By Nelson Ayivor
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), one of Ghana’s leading political parties, is holding its presidential primaries today as thousands of delegates cast their votes to elect a flagbearer for the December 7, 2028 general election.
The contest, which has generated intense national interest, is widely seen as a defining moment for the opposition party as it prepares to face the governing party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the next election cycle.
A total of more than 211,000 delegates across the country are participating in the exercise, which is taking place at designated voting centres nationwide.
Five aspirants are contesting the party’s top ticket, making the race one of the most competitive in recent NPP history.
Analysts Disagree on Likely Outcome:
Even as voting continues, political analysts and pollsters remain divided on whether the primaries will be decided in a single round or proceed to a runoff.
Researcher and Financial Economist Dr. Evans Duah has suggested that the possibility of a second round cannot be ruled out, depending largely on voter turnout and the final distribution of votes.
According to Dr. Duah, the dynamics of the race make the contest unpredictable. However, he hinted that a decisive first-round victory is still possible.
“If anyone is crossing the 50 plus one, it’s Kennedy Agyapong,” he said, pointing to what he believes could be a strong showing by the outspoken former Member of Parliament if turnout is high.
His comments reflect the broader uncertainty surrounding the primaries, as various factions within the party mobilise support for their preferred candidates.
Mussa Dankwah Predicts First-Round Win
Contrary to Dr. Duah’s assessment, pollster and political analyst Mussa Dankwah has firmly ruled out the possibility of a second round. Dankwah, whose previous polls projected a victory for former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, insisted that the numbers point clearly to a first-round outcome.
“There will be no second round,” Dankwah said, adding that Dr. Bawumia is poised to secure a commanding victory across most parts of the country.
He projected that the former Vice President would win in 14 out of Ghana’s 16 regions, noting that the Central and Volta regions are likely exceptions.
“Bawumia is winning 14 out of the 16 regions,” Dankwah stated, reinforcing his confidence that the primaries will end today with a clear winner. He further maintained that Dr. Bawumia would emerge as the party’s flagbearer once the votes are counted.
The NPP presidential primaries feature a diverse lineup of candidates, each bringing different strengths and political backgrounds to the contest.
Those vying for the flagbearership include Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
The build-up to the January 31 contest has been marked by vigorous campaigning, policy debates, and appeals to party unity. With the NDC yet to elect its own flagbearer, today’s outcome is expected to shape the tone and direction of Ghana’s political landscape in the coming years.
Amid the keen contest, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party has emphasised the importance of unity after the primaries. Chairman of the NPP’s Presidential Elections Committee, Joseph Osei Owusu, has called on all aspirants and their supporters to rally behind whoever emerges victorious.
Osei Owusu expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the voting process, describing it as transparent and peaceful.
“What I’m seeing is a free and fair process. What I’m seeing is a very well-secured voting centre. What I’ve seen is a rather very calm atmosphere.”
He added that the party has put in place adequate measures to ensure credibility and trust in the process. “I’m confident that by the time the process is over, nobody will have any justification to complain,” he noted.
High Stakes for the 2028 Election
Today’s primaries are widely regarded as a high-stakes exercise for the NPP, as the chosen candidate will lead the party into a critical national election.
The flagbearer will eventually square off against a yet-to-be-announced candidate of the ruling NDC, making party cohesion and credibility key factors going forward.
As delegates continue to vote and results are awaited, all eyes remain on whether the contest will produce a decisive first-round winner or set the stage for a runoff.
Regardless of the outcome, the primaries mark a significant milestone in Ghana’s democratic process and the future of the ruling party.