NPP Sets October 10 for Presidential Ballot Draw Ahead of 2026 Flagbearer Race

NPP Schedules Balloting for Presidential Primary on October 10

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced that it will conduct balloting for the positioning of candidates on the ballot paper for its upcoming presidential primary on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the party’s national headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra.

The process will determine the order in which the names of the five vetted aspirants will appear on the ballot for the January 31, 2026, presidential primary. The exercise forms part of the party’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and fair internal election process.

Five Aspirants to Participate in Ballot Draw

The five presidential hopefuls who have successfully gone through the party’s vetting process and will be participating in the draw include:

• Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong – former NPP General Secretary
• Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong – former Member of Parliament for Assin Central
• Hon. Dr. Bryan Acheampong – former Minister for Agriculture and MP for Abetifi
• H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia – former Vice President of the Republic
• Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum – former Minister for Education and MP for Bosomtwe

A letter signed by William Yamoah, Secretary to the Presidential Elections Committee, formally invited all five candidates to participate in the exercise and confirm their attendance.

The NPP’s presidential primary is a critical step in selecting a potential successor to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whose tenure ended in 2024. As one of the two major political parties in Ghana, the NPP’s internal leadership decisions significantly influence national political discourse, policy direction, and electoral outcomes.

With Ghana’s next general election scheduled for December 2028, the flagbearer chosen from this primary is likely to be one of the country’s leading candidates for the presidency.

A Test of Party Unity and Democratic Maturity

The Presidential Elections Committee, which oversees the vetting and election process, has praised the aspirants for conducting themselves with decorum throughout the vetting phase. In a statement, the Committee noted that the conduct of the candidates reflects the NPP’s “maturity and democratic values.”

“The party remains committed to a free, fair, and credible process that strengthens unity and prepares us for victory in 2028,” the Committee emphasized.

Ghana has long been hailed as a beacon of democratic stability in West Africa. Events such as this internal party election are seen as vital in preserving that reputation, especially at a time when democratic institutions in the region are under pressure due to military coups and political instability in neighboring countries.

The January 2026 NPP presidential primary is expected to be highly competitive, with strong contenders including former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former MP Kennedy Agyapong, both of whom have already drawn significant support from different factions within the party.

Observers expect the internal campaign season to ramp up following the balloting process, with candidates engaging party delegates nationwide ahead of the final vote.

As the NPP moves closer to selecting its presidential candidate for 2028, the transparency and credibility of its internal processes will be closely watched not just by party members, but by the wider Ghanaian public and political analysts across Africa. How the party navigates this leadership transition may influence its cohesion and electoral performance in the years ahead.

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