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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will on Saturday, January 31, 2026, hold its presidential primaries to elect a flagbearer for the 2028 general elections, with nearly 19,000 delegates expected to vote in the Central Region.
The exercise forms part of a nationwide contest involving about 280,000 delegates, following an expanded electoral college that now includes additional constituency representatives, members of councils of elders, youth organisers and external branch members.
In the Central Region, a total of 18,969 delegates will cast their ballots across 23 designated polling centres. Preparations are visibly underway, with party flags, banners and billboards of aspirants mounted at various strategic locations ahead of the polls.
Voting is scheduled to take place from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., under the supervision of the NPP Presidential Elections Committee, with oversight support from the Electoral Commission to ensure a transparent and orderly process.
Five aspirants are contesting the primaries. They are Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Member of Parliament for Assin Central; Dr Bryan Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Abetifi; Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s 2024 presidential candidate and former Vice President; Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Member of Parliament for Bosomtwi and former Minister of Education; and Kwabena Agyapong, a long-serving party stalwart. The candidates will appear on the ballot in that order.
Recent opinion polls suggest a competitive race, with Dr Bawumia leading with 48 per cent support, followed by Kennedy Ohene Agyapong at 34 per cent, while the remaining aspirants trail behind.
In the Central Region, party insiders and delegates are reported to be leaning towards Dr Bawumia, citing his experience and national exposure, having led the party into the 2024 elections. His bid, however, challenges historical patterns within the NPP, where candidates who lost a general election have not typically secured victory in an immediate comeback attempt.
Nevertheless, support for Kennedy Ohene Agyapong remains strong in parts of the region, particularly in Assin and surrounding areas, where some delegates argue that his candidacy could boost the region’s political influence. Former Assin Central District Chief Executive, Derrick Ambrose, is among local voices backing Mr Agyapong, describing him as a candidate capable of driving regional uplift.
The outcome of Saturday’s primaries is expected to shape the direction of the NPP as it rebuilds and positions itself for the 2028 general elections.
Source: Ghana/channel247online.com/YawBoagyan
