Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo reportedly took a firm stance against internal hostilities within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) when he h
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo reportedly took a firm stance against internal hostilities within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) when he hosted a private breakfast meeting with the party’s five presidential aspirants at his Nima residence on Tuesday, October 2025.
According to reliable sources close to the meeting, the former President openly rebuked Dr Bryan Acheampong and Kennedy Agyapong for what he described as their “unnecessary and damaging” public attacks on fellow aspirants, particularly the former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Akufo-Addo Confronts Division Within the Party
The former President is said to have expressed deep concern over the increasingly heated rhetoric among the presidential hopefuls, warning that such conduct risks fracturing the NPP ahead of its January 2026 presidential primaries.
Sources present at the meeting revealed that Akufo-Addo “heckled” Acheampong and Agyapong when discussions turned to the tone of the campaigns.
He reportedly told them bluntly that the party’s image was being tarnished by constant infighting and public accusations.
He reminded the aspirants that the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general elections was not the fault of any individual, refuting claims that his own leadership decisions contributed to the party’s loss.
Instead, Akufo-Addo pointed to findings in the Prof. Mike Oquaye post-election review report, which identified organizational lapses, complacency, and poor communication as key factors in the party’s electoral setback.
Former President Clears the Air On 2024 Defeat Allegations
Akufo-Addo reportedly used the meeting to “clear his name” over persistent accusations from some party loyalists and sections of the media that he was responsible for the NPP’s electoral defeat.
He emphasized that he had not endorsed any aspirant, dismissing as false the speculation that he was secretly backing a particular candidate in the upcoming primaries.
Akufo-Addo made it clear that his sole interest is the unity and revival of the NPP to prepare for a strong comeback in the 2028 general elections.
A Call for Issue-Based Campaigns
In his remarks to all five aspirants — Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Ken Agyapong, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong — the former President urged them to focus their campaigns on “ideas that win votes, not insults that divide.”
He cautioned that a toxic campaign environment could alienate delegates and weaken the party’s moral standing in the eyes of Ghanaians.
“What matters now,” Akufo-Addo reportedly said, “is how we rebuild confidence in the NPP brand, not how we tear each other down.”
Aspirants Pledge To De-escalate Tensions
Following Akufo-Addo’s intervention, sources say both Bryan Acheampong and Kennedy Agyapong pledged to moderate their public commentary and campaign language.
The two, along with the other aspirants, assured the former President of their commitment to a peaceful and credible internal contest.
Also in attendance were senior party officials including Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Chairman of the NPP Council of Elders; Danquah Smith Buttey, Acting National Chairman; Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary; Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader; and Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, former Chief of Staff.
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