Former Minister Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko has officially entered the race to become the next National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), presenting his campaign as a grassroots-led movement focused on rebuilding the party, restoring internal confidence and returning the NPP to political power.
Speaking after filing his nomination on August 26, 2026, Agyarko said his decision to contest the NPP National Chairman election was driven by calls from party members at the grassroots rather than wealthy individuals or political financiers.
He disclosed that more than 50 NPP constituency chairpersons contributed money towards the purchase of his nomination forms, describing the gesture as evidence of strong grassroots support for his leadership.
Agyarko Describes NPP as a “Wounded Elephant”
Agyarko has described the NPP as a “wounded elephant”, pointing to the party’s decline in parliamentary seats over the past decade.
He noted that the NPP’s parliamentary representation dropped from 169 seats in 2016 to 137 in 2020 and further declined to 88 seats following the 2024 general elections.
According to him, the decline reflects deeper challenges within the party, including the loss of nearly two million voters who, he argued, no longer feel connected to the NPP.
The former minister believes the party can recover by reconnecting with its grassroots base and rebuilding confidence from the constituency level upward.
He described his campaign as a “covenant of renewal” aimed at restoring the NPP through the active participation of ordinary party members.
Agyarko Pledges Support for Bawumia
Agyarko is also highlighting his extensive political and international experience as part of his campaign for the NPP National Chairmanship.
He points to more than 22 years of international leadership experience, including his work at the Bank of New York, alongside his long involvement in the NPP’s organisational and political activities.
His political experience includes serving as Chairman of the Danquah Busia Club of North America, Chairman of the NPP’s North America branch, National Campaign Manager in 2012, Policy Adviser and Cabinet Minister.
Agyarko says his current political ambition is not focused on seeking a higher position but on strengthening the NPP and helping Dr Mahamudu Bawumia win the presidency while restoring the party’s parliamentary majority.
His campaign message states that his goal is to make Bawumia President and help the NPP regain its Majority in Parliament.
Five Key Reforms Proposed by Agyarko
At the centre of Agyarko’s NPP National Chairman campaign is a five-point reform agenda designed to change how the party operates.
1. Neutrality in Internal NPP Elections
Agyarko has pledged loyalty to Dr Bawumia while promising to remain neutral during internal party contests.
He argues that the NPP National Chairman should serve as a fair referee rather than become an active participant in contests for internal party positions.
2. One Member, One Vote
Agyarko proposes creating a credible, carded NPP membership register within one year as part of a transition towards an “One Member, One Vote” system.
He believes an accurate membership database would improve transparency and strengthen the credibility of future internal elections.
His campaign emphasises the importance of the membership register as the foundation for determining who participates in party elections.
3. Greater Financial Accountability
The NPP National Chairman hopeful is also promising reforms to improve transparency in the management of party finances.
His proposal includes presenting audited accounts annually and ensuring resources intended for grassroots structures reach them on time.
The policy is aimed at rebuilding trust between the NPP’s national leadership and constituency-level organisations.
4. Reconciliation and Party Unity
Agyarko believes rebuilding the NPP will require a deliberate reconciliation programme to reconnect with members who feel neglected or marginalised.
He has proposed personally engaging “wounded members” and encouraging them to return to the party.
The broader objective is to establish a stronger and more united NPP ahead of the next general election.
5. A 365-Day Party Organisation
Agyarko also wants the NPP to maintain an active organisational structure throughout the year.
He argues that the party’s machinery should not become active only during election campaigns but should operate continuously throughout all 365 days.
His proposal includes developing functional party structures capable of engaging party members and voters between elections.
“No Orphans in the NPP” Campaign Message
During his nomination filing, Agyarko also called for greater compassion and solidarity among NPP members.
Under the theme “No Orphans in the NPP,” he urged party members to support one another during difficult periods and avoid abandoning colleagues facing challenges.
He specifically expressed solidarity with Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Agyarko’s “Operation One Touch” Strategy
Agyarko’s broader political objective has been framed as “Operation One Touch”, which focuses on three connected goals: his election as NPP National Chairman, the election of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as President and the restoration of the NPP’s parliamentary majority.
He believes the National Chairman can act as a bridge between the party’s national leadership and its grassroots membership.
The campaign has therefore positioned grassroots mobilisation, internal party reforms, reconciliation and electoral recovery at the centre of Agyarko’s bid for the NPP National Chairmanship.
Alex Tetteh Backs Agyarko and Bawumia
Former MP Alex Tetteh, who serves on Dr Bawumia’s campaign team while also working on Agyarko’s campaign, said supporting both politicians is not contradictory.
He argued that his position demonstrates that an NPP member can support Bawumia’s presidential ambitions while backing Agyarko for National Chairman.
Tetteh said his support for Agyarko is motivated by the goal of building a united NPP capable of winning the 2028 general elections.
He also praised Agyarko for working with party members without forcing them into political factions or groups.
Tetteh subsequently urged delegates to expand the campaign’s grassroots mobilisation efforts and bring more delegates into the fold. His proposed formula is: “Agyarko as Chairman. Bawumia as President. The Majority restored in Parliament.”
Concerns Over NPP Grassroots Membership
Nana Mbrah Appiah, Constituency Chairman for Cape Coast South, highlighted the contribution of women and young people during the 2024 elections.
He said women in his constituency campaigned extensively for the NPP, prepared food for campaign activities and remained at polling stations through voting and counting.
He also praised young supporters who helped with campaign posters, protected ballot boxes and promoted the party using their mobile phones and internet data.
However, Appiah expressed concern that many grassroots supporters were not properly captured in the party’s membership records.
He warned that failing to formally recognise young supporters could contribute to declining enthusiasm and risk alienating an entire generation of potential NPP members.
According to him, Agyarko responded by requesting information on grassroots supporters, including their numbers and polling stations, and promised to develop a more comprehensive party membership register.
Support for Agyarko From Northern Ghana
MP Dominic Nitiwu also highlighted what he described as growing support for Agyarko across Ghana’s five northern regions.
Although Agyarko is not from his region, Nitiwu said he chose to support the former minister after engaging with delegates in the Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East and Upper West regions.
He said delegates he had interacted with had expressed support for Agyarko’s NPP National Chairmanship bid.
Nitiwu argued that the next National Chairman must be capable of earning the trust of competing factions, particularly during constituency-level internal elections.
He said delegates involved in such contests need a chairman whom both sides can trust to act fairly.
Tampuli Says Agyarko’s Bid Supports Bawumia
MP Alhassan Tampuli has also sought to reassure Dr Bawumia’s supporters that backing Agyarko for National Chairman does not undermine Bawumia’s presidential ambitions.
Tampuli described himself as a long-standing Bawumia supporter who had campaigned for him during three national campaigns.
He said his support for Agyarko is intended to complement Bawumia’s presidential campaign rather than compete with it.
Tampuli recalled that Agyarko contested the NPP presidential nomination in 2023 but did not win the party’s flagbearership.
He praised Agyarko for remaining committed to the NPP after the defeat and continuing to work within the party.
According to Tampuli, this experience could help Agyarko understand the importance of neutrality when managing internal party elections.
He argued that Bawumia needs a National Chairman trusted by all sides rather than someone who would simply operate as another campaign activist.
“One Touch, Three Victories”
Across the campaign speeches, a common message has emerged around three objectives: electing Boakye Agyarko as NPP National Chairman, supporting Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s presidential campaign and restoring the party’s parliamentary majority.
The campaign describes the strategy as “One touch, three victories.”
Agyarko’s campaign is urging delegates to expand grassroots mobilisation by encouraging other eligible delegates to participate in the movement.
The broader strategy is centred on rebuilding grassroots confidence, strengthening NPP structures, promoting internal unity and preparing the party for the 2028 general election.
“The Elephant Must Rise Again”
Agyarko has described the 2026 NPP National Chairman election as a crucial moment for the party’s future.
He argues that the NPP does not simply need a leader to manage its current challenges but requires a builder capable of restoring party structures, reconnecting with members and preparing the organisation for electoral success.
His campaign has consequently ended with the message: “The Elephant Must Rise Again.”
The NPP National Chairmanship contest is expected to remain a major focus within the party as delegates consider competing candidates, proposed reforms and strategies for rebuilding the party ahead of the 2028 Ghana general elections.
Source: newsthemegh.com