Kwabena Agyepong poised to contest NPP flagbearership race

In a move that could redefine the internal political dynamics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, former General Secretary of the party and a key figure during the Kufuor administration, is poised to contest the NPP flagbearership ahead of the 2026 presidential primaries.

A visit to a massive new structure under renovation in Accra has sparked widespread speculation.

The site, which is being refurbished and draped in the NPP’s symbolic blue and white colours, has been branded with large portraits of Kwabena Agyepong and bold campaign slogans such as “Leadership with Integrity” and “Time for Renewal.” The activity strongly suggests that a formal campaign launch is imminent.

A Calculated Return Following Party’s 2024 Defeat

Kwabena Agyei Agyepong’s resurgence comes on the heels of the NPP’s unexpected loss in the 2024 general elections.

The loss, widely blamed on internal divisions, poor messaging, and voter fatigue, has triggered a period of soul-searching within the party.

In response, the party’s National Executive Committee recently approved a resolution for an early presidential primary scheduled for January 2026 to allow time for healing, rebranding, and strategizing for the 2028 elections.

With the primary now fixed, the contest is attracting attention from key party figures. Declared aspirants such as Kennedy Agyapong, Bryan Acheampong, and former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum have already entered the fray, each positioning themselves as alternative to the failed Dr Mahamudu Bawumia campaign.

However, Kwabena Agyepong’s expected entry brings a different tone — one rooted in values, reform, and ideological clarity.

Agyepong’s Bid: Reform Over Rhetoric

Unlike his competitors, Kwabena Agyepong is not new to internal party politics.

He contested the flagbearer slot in 2007 but failed to make a significant impact.

This time, however, he appears to be more strategic and focused, building his campaign on a promise to return the NPP to its foundational ideals of integrity, discipline, and public service.

Once a close confidant of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Agyepong served as the president’s Press Secretary and later as NPP General Secretary.

During his tenure, he earned a reputation for being forthright, principled, and, at times, uncompromising.

His critics have often labeled him idealistic and rigid, but his supporters insist he is the moral compass the NPP needs at this critical juncture.

In an interview after the 2024 defeat, Agyepong did not hold back. “The party has lost its way,” he said. “What we see today is not the NPP of Busia, Danquah, and Dombo. We have allowed monetization, factionalism, and selfish ambition to define our politics. It’s time to reset.”
Insiders close to the Agyepong camp suggest that his campaign is being framed not merely as a quest for power, but as a mission to restore the party’s soul.