my intention to undermine or condemn our comrade, Sammy Gyamfi, or to lend support to the attacks being directed at him and the GoldBod by the opposition,” he said.

He also offered a direct apology to Mr Gyamfi, describing him as a committed NDC member who has served the party with dedication and courage.

“Whatever observations I may have had should never have been expressed in a manner capable of being interpreted as validating the attacks of our political opponents against him,” he added.

Mr Vanderpuye further apologised to the NDC leadership, members and grassroots supporters who felt disappointed or offended by his comments.

He said party members expect leaders and those seeking leadership positions to demonstrate solidarity and sound judgement, especially when the party and its appointees are facing political attacks.

Reaffirming his commitment to the NDC, Mr Vanderpuye said his loyalty to the party remains firm.

“The NDC is my political home, and my loyalty and commitment to its cause remain unwavering,” he said.

The controversy follows claims by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin concerning an alleged US$1.7 billion loss associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).

Mr Afenyo-Markin has questioned aspects of the government’s management of the gold sector and raised concerns about the financial implications of the programme.

Mr Gyamfi has rejected the criticisms and defended GoldBod’s operations and the government’s policies.

The exchange became particularly heated during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19, when the GoldBod CEO responded strongly to the Minority Leader’s claims.

In his response, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo-Markin as a “noisemaker” and accused him of having “bastardised and depraved” the office of the Minority Leader.

Also read:

• You don’t need any special motion to invite me to parliament – Sammy Gyamfi…

• Sammy Gyamfi dares Afenyo-Markin to produce evidence of GoldBod losses

Read the full statement below:

Mr Yandoh said he feared the embarrassment of remaining at the venue after the results showed that his campaign was not doing well, prompting him to find a way to leave before the final declaration.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, he said the presence of police officers at the venue made it difficult for candidates and supporters to leave freely once the counting process had begun.

“When they started counting and I realised it wasn’t going well, I was looking for a way to sneak out. The police were also surrounding there; if you are not fast, they won’t allow you to leave the centre, meaning the embarrassment will catch you there,” he said.

Mr Yandoh said he eventually told some people at the venue that he was going to the washroom but instead returned to his office and followed the remaining developments from there.

“So God was able to help me sneak out. Some were asking me where I was going,g and I told them I was going to the washroom and would be back. So I went back to the office and got updates later,” he said.

He also recounted the difficult moments he experienced at the election grounds, saying members of the Jama group he had brought to support his campaign complained of hunger while he was also emotionally distressed.

“Whilst we were at the ground, the Jama boys I brought told me they were hungry. Me, I was hot. Later, Boris B Farms brought me 12 chickens because he heard me talking about food,” he said.

Despite his defeat, Mr Yandoh said he accepted the delegates’ decision and pledged to support the newly elected regional executives.

“I respect the decision of the delegates and will support the elected executives, and we will all help them to collectively bring the party back to power,” he said.

However, Mr Yandoh expressed displeasure with the manner in which Ashanti Regional Minister Frank Amoakohene, a member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), had been mocking him on social media following the election.

He said the Regional Minister should have allowed him time to recover from the defeat before making jokes about his loss.

“You see Amoakohene teasing me about my loss. He should at least have waited for me to heal, but the same day he was trolling me,” he said.

Mr Yandoh cautioned Dr Amoakohene against facing a similar political setback, saying he would respond strongly if the minister ever lost an election.

“He should pray that nothing happens to him. He will leave the region. What he is doing on social media, like I am the only one who lost; I wasn’t the only one. Why is he laughing at only me?” he asked.

“I will troll him more than what he is doing to me now if he loses an election,” he added.

Mr Yandoh placed third in the NPP Ashanti Regional Secretary election with 105 votes. Francis Adomako won the contest with 492 votes, while Michael Amoah Awuku finished second with 331 votes.

Watch the video below:

READ ALSO:

Paul Yandoh loses Ashanti NPP Secretary race despite cross-party backing

NPP should not let Wontumi’s conviction block his chairmanship bid – Paul Yandoh

Mr Yandoh, who placed third in the election, said the financial demands of the campaign had left him with virtually nothing.

“I still haven’t recovered from the election loss because I used all my finances to contest the election. I have lost everything and I am down to ground zero,” he said.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Yandoh said this was his second attempt at securing a position in the NPP’s Ashanti Regional executive structure, having previously contested for Deputy Regional Secretary in 2022 but lost.

He said the latest contest was more competitive and required him to commit substantial resources to his campaign.

“It’s not even a week yet, so I am not over the loss. It’s not been easy.

“I contested for Deputy Secretary for the region in 2022 and I lost. However, this one was more competitive. I put all my resources into this,” he said.

Despite the defeat, Mr Yandoh expressed gratitude to supporters who stood by him throughout the campaign.

He said his position as Regional Communications Officer helped him connect with delegates and communicate his vision effectively.

“Due to my position as a Communications Director, I had to communicate to the people to understand and believe what I was telling them. So people accepted me,” he said.

Mr Yandoh, however, attributed part of the difficulties he encountered during the campaign to the conviction of popular NPP communicator, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

According to him, his campaign had relied heavily on Mr Wontumi’s financial support, but the latter’s legal troubles disrupted those plans.

“But the whole issue is Wontumi’s conviction. It has affected me badly. Everything was planned on him to finance me. It made the election tough for me,” he said.

Mr Yandoh nevertheless said the experience had provided him with valuable lessons and would not discourage him from remaining active in the party.

“I have learnt a lot from this experience. Going forward, I’m committed to Bawumia and will work hard to see him become the future President of Ghana,” he said.

He said the defeat should be viewed as a learning experience and called for a more deliberate approach to rebuilding and strengthening the NPP.

“The defeat doesn’t discourage me. It’s a lesson. We have to be more deliberate on the party,” he added.

Mr Yandoh secured 105 votes in the Ashanti Regional Secretary election. Francis Adomako won the contest with 492 votes, while Michael Amoah Awuku placed second with 331 votes.

READ ALSO:

‘Why October?’ – Frank Davies questions delay in Wontumi’s bail application

Paul Yandoh loses Ashanti NPP Secretary race despite cross-party backing

Mr Yandoh, who placed third in the election, said the absence of Mr Wontumi’s expected financial support was a major setback for his campaign.

“The Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, did not cause my defeat, but the incarceration of Wontumi was a major setback for me. The contributions he called for on my behalf were a complete joke; some of his people sent GH₵1, GH₵2, 50 pesewas, and even 38 pesewas,” he said.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Yandoh dismissed suggestions that the endorsement he received from Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene, a member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), contributed to his defeat.

According to him, Dr Amoakohene’s political affiliation did not make his endorsement a liability because he had satisfied all the NPP’s requirements to contest the position.

“No, I don’t believe the Ashanti Regional Minister caused my defeat because he is from a different political party and endorsed me. The party has guidelines and I qualify for all, so what else will make you think I am not serious with the position?” he asked.

Mr Yandoh said he had openly declared his intention to contest for the regional secretary position long before Dr Amoakohene endorsed him and had explained his vision and aspirations to delegates during the campaign.

“I declared my intention for the secretary position for a long time, so it’s not Amoakohene’s endorsement that caused my defeat. I explained my ideas and aspirations during my campaign,” he said.

He also explained that his public exchanges with Dr Amoakohene on social media were strategic and intended to share attention among the youth rather than undermine his political ambitions.

“When he became Regional Minister, he was involving the youth in almost everything he did and it was like he was taking them all. So I didn’t want him to take it all. For me and him’s banter, it was a strategic way of sharing the attention with him among the youth on social media,” he said.

Mr Yandoh expressed gratitude to Dr Amoakohene for any contributions made towards his campaign but said the amounts involved were insignificant.

“And any contribution that he is said to have gone on my behalf, I’m grateful. However, it wasn’t a significant amount. It was GH₵1 and GH₵2. I think Amoakohene deliberately told them to send that amount,” he said.

He maintained that Dr Amoakohene’s endorsement had no bearing on the outcome of the election, insisting that the loss of Wontumi’s support was the more significant factor.

“There was no way he caused my defeat. Wontumi’s imprisonment was my downfall,” Mr Yandoh added.

Mr Yandoh secured 105 votes in the NPP Ashanti Regional Secretary election, placing third. Francis Adomako won the contest with 492 votes, while Michael Amoah Awuku came second with 331 votes.

His candidacy attracted attention ahead of the election following the public endorsement and social media campaign by Dr Frank Amoakohene, despite the Regional Minister belonging to the governing NDC.

READ ALSO:

‘Why October?’ – Frank Davies questions delay in Wontumi’s bail application

Why single out Sammy Gyamfi when GoldBod is a state institution? – Sampson Ahi [Listen]

Mr Davies argued that the bail application, being an urgent matter, could have been heard during the ongoing legal vacation in August or September instead of being pushed to October.

Speaking after Thursday’s proceedings at the Supreme Court, he said vacation courts were established to deal with urgent and critical applications, including bail matters.

Chairman Wontumi, whose real name is Bernard Antwi Boasiako, is serving a 20-year prison sentence imposed by the Accra High Court after he was convicted of illegal-mining-related offences.

His lawyers have appealed against the conviction and sentence and subsequently filed an application for bail pending the determination of the appeal.

The application was scheduled to be heard on August 19, 2026, but the matter could not proceed after Wontumi and his lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, were absent from court.

The court subsequently adjourned the application to October 15.

Mr Davies questioned why the matter could not have been rescheduled for an earlier date within the legal vacation if the judge was unavailable on August 19.

“If you have a serious application like bail, pending appeal, a bail, it should be—that is the essence of the vacation court—to deal with such applications,” he said.

He suggested that the case could have been moved to the following week or to September rather than October.

“If she were indisposed, may God grant her health and speedy recovery as such. Why was the case adjourned to the following week? Or even to September?” he asked.

Mr Davies further questioned the decision to schedule the next hearing for October 15.

“Why did she adjourn to October? When could she have adjourned to maybe two weeks, in August or in September? Why?” he said.

He also raised concerns about whether urgent applications were being treated equally, asking: “Are there two different sets of rights in this country? Superior rights and lesser rights?”

Mr Davies maintained that the legal vacation is primarily intended to deal with urgent applications and other matters requiring immediate judicial attention.

“On vacation, you only deal with interim applications and urgent and critical matters,” he said.

His comments come amid a wider debate over the handling of court proceedings during the legal vacation and the circumstances under which selected criminal cases are being heard during the period.

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Mr Ahi said the Minority should focus on the facts surrounding the reported losses rather than singling out Mr Gyamfi for personal attacks.

His comments follow claims by the Minority that GoldBod must account for losses associated with the DGPP instead of taking credit for gains from the programme while distancing itself from reported transaction-related losses.

The dispute follows an August 2026 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which indicated that the Bank of Ghana’s DGPP, implemented through GoldBod, recorded losses of more than US$1.7 billion in 2025, equivalent to about 1.5 per cent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

However, speaking during the government’s Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi dismissed the Minority’s claims, saying GoldBod does not “take moral lessons from the brothel.”

In a statement responding to Mr Gyamfi, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin maintained that the reported losses constituted a financial loss to the state and therefore required accountability.

But speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Sampson Ahi argued that GoldBod’s audited accounts and the Auditor-General’s report should be considered when assessing the institution’s financial performance.

“GoldBod has audited accounts for 2025, covering the entire year, and the Auditor-General has issued a report. Those reports show that GoldBod’s transactions within 2025 made a profit,” he said.

Mr Ahi said if the IMF report points to losses, the focus should be on understanding the circumstances that resulted in those losses rather than using them to advance what he described as a political agenda.

“If the IMF is saying there are losses, then let us look for the causes of those losses. But when you want to push an agenda that does not exist, then it becomes a problem,” he said.

He urged the Minority to criticise the government and its institutions based on verifiable information.

“I will urge the Minority that we agree you can criticise, but do it with facts. This time around, they are wrong and they should admit it,” he said.

Mr Ahi also accused the Minority of personalising the matter by focusing its criticism on Sammy Gyamfi.

“Why are they personalising it? They are engaging in propaganda,” he alleged.

He cited Mr Afenyo-Markin’s previous role as Board Chairman of Ghana Water Company Limited, arguing that losses recorded under his watch did not lead to him being singled out personally.

“Afenyo-Markin was a Board Chairman for Ghana Water. Under his watch, they made losses, but nobody singled him out. So the moment you single out Sammy Gyamfi, then you are personalising it,” he said.

According to Mr Ahi, the debate should be centred on the performance of state institutions rather than targeting individual officials.

“You are no longer talking about a state institution that has made losses. You single out Gyamfi and threaten him with huge bail. That is not right,” he said.

He warned that what he described as personal attacks on young public officials could discourage young people from participating in governance.

“When you continue like that, you kill youthful participation in governance,” he said.

Mr Ahi praised President John Mahama for giving Sammy Gyamfi the opportunity to serve and urged the public to support him in the discharge of his duties.

“The opportunity that Mahama has given to Sammy Gyamfi, he is doing his best. I think we should rather encourage, support, motivate and urge him to do more for the Ghanaian economy rather than running him down,” he said.

He maintained that Mr Gyamfi had not committed any wrongdoing and should be allowed to focus on his responsibilities at GoldBod.

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Dr Palgrave Boakye-Dankwah, speaking to Joy FM’s Newsnight on Wednesday, said supporters have picked up nomination forms on Wontumi’s behalf and plan to have him sign them at Nsawam Prison.

Chairman Wontumi is serving a 20-year prison sentence over illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

His legal team filed an application for bail pending his appeal but that application has been adjourned.

The NPP’s election timetable now collides directly with his legal situation.

Here is what the NPP constitution says, and why the dates matter more than the politics.

The NPP’s Election Calendar

The party has set October 3, 2026, for its National Executive Elections, including the national chairmanship.

Nominations close on August 22, with forms expected to be filed between August 23 and 27. Vetting of aspirants is scheduled to run from August 31 to September 3, with the results to be published on September 5.

Appeals against vetting decisions will be heard on September 6 and 7, followed by National Executive Committee and National Council meetings on September 10, then the formal Notice of Poll on September 14.

That vetting stage is the critical detail. It will be conducted by a nine-member National Vetting Committee, led by former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah. Aspirants dissatisfied with its decisions can petition a separate Appeals Committee, which must rule within 48 hours.

The Bail Hearing

Wontumi’s bail application, filed by his legal team while his appeal against the conviction proceeds, has been adjourned to October 15, 2026, after he and his lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, failed to appear in court on August 19.

That means the earliest point at which a court could even consider releasing him falls 12 days after the NPP’s chairmanship election and more than six weeks after vetting closes.

In practical terms, Wontumi is set to go through nomination, vetting and the national vote itself while still in custody, regardless of how the bail hearing eventually turns out.

What the NPP Constitution Says About Disqualification

The party’s constitution sets out clear grounds on which a member can be barred from contesting internal office.

Article 3, Section 5 of the party’s constitution indicates that a member is disqualified from holding office or contesting any party election if convicted and sentenced by a competent court for an offence involving dishonesty, fraud, moral turpitude, high treason or an offence against the security of the state, unless 10 years have passed since the sentence was served or the member has received a full pardon.

A separate clause extends the bar to any offence carrying a sentence of 10 years or more, again subject to the same exceptions.

Wontumi’s 20-year sentence falls squarely within that second threshold.

Whether the mining-related conviction also counts as an offence involving dishonesty, fraud or moral turpitude is the more contested legal question, since the constitution does not define those terms.

Aspirants for national office must also meet separate eligibility conditions unrelated to the conviction: at least two years of active, registered membership, good character, good standing within the party and up-to-date payment of dues.

Party members and commentators have pointed to the “good standing” requirement in particular as a question the NPP has not yet clearly answered for a member who is both convicted and imprisoned.

Does Ghana’s Constitution Apply Here?

Not directly.

The national chairmanship is an internal party office, not a state or public office, so the 1992 Constitution’s disqualification provisions for Parliament or the presidency do not automatically govern who can lead the party.

The Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574), confirms that parties determine their own executive officers, though national elections must be supervised by the Electoral Commission. Ghana’s Constitution protects the right of political parties to organise and elect their own leadership under freedom of association, leaving eligibility questions like this one to the NPP’s own rules.

Would Winning the Chairmanship Get Him Released?

No.

An internal party election has no power to override a High Court judgment. Wontumi’s custodial sentence remains legally in force regardless of the outcome of the NPP vote.

His release, if it happens, would have to come through one of two routes: a court granting bail pending appeal or overturning the conviction, or the President exercising the constitutional prerogative of mercy under Article 72, which allows a pardon in consultation with the Council of State.

Neither is triggered by winning an internal party contest.

The Unresolved Question

So far, nothing confirms whether the NPP’s Vetting Committee will require Wontumi to appear in person, accept a written submission on his behalf, or treat his inability to appear as grounds for disqualification on its own.

With vetting scheduled to end by September 3 and his bail hearing not until October 15, the party will have to resolve that question well before any court decides on his release.

The NPP has said it wants the elections to proceed in an orderly and predictable manner.

Whether that includes a clear answer on Wontumi’s eligibility or a decision left for delegates to sort out after nomination is likely to become clear once vetting results are published on September 5.

The visit comes after the NPP’s Oti Regional Executive Elections, in which Madam Aglago defeated Madam Mensah by 155 votes to secure the Women’s Organiser position.

During the meeting, Madam Aglago appealed to both sides to put their differences behind them and work together to strengthen the party’s Women’s Wing and its fortunes in the region.

She urged Madam Mensah to continue contributing her experience, ideas and knowledge to the party, stressing that their shared goal should be to help the NPP regain political power.

Madam Mensah welcomed the gesture and pledged her support for the newly elected leadership.

She also reaffirmed her commitment to working with the new Regional Women’s Organiser in the collective interest of the party and building a stronger and more effective Women’s Wing in the Oti Region.

The meeting is seen as an important step towards healing divisions that may have emerged during the regional elections and fostering greater cooperation among party members.

Madam Aglago was accompanied by the Oti Regional Secretary, Dr Frank Awuah, and other NPP executives.

Both leaders reiterated their commitment to unity, cooperation and working together to strengthen the party ahead of future political engagements.

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Titus Glover leads NPP National Organiser race – Global InfoAnalytics

Mr Ofosu Nkansah, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said Mr Gyamfi’s remarks were unwarranted, arguing that the Minority Leader and other opposition lawmakers have a constitutional responsibility to scrutinise government institutions.

His comments follow a press conference by Mr Afenyo-Markin on Tuesday, August 18, where he raised concerns about the operations of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and alleged losses associated with its activities.

In response, Mr Gyamfi accused Mr Afenyo-Markin and his associates of mounting what he described as a “desperate smear campaign” against GoldBod.

He also described them as “devious extortionists and political mercenaries”, alleging that their criticism was aimed at tarnishing GoldBod’s reputation and putting pressure on its management.

Reacting in a Facebook post on Thursday, August 20, Mr Ofosu Nkansah questioned why former NPP Minority Leaders were not similarly labelled when the party supported their scrutiny of government.

“When NPP was supporting your then Minority leaders, no one called them extortionists. After they got the support, they still took on the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government,” he said.

Mr Ofosu Nkansah further criticised Mr Gyamfi for attacking the Minority Leader instead of responding to the issues raised about GoldBod.

“And you people think Sammy Gyamfi is beyond criticism, so you must call our leader names for taking his agency on? You people are not serious,” he added.

He concluded with a direct jab at the GoldBod CEO:

“If you are looking for extortionists, look within your party.”

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Titus Glover leads NPP National Organiser race – Global InfoAnalytics

Mr Glover records 23% support among NPP voters surveyed, placing him ahead of Salam Mustapha, who has 14%.

Alhaji Ismaela Ibrahim follows with 8%, while Kwame A. Prempeh records 5%.

Despite Mr Glover’s lead, the race remains open, with 50% of respondents saying they have not decided on a preferred candidate.

The sizeable undecided bloc could therefore prove crucial as the candidates intensify their campaigns and mobilisation efforts ahead of the NPP’s national executive elections.

Glover leads in key regions

The regional figures show Mr Glover performing particularly strongly in the Northern Region, where he records 35% support.

He also leads in the Volta Region with 28% and records 27% each in the Ahafo and Greater Accra regions.

Salam Mustapha’s strongest showing is in the Oti Region, where he records 28% support.

He also polls 25% in the Upper West Region and 24% in the Upper East Region.

Alhaji Ismaela Ibrahim performs strongest in the Bono Region, where he attracts 28% support, followed by 23% in the North East Region and 21% in the Upper West Region.

Kwame A. Prempeh’s strongest performance is in the Bono East Region, where he records 21%.

The findings suggest that although Mr Glover currently holds the overall lead, the large number of undecided voters leaves considerable room for movement in the race.

The candidates are expected to step up their engagement with delegates and party members across the country as the NPP prepares for its national executive elections.

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The poll, released on Thursday, August 20, 2026, puts Mr Boadu ahead of former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko and former NPP National Chairman Paul Afoko.

Mr Boadu secured 27% of the preferences of NPP voters surveyed, compared with 15% for Mr Agyarko and 10% for Mr Afoko.

However, the contest remains open, with 47% of respondents declining to name a preferred candidate.

The large undecided bloc could therefore prove decisive as the party moves towards its national executive elections.

Boadu records strongest favourability

Mr Boadu also leads his two main contenders in favourability ratings.

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

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

Mr Afoko also records 50% favourability but has an 18% unfavourable rating, giving him a net approval of 32%.

The regional figures further reinforce Mr Boadu’s position.

He leads the named candidates in Bono East with 43%, Greater Accra with 38%, North East with 38%, Upper East with 41%, Northern with 29% and the Central Region with 27%.

Mr Agyarko remains competitive, recording 23% in Bono East, 22% in Greater Accra and 21% in the Central Region.

Mr Afoko’s strongest regional performance is in Savannah, where he records 22%, followed by 19% in the North East Region.

Despite these figures, significant uncertainty remains in several regions. In the Ashanti Region, 71% of respondents are undecided, while Oti and Upper West record 63% each. Western North has 60% undecided voters, with Volta at 56%.

Kodua leads General Secretary race

In the General Secretary contest, incumbent Justin Kodua Frimpong has opened a significant lead over his potential challengers.

Mr Kodua records 36% support, followed by Eugene Antwi with 10%, Sylvester Tetteh with 5% and Charles Dwamena with 3%.

Another 46% of respondents have no preferred candidate.

Mr Kodua’s strongest showing comes from the Central Region, where he records 60%.

He also leads in Greater Accra with 54%, Bono East with 44%, Upper East with 43%, Northern with 40%, Ahafo with 39% and North East with 39%.

Eugene Antwi’s strongest support comes from Bono East at 30%, followed by Volta at 18% and Greater Accra at 14%.

Titus Glover leads National Organiser race

Former Greater Accra Regional Minister Titus Glover is ahead in the National Organiser contest.

Mr Glover attracts 23% support, compared with 14% for Salam Mustapha, 8% for Alhaji Ismaela Ibrahim and 5% for Kwame A. Prempeh.

Half of respondents—50%—remain undecided.

Mr Glover’s strongest performance is in the Northern Region, where he records 35%. He also polls 28% in Volta and 27% each in Ahafo and Greater Accra.

Salam Mustapha leads in Oti with 28% and records 25% in Upper West and 24% in Upper East.

Alhaji Ismaela Ibrahim performs strongly in Bono with 28%, followed by 23% in North East and 21% in Upper West.

Kwame A. Prempeh’s best showing is in Bono East, where he records 21%.

Boadu supporters favour Kodua

The poll also suggests that preferences in the chairmanship contest could influence the other national executive races.

Among voters who support John Boadu for National Chairman, 63% back Justin Kodua Frimpong for General Secretary.

Mr Kodua also receives support from 53% of Boakye Agyarko supporters and 49% of Paul Afoko supporters.

Eugene Antwi attracts 21% of Agyarko supporters, 15% of Boadu supporters and 19% of Afoko supporters.

A similar trend is evident in the National Organiser race.

Titus Glover is preferred by 43% of Boakye Agyarko supporters, 36% of John Boadu supporters and 34% of Paul Afoko supporters.

Salam Mustapha, meanwhile, attracts 20% of Agyarko supporters, 24% of Boadu supporters and 31% of Afoko supporters.

The figures indicate that both Kodua and Glover have managed to attract support across the camps of the three leading chairmanship contenders.

Undecided voters hold key to outcome

Despite the leads recorded by Boadu, Kodua and Glover, the high level of undecided voters means none of the contests can yet be considered settled.

The chairmanship race has 47% undecided voters, compared with 46% in the General Secretary contest and 50% in the National Organiser race.

The findings therefore point to fluid contests in which candidates still have considerable room to expand their support.

The Global InfoAnalytics survey was conducted through telephone interviews between August 10 and 12, 2026.

A total of 2,557 respondents were surveyed across all 16 regions using probability random sampling, with regional quota limits and the 2024 Electoral Commission register serving as the sample frame.

The survey reports a 99% confidence level and a margin of error of plus or minus 2.56 percentage points.

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The delegation, representing the party’s National Women’s Wing, picked the forms and formally presented them to Hajia Safia Mohammed, who is seeking to lead the NPP’s National Women’s Wing.

Addressing the women after the presentation, Hajia Safia Mohammed appealed to members of the Women’s Wing across the country to support her candidacy and vote for her in the upcoming elections.

She expressed confidence in the collective strength of NPP women and called for unity behind her candidature to secure victory in the election.

Hajia Safia Mohammed also pledged to work with women at all levels of the party and champion initiatives aimed at strengthening the participation and contribution of women within the NPP.

She urged delegates to rally behind her vision and vote massively to give her the mandate to serve as the party’s next National Women Organizer.

The presentation of the forms marks another step in the campaign ahead of the NPP’s National Women Organizer election, with contenders expected to engage delegates and outline their respective visions for the future of the Women’s Wing.

The coordinated exercise is being seen as a show of grassroots support for Mr Gyamfi’s candidacy, highlighting his growing reach within the party’s youth structures.

The mobilisation across five regions demonstrates the candidate’s ability to rally young party members at both constituency and regional levels, while reflecting growing calls for youth participation and generational renewal within the party.

A youth organiser from Greater Accra who participated in the exercise said the enthusiasm recorded across the regions reflected strong grassroots support for fresh leadership.

“The energy we’re seeing across these regions reflects genuine grassroots enthusiasm for bringing fresh perspectives and vigorous leadership to the youth directorate,” the organiser said.

Kwame Poku CiD has been active within the NPP’s youth organisation over the years, particularly in party strategy and youth mobilisation.

His supporters say his experience in constituency-level organisation and ability to build networks across regions make him a strong contender for the national youth leadership position.

The nomination exercise marks the beginning of the campaign process, with Mr Gyamfi’s campaign expected to intensify efforts to secure support from youth delegates across the country ahead of the party’s internal elections.

“Will the NPP accept responsibility for the misuse and mismanagement of state resources while they were in government for eight years?” he asked.

Speaking in an interview about the successful conduct of the NPP’s regional executive elections, Mr Gbande said changing executives was a routine exercise for all political parties.

Culture

He said what the NPP did was not a new culture, stressing that the new executives were all old members of the party who contributed to the mess the country had found itself in.

He said the credibility of the party was critical to its success.

While commending the NPP for the peaceful conduct of the regional elections, Mr Gbande said they might have all the ideas but if they lacked credibility the party could never be successful.

He alleged that the flag bearer of the NPP, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, supported a number of candidates but those candidates lost.

He said the NPP election did not show the bottom up approach of reorganisation.

Mr Gbande said the NPP missed the moments and benefits of sober reflection after the humiliating defeat before reorganising, stressing that “they rather thought being evasive towards government will bring them together faster but that is also failing.”

New era
Mr Gbande said the country had moved to a new era of politics where the citizenry abhorred mismanagement, corruption and misuse of state resources.

He said the NDC government under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama was cleaning the mess the NPP left behind while in government.

Mr Gbande said while Ghanaians appreciated the lean government being operated by President Mahama, the NPP was very uncomfortable.

Background
The NPP successfully conducted its regional executive elections, with the outcome seen as more than an internal housekeeping exercise.

The post-2024 data shows a party that lost ground far beyond its traditional swing zones.

The collapse was steepest in the Greater Accra Region, from 21 parliamentary seats in 2016 to just five in 2024.

In the Ashanti Region, which is the “heartbeat” of the party, the NPP lost eight of its 47 seats in that stronghold.

More worrying for strategists, the NDC’s vote share climbed from a ceiling of 28 per cent to 35 per cent.

Belief
The NPP acknowledges that what unites them is the brief to rebuild trust with members, re-engage floating voters, and deliver parliamentary seats.

The party knows that its 2024 loss was not just organisational but was about voter perception of the economy, jobs and cost of living.

Dr Palgrave Boakye-Dankwah said supporters of the NPP stalwart are preparing to obtain and file nomination forms on his behalf, despite questions surrounding his eligibility under the party’s constitution.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Wednesday, August 19, he said the forms would be picked up before the end of the week as Wontumi remains committed to the contest.

“Chairman Wontumi is a politician. His friends believe in his ambition, and they are going to make sure that his form will be picked, submitted and filed,” he said.

Dr Boakye-Dankwah argued that there was no legal restriction preventing Wontumi or his supporters from initiating the nomination process.

He said the decision by the supporters was based on their belief that Wontumi’s imprisonment should not be used to prevent him from participating in the party’s internal elections.

“I’m certain that the friends of Chairman Wontumi premised their decision to pick up a form for him purely based on the party’s position on the imprisonment of Chairman Wontumi, considering him as a political prisoner,” he said.

His comments come amid debate over provisions of the NPP constitution concerning members who have been convicted and sentenced for certain offences.

The spokesperson, however, said Wontumi’s team would proceed with the nomination process and address any objections or challenges that may emerge.

He disclosed that the nomination forms were expected to be collected on Friday and subsequently taken to Wontumi for his signature before being filed.

Dr Boakye-Dankwah also rejected calls for Wontumi to suspend his political ambitions and concentrate solely on his legal case.

He said the former Ashanti Regional Chairman had already made significant progress in his campaign before his incarceration, having toured all 16 regions and the 276 constituencies.

“Chairman was one of the first persons who stepped into the competition. He’s done his first round of the campaign already,” he said.

Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years in prison over illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, sitting at the Criminal Division of the High Court, handed down the sentence on Monday, July 20, 2026.

The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000, with an additional three-year prison term in default of payment.

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In a Facebook post on Wednesday, August 19, Ms Manu argued that the challenge was based on what she described as a “technical sleight of hand” intended to shift attention away from the financial losses associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).

She cited the IMF Ghana Country Report, particularly paragraphs 13 and 14, which she said documented losses of more than US$1.7 billion in 2025, equivalent to 1.5% of GDP.

Ms Manu explained that although the losses were recorded on the Bank of Ghana’s balance sheet, the central bank provided the financial backing for the gold purchases during the period, while GoldBod was responsible for executing the programme.

She also pointed to the IMF report’s reference to service and assay fees paid to GoldBod as one of the factors contributing to the losses.

“Claiming victory because the loss sits on the Central Bank’s balance sheet while the operations were run under GoldBod is textbook gaslighting,” Ms Manu said.

“You cannot run a programme, pile up over $1.7 billion in losses for Ghanaian taxpayers and the BoG, and then pretend the numbers don’t belong to you.”

She added that the DGPP was scheduled to be fully transferred to GoldBod from July 1, 2026.

Ms Manu concluded by urging the public to focus on the facts surrounding the programme’s financial performance rather than what she described as attempts to distort the figures.

“FACTS OVER SPINNING. That lie should be rejected!” she said.

Mr Gyamfi made the remarks during a question-and-answer session at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in response to a question about whether he was becoming nervous amid mounting attacks against him.

He described some of the statements directed at him as reckless and lacking substance, saying he regarded them more as comic relief than serious threats.

“So you see, such statements are reckless,” he said.

“They are what I call the fanciful effusions of a palm wine bar. You take it as comic relief. And it is very sad.”

Mr Gyamfi also criticised what he described as a decline in the quality of parliamentary debate, comparing the current occupant of the Minority Leader’s position with former holders of the seat whom he said were known for their depth, substance and commanding contributions.

He cited former parliamentarians J.H. Mensah, Papa Owusu-Ankomah and Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu as examples of the standard he believed the office had previously represented.

“This is somebody occupying a seat once occupied by the venerable J.H. Mensah, the venerable Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu,” he said.

“Look at the depth and the substance of these personalities. When they rose to speak in Parliament, look at their commanding [contributions].”

Mr Gyamfi accused the current Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, of lowering that standard through what he described as noisy and poorly researched commentary.

“And look at how this seat has now been sold, bastardised and depraved by a noisemaker who cannot even read and research and get his facts right,” he said.

Despite the criticism and what he described as attempts to intimidate him, Mr Gyamfi said he remained unperturbed and was prepared to face whatever consequences might arise from his work.

“So I will go to prison in his brain, and I will have onerous jail terms in his brain,” he said.

He maintained that his actions were driven by a commitment to national service rather than personal or political considerations, saying the record of his work would ultimately determine how he was judged.

“I’m not afraid of any intimidating tactics because we are serving Ghana in good conscience, and our results and posterity will speak for us,” Mr Gyamfi said.

Mahama deserves praise for creating Youth Development Ministry – Osman Ayariga

Sammy Gyamfi dares Afenyo-Markin to produce evidence of GoldBod losses

Mr Ayariga said the government had demonstrated its commitment to youth development through the creation of the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment and the implementation of programmes aimed at equipping young people with skills and opportunities.

Speaking at the National Youth Forum organised by the ministry at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Wednesday, August 19, he said the government was working across several areas to improve opportunities for young Ghanaians.

He highlighted the National Apprenticeship Programme, which he said had exceeded its initial target of 10,000 beneficiaries and reached 14,000, as well as efforts to support young entrepreneurs through engagements with the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Mr Ayariga also pointed to the government’s focus on skills development, mentoring, standardisation and the creation of an enabling environment for young people to establish businesses and create jobs.

He said President Mahama deserved commendation for the measures being implemented to address the concerns of the youth.

“President Mahama is ‘clocking everywhere in his government’,” he said, in describing what he considers the administration’s attention to multiple areas of national development.

He urged stakeholders to continue investing in Ghana’s young people, arguing that empowering them today would strengthen the country’s economic and governance prospects tomorrow.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19, Mr Gyamfi insisted that claims that GoldBod recorded losses in 2025 were not supported by the Auditor-General’s report.

According to him, the Auditor-General’s findings confirm that GoldBod did not record the losses being alleged by the opposition and its supporters.

He also rejected claims that the Auditor-General was denied access to complete information on GoldBod’s gold transactions, describing such assertions as either a misunderstanding of the external audit process or an attempt to discredit an independent constitutional institution.

“I invite you, the media, you who are the fourth estate of the realm, to check the veracity of this claim,” Mr Gyamfi said.

He maintained that officials from the Auditor-General’s office had unhindered access to all relevant information required to audit GoldBod’s 2025 financial statements.

“All documents requested by them were supplied and all queries raised by them in their management letter were satisfactorily answered,” he stated.

Mr Gyamfi further stressed that the Auditor-General made no adverse audit finding against GoldBod in the 2025 report.

“This is why not a single, and I repeat, not a single adverse audit finding was made by the Auditor-General in his 2025 Auditor’s Report on GoldBod,” he said.

GoldBod not responsible for BoG losses – Gyamfi

The GoldBod CEO also accused Afenyo-Markin and his associates of shifting their focus after claims that GoldBod itself had incurred losses failed to gain traction.

He said the narrative had now moved to allegations that GoldBod was responsible for losses recorded by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

“Ladies and gentlemen, nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.

Mr Gyamfi said a recently published report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) did not accuse GoldBod of causing the losses reported by the central bank.

He therefore challenged the Minority Leader to identify any specific paragraph, sentence or phrase in the IMF report that explicitly blames GoldBod for the BoG’s losses.

“I challenge Afenyo-Markin to point to any paragraph, sentence or phrase in the self-referenced report of the IMF where GoldBod was accused by the IMF as the entity responsible for losses incurred by the Bank of Ghana,” he said.

Mr Gyamfi urged the media and the public to assess the Auditor-General’s findings and the IMF report based on the actual contents of the official documents rather than political interpretations.

His comments come amid an ongoing political debate over GoldBod’s financial performance and its role in Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

Mr Gyamfi described the allegation as a “barefaced lie”, insisting that GoldBod’s audited financial statements show a significantly different financial position.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, he accused the opposition, particularly Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, of repeatedly making the claim in Parliament and through the media.

According to him, GoldBod has on several occasions challenged the allegation and urged the public to rely on the institution’s audited accounts when assessing its financial performance.

Mr Gyamfi said the audited annual report and financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, indicate that GoldBod recorded an operational surplus of GH¢907 million and an overall surplus of GH¢5.4 billion.

“Afenyo-Markin and his followers alleged on several occasions on the floor of Parliament and in the media that the Ghana Gold Board made losses in 2025. This claim is a barefaced lie which has been debunked times without number by GoldBod.

“The audited annual reports and financial statements of GoldBod for the year ended December 31, 2025, prepared and published by the Auditor-General of Ghana, disclose an operational surplus of GH¢907 million and an overall surplus of GH¢5.4 billion. This is an incontrovertible fact,” he said.

He maintained that the audited financial statements, rather than what he described as politically motivated assertions, should form the basis for discussions about GoldBod’s financial performance.

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.

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

The contest is more than a battle for one of the NPP’s most influential positions.

It comes at a defining moment for the party, which is in opposition following its defeat in the 2024 general elections and is seeking to rebuild its structures, restore unity and prepare for another electoral battle in 2028.

The eventual winner will inherit the responsibility of organising the party at the grassroots, managing internal cohesion and helping build the political machinery required to support the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in the next general election.

Stephen Ntim himself arrived at the chairmanship after a remarkable journey. He contested the position five times before finally winning in 2022, polling 4,014 votes. Before becoming Chairman, he served as the party’s First Vice-Chairman between 2001 and 2005.

Now, four political personalities with distinctly different records are positioning themselves to take over.

John Boadu – The party organiser

For John Boadu, the argument is built largely around experience and institutional knowledge.

Mr Boadu is one of the NPP’s longest-serving national officers. His political journey within the party has taken him from polling-station chairman and constituency secretary to National Youth Organiser, National Organiser, Acting General Secretary and, eventually, substantive General Secretary.

He joined the party’s Danquah-Busia tradition in the early 1990s and has spent more than three decades working within its structures.

His national executive experience is particularly extensive.

He served as National Organiser between 2014 and 2018 and became Acting General Secretary in 2015 following the suspension of then-General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong. He subsequently won the substantive General Secretary position in 2018.

His bid for the chairmanship is therefore being presented as a continuation of a long career in party organisation.

Mr Boadu has argued that the NPP needs tested and experienced leadership to rebuild after its 2024 defeat. He says the party has lost touch with important constituencies, including the youth, business community, middle class, academia, clergy and other stakeholders.

He has also taken his campaign directly to the grassroots. In July, he announced a nationwide engagement tour to meet regional and constituency executives, party wings and other stakeholders as part of his efforts to reconnect the party and prepare it for 2028.

His biggest selling point is therefore straightforward: experience in virtually every layer of the NPP’s organisational structure.

Boakye Agyarko – The strategist and reformer

Former Energy Minister and former NPP presidential aspirant Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko offers a different proposition.

Agyarko is a veteran politician whose campaign has centred on rebuilding, restructuring and rebranding the NPP.

He formally declared his intention to contest the National Chairmanship in September 2025 after consultations with family members, associates and party supporters.

His campaign has since developed a strong grassroots component.

Agyarko has travelled across the regions engaging constituency executives, party elders, patrons, communicators and grassroots activists. His message has consistently revolved around reconciliation, discipline, welfare and strengthening the party’s organisational machinery.

He has argued that the NPP had a strong presidential candidate in 2024 but a party structure that was not sufficiently robust to deliver victory. His stated mission is to rebuild the organisation so that Dr Bawumia can lead the party to victory in 2028.

His proposed reforms include improving the welfare of party executives, strengthening resource mobilisation and distribution, upgrading party infrastructure and establishing a more effective national, regional and constituency-level organisational structure.

Agyarko has also placed considerable emphasis on communications, arguing that the party needs a coordinated communications structure running from the polling-station level through to the national executive.

His campaign has attracted the backing of notable party figures. He has appointed former First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu, popularly known as Joe Wise, as Senior Campaign Adviser and former Interior Minister Henry Quartey as Campaign Manager.

For Agyarko, the central question is not simply who should chair the NPP, but what kind of organisation the party must become to win again.

Paul Afoko – The former Chairman seeking a second coming

Perhaps the most intriguing candidate is Paul Afoko, because he is not seeking the position for the first time.

Mr Afoko became NPP National Chairman in April 2014 after defeating Stephen Ntim and other contenders at the party’s Tamale congress. He became the first person of northern Ghanaian extraction to occupy the position.

His tenure, however, was short-lived and became one of the most turbulent chapters in the party’s recent history.

He was indefinitely suspended in 2015 amid deep internal disagreements and allegations that he had acted against the interests of the party’s then-flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo. Afoko disputed the circumstances surrounding his suspension.

Yet his supporters point to what they regard as important institutional reforms during his period in office.

Afoko has recalled his efforts to strengthen constituency structures, including providing financial support to constituencies to establish and maintain bank accounts. He has also pointed to the organisation of parliamentary primaries and what he describes as transparent and inclusive internal elections.

In July 2026, he formally announced his return to the chairmanship contest, calling on aggrieved and excluded party members to return and outlining a “3Rs” agenda — Reunite, Rebuild and Recapture Power.

Importantly, the NPP National Council in June dismissed a petition seeking to prevent Afoko from contesting the upcoming chairmanship election, affirming his eligibility to participate.

His campaign therefore carries both experience and history.

The central question for delegates will be whether Afoko’s return represents an opportunity for reconciliation and institutional renewal or a reopening of old wounds.

Sammy Crabbe — The institutional reformer

Then comes Sammy Crabbe, a politician whose NPP credentials stretch across both regional and national structures.

Crabbe is a former Second National Vice Chairman of the NPP and has previously contested the party’s national chairmanship. He has now formally renewed his ambition to become National Chairman.

His political career within the NPP includes a period as Greater Accra Regional Chairman, before moving onto the national executive platform.

In the 2014 national executive elections, Crabbe contested for the National Vice Chairman position and finished strongly behind Freddie Blay. He later served as the party’s Second Vice Chairman.

His return to the chairmanship race therefore comes with considerable institutional experience.

But Crabbe’s campaign is being defined particularly by his call for systemic reform.
In the aftermath of the NPP’s 2024 defeat, he has argued that the party’s challenges cannot be solved merely by changing individuals at the top.

He has called for reforms to the party’s internal systems, greater attention to members and stakeholders, and stronger mechanisms for rewarding contributions.

One of his key concerns has been what he describes as a lack of a proper duty of care towards party members.

In announcing his chairmanship ambition, he argued that an organisation with numerous aims and objectives should also have structures that recognise and take care of those who contribute to its success.

Crabbe has subsequently outlined a vision centred on integrity, inclusion and constitutional reform, arguing that the NPP needs to strengthen internal democracy and restore confidence among its members.

That makes his campaign particularly interesting.

While some candidates are making their case largely around political experience or grassroots mobilisation, Crabbe is seeking to make the election a conversation about systems and institutional renewal.

His challenge will be convincing delegates that structural reform can translate into electoral strength

Chairman Wontumi – The Ashanti powerhouse

Then there is Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, perhaps the most grassroots-driven and regionally powerful of the four.

Wontumi has built his political reputation from the constituency level upwards.

Before becoming Ashanti Regional Chairman, he served as constituency chairman for Bosomtwe. He first won the Ashanti Regional Chairmanship in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2022. In the 2022 election, he secured 464 votes against 306 for his closest contender.

His long tenure in Ashanti, the NPP’s traditional political stronghold, has given him considerable influence within the party.

Wontumi argues that his record demonstrates loyalty, commitment and political mobilisation. He has openly told delegates that the chairmanship contest should be determined by commitment and competence and has expressed the ambition of becoming the first Ashanti Regional Chairman to rise to the national chairmanship.

His campaign has also assembled a formidable team, with former MP Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh as Campaign Chairman and former New Edubiase MP George Oduro as Campaign Manager, alongside several other senior party figures.

But Wontumi’s candidacy has encountered an unprecedented complication.

His recent conviction and prison sentence have thrown uncertainty over the future of his chairmanship campaign. His campaign manager has indicated that consultations with the NPP’s General Secretary and other stakeholders would be necessary before determining whether the campaign should continue.

That development introduces a major question into what had been shaping up as a highly competitive four-way contest.

Five candidates, five arguments

The emerging contest can therefore be viewed as a clash of political credentials.

John Boadu brings decades of organisational experience and intimate knowledge of the NPP’s national structures.

Boakye Agyarko presents himself as a strategist focused on rebuilding, restructuring and rebranding the party.

Paul Afoko offers the experience of a former National Chairman seeking what he describes as a second opportunity to reunite and rebuild the party.

Sammy Crabbe is making the case for institutional reform, inclusion and stronger systems.

Chairman Wontumi brings the strength of a powerful regional political base and a record of repeated victories in the Ashanti Regional Chairmanship contest.

But the delegates will ultimately have to answer a bigger question:

What does the NPP need from its next National Chairman?

The answer may determine which of these five political heavyweights eventually emerges victorious.

The next chairman will inherit a party that needs to rebuild its grassroots structures, restore confidence among supporters, manage competing interests and prepare for the 2028 elections.

He will also have to work with the party’s flagbearer and national leadership without allowing internal competition to undermine the larger objective of returning the NPP to power.

That makes the chairmanship more than an internal party position.

It could become the command centre of the NPP’s rebuilding project.

And as John Boadu, Boakye Agyarko, Paul Afoko, Sammy Crabbe and Chairman Wontumi position themselves for the contest, delegates will ultimately have to decide which political story — experience, reform, reconciliation, systems or grassroots power — offers the best route back to Jubilee House.

The battle to succeed Stephen Ntim has begun.

ALSO READ : John Boadu leads NPP chairmanship race as 47% remain undecided – Global InfoAnalytics

His comments followed the presentation of his nomination forms by a group of NPP constituency chairpersons who purchased and picked the forms on his behalf.

The delegation was led by former Ayawaso West Wuogon Member of Parliament, Lydia Seyram Alhassan.

Mr Agyarko expressed gratitude to the constituency chairpersons and other supporters for backing his candidature, describing their gesture as a demonstration of confidence in his ability to help the party recover from its recent electoral setbacks.

“I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Constituency Chairmen who purchased and picked this form for me and those who accompanied them. I’m truly humbled by this gesture. Chairmen, I’m truly grateful,” he said.

He acknowledged that the NPP had suffered a setback but maintained that the party remained capable of making a strong comeback.

“To the rest of the NPP fraternity, let me assure you that this party shall rise again. This party may have gone down, but we’re not out. With dedication and commitment…we will rise again,” he said.

Mr Agyarko said his vision for the chairmanship would focus on rebuilding the party’s structures and rebranding the NPP into a disciplined and effective electoral organisation.

According to him, a strong party structure would provide the necessary platform for the NPP’s 2028 flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to mount a successful campaign to reclaim the presidency.

“My task as a chairman is to lead in the rebuilding and rebranding of the party into a solid electoral machine upon which our flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, will stand firmly and win the 2028 election with ease,” he said.

‘Empower the grassroots or forget 2028’ – NPP 1st Vice Chairman…

Kwaku Nkansah PaaNii endorses John Boadu for NPP National Chairman

He said the government and law enforcement agencies were within their rights to demand explanations from former public officials where there were questions about the management of state resources.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in the Odododiodio constituency in Accra on Tuesday, August 18, Mr Gbande said former appointees who received public funds for projects, contracts or the supply of goods must be prepared to account for those resources.

He cited instances where government payments had allegedly been made for goods or services that were not subsequently delivered, insisting that such cases warranted investigation.

“There are those who took money for contracts. They took cheques from the government and promised to supply things they did not supply. If the police have called you to come and explain, is that a problem?” he said.

Mr Gbande maintained that being invited by the police or other state agencies to answer questions did not in itself amount to persecution, arguing that accountability was necessary whenever concerns emerged over public expenditure.

He said the government would continue to pursue such matters to establish what happened to state funds entrusted to former officials.

The comments come against the backdrop of growing tensions between the government and the NPP over investigations involving members of the previous administration.

The NPP has accused the government of selectively targeting its members and abusing state institutions, claims that contributed to the party’s “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration in Accra on August 6, 2026.

Among the former NPP officials investigated is former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Dennis Miracles Aboagye, who was arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in July over alleged financial and procurement irregularities.

According to him, constituency executives are the party’s frontline soldiers who mobilise supporters, protect polling stations and drive electoral activities long before national party leaders arrive on the campaign trail.

Mr Bamba made the call while engaging delegates across about 12 constituencies in the Ashanti Region as part of his campaign for the position.

He said the NPP must move beyond celebrating grassroots activists during election periods and instead provide them with the resources, training and support needed to effectively perform their roles.

“These constituency executives are the ones who work for power to be attained, but they are often sidelined when power is attained. This is why I want to be down there at the grassroots at this critical moment,” he said.

He said his priority, if elected, would be to work closely with constituency structures to strengthen their capacity to monitor polling stations, protect the electoral process and mobilise voters ahead of the 2028 elections.

“I want to work with the constituencies, ensure they are empowered to protect the polling stations, the registration processes and work hard to win power,” Mr Bamba said.

The former Deputy National Director of Operations of the NPP’s youth wing said the party’s path back to government must begin at the polling station and not only at the national headquarters.

He also stressed the need for party members to work collectively to secure victory for the NPP’s 2028 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“We need to work hard to ensure Dr Mahamudu Bawumia wins power in 2028,” he said.

As part of his campaign engagements, Mr Bamba visited Power Chapel Worldwide, where he sought spiritual guidance from Reverend Victor Kusi-Boateng on his bid to serve in the national leadership of the NPP.

Meanwhile, Anthony Amankwaa, Oforikrom Constituency NPP Chairman, described Mr Bamba as a committed party activist whose experience at the grassroots could strengthen the party’s mobilisation machinery.

“Our brother Kojo Bamba’s message is powerful. His engagement indicates that, should we give him the nod, he will be positioned to help the party win power in 2028 because indeed the work of the party sits at the grassroots, and this is where Kojo has been all these years,” he said.

With the NPP already looking ahead to the 2028 elections, the contest for national leadership is increasingly becoming a debate over who can rebuild the party from the polling station upwards.

For Kojo Bamba, the priority is to give grassroots party members the tools, voice and recognition they need to help the NPP return to power.

Mr PaaNii, a former NPP UK Branch Chairman, said his endorsement was based on nearly 14 years of personal and political association with Mr Boadu, whom he described as hardworking, approachable, strategic and deeply committed to the party.

Recounting their first meeting in Mamprobi, Mr PaaNii said he was struck by Mr Boadu’s ability to connect with ordinary party members despite his senior position within the NPP.

He said his subsequent interactions with Mr Boadu over the years, particularly when he served as National Organiser and later Acting General Secretary, further convinced him of his leadership capabilities.

According to Mr PaaNii, Mr Boadu had consistently demonstrated an ability to resolve difficult political and organisational challenges without unnecessarily delaying action.

He cited an incident during an NPP programme in Amsterdam in 2015, saying Mr Boadu’s calm and strategic intervention helped resolve a difficult situation despite his own preference for a more confrontational approach at the time.

Mr PaaNii also recalled Mr Boadu’s support during his tenure as Managing Director of PBC Limited, describing the former NPP General Secretary as a dependable ally when the company faced several challenges.

He said Mr Boadu was always willing to engage relevant authorities and seek solutions to problems rather than postpone them.

“He is not the ‘let’s wait and see’ type of person. He deals with the situation there and then,” Mr PaaNii said.

He acknowledged that Mr Boadu, like every human being, had his shortcomings and that some party members might have disagreed with his methods or felt offended by him.

However, he urged such individuals to consider Mr Boadu’s contribution to the NPP in its broader context.

“He is a man, he has flaws, he is a pragmatist, and sometimes, this may have gotten him into cul-de-sacs, but that is how dynamic human nature is and he will always find a way for us,” he said.

Mr PaaNii argued that Mr Boadu’s previous experience as National Organiser and Acting General Secretary, during which the NPP won the 2016 general elections, demonstrated his capacity to lead the party towards electoral victory.

He described the former General Secretary as someone capable of connecting with party members across generations and said his approachable nature and work ethic made him suitable for the National Chairmanship.

“If we the NPP want power in 2028, then I would recommend to you John Kwame Boadu,” he said.

Mr PaaNii, who previously contested the NPP National Vice Chairman position in 2022, urged delegates to support Mr Boadu in the upcoming national elections.

“Cometh the hour, cometh the man and this is John Kwame Boadu’s turn,” he said.

He expressed confidence that Mr Boadu could help the NPP rebuild and secure victory in the 2028 general elections.

“The Elephant is ready for 2028 and so is John Kwame Boadu,” he added.

The NPP is scheduled to hold its national executive elections on October 3, 2026, with several aspirants expected to contest various positions.

The regional chairmen today purchased nomination forms for Mr. Agyarko, expressing their confidence in his ability to effectively represent and lead the party as National Chairman.

Receiving the nomination form, Boakye Agyarko thanked the regional chairpersons for what he described as their immense support and confidence in his candidature.

He said the gesture was a demonstration of the trust reposed in him and pledged to work with party members and stakeholders to strengthen the NPP.

Some supporters who spoke to Adom News also threw their weight behind Mr. Agyarko, saying they believe he has the experience, leadership qualities and commitment required to serve as the party’s National Chairman.