A fierce internal contest is shaping up within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) as seven prominent figures have emerged as potential contender
A fierce internal contest is shaping up within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) as seven prominent figures have emerged as potential contenders for the powerful position of General Secretary, setting the stage for one of the most hotly contested elections in the party’s recent history.
So far, the names making rounds include Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Justin Kodua Frimpong – the incumbent, Sylvester Tetteh, Eugene Boakye Antwi, Henry Kwabena Kokofu, Charles Dwamena and lately Samuel Atta Akyea.
Each represents a distinct generation and ideological wing within the NPP, signaling a clash of personalities, strategies, and visions for the party’s renewal ahead of the 2028 general elections.
A Party in Transition
The NPP’s internal race comes against the backdrop of its painful defeat in the 2024 general elections, which saw the party losing both the presidency and parliamentary majority to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The loss triggered a wave of introspection and calls for leadership renewal as the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition seeks to rebuild public confidence and reenergize its grassroots base.
With many party members blaming organizational lapses, weak communication structures, and internal factionalism for the electoral setback, the upcoming National Delegates’ Conference — where a new General Secretary will be elected — is viewed as critical to the party’s future.
Atta Akyea’s Silent Calculations
Among the emerging names, former Abuakwa South MP Samuel Atta Akyea has become the subject of intense speculation.
Though he has not publicly declared his intention, social media flyers and whispers within party circles suggest he is preparing to enter the race.
A seasoned lawyer and respected legislator, Atta Akyea succeeded President Nana Akufo-Addo as MP for Abuakwa South in 2009 and served as Minister for Works and Housing under the Akufo-Addo administration.
Known for his disciplined and articulate political style, Atta Akyea is admired for his grasp of constitutional and governance issues.
Ursula Owusu
Leading the charge among declared aspirants is Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the former Minister for Communications and Digitalisation and MP for Ablekuma West.
She officially announced her bid on her birthday on Monday, calling on the party to “reorganize and reignite” its founding spirit to reclaim power from what she described as “an accident-of-a-government.”
In a passionate message, Ursula Owusu acknowledged that the NPP had endured a “stormy face-off” following its 2024 defeat but insisted that this period of turmoil was a “necessary phase of self-introspection.”
She pledged to unify the party’s rank and file, rebuild trust from the polling stations upward, and restore the NPP’s credibility as the “vehicle of national transformation.”
Ursula Owusu, known for her toughness and advocacy for women’s empowerment, described herself as “the fighter you have always known — nurtured, proven, and prepared.”
Her candidacy has already stirred strong reactions, with some party loyalists hailing her as the right choice for modernizing the NPP, while others believe her outspoken style could further polarize factions within the party. She is believed not to be a team player, a major disadvantaged to her candidacy.
Sylvester Tetteh: The Youthful Reformer
Former MP for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro and ex-Deputy Minister for Information, Sylvester Tetteh, has also entered the race, promising to bring bold, tech-driven, and youth-centered leadership to the NPP.
Speaking in an interview with Nhyira FM, he said, “The NPP needs innovation, energy, and unity – and I am ready to serve.”
Sly Tetteh, a former Chief Executive of the National Youth Authority, highlighted the need for data-driven organization, effective communication, and grassroots mobilization as tools to revive the party’s fortunes.
Eugene Boakye Antwi: The Organisational Strategist
Another strong contender is Eugene Boakye Antwi, former MP for Subin and one-time Deputy Minister for Works and Housing.
In an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, he declared his intent to contest, citing the need to rebuild the party’s internal structures after what he described as “a disconnection between leadership and the grassroots.”
“Our structures let us down in 2024,” he lamented. “The results were not what a governing party of our stature should produce. We must fix that.”
Boakye Antwi’s campaign emphasizes discipline, accountability, and the restoration of the NPP’s founding values — making him a favorite among traditionalists who yearn for a return to order and efficiency.
Justin Kodua Frimpong: The Incumbent’s Challenge
Incumbent General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong is also expected to seek a re-election.
In a recent video interaction, he defended his record and reaffirmed his commitment to party unity and fair processes ahead of the 2026 executive elections.
Justin Kodua, a lawyer by training, acknowledged challenges during his tenure but maintained that the party’s structures remained strong despite the 2024 electoral loss.
He called for inclusive leadership and transparency, emphasizing adherence to the party’s constitution and democratic procedures.
Charles Dwamena: The incumbent National Treasurer is switching over to the chief scribe position to running the party as a business entity believing that the party can be self-financing.
A China trained medical doctor, Dr China as he is popularly called was the deputy Ambassador to China in the Akufo-Addo’s first term in office.
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