A respected senior figure in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Yaw Dabie Appiah Mensah, has called on members and aspirants within the party to prioritize unity and strategic continuity as they prepare for the 2026 presidential primaries.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) over the weekend, Mr. Mensah emphasized that the NPP’s chances of reclaiming political power in the 2028 general elections would be best secured by rallying behind former Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who led the party in the 2024 election.
“This is not the time to agree and disagree,” he stated. “We must come together, acknowledge past mistakes, and agree that Bawumia is still our strongest contender.”
Mr. Mensah, a former regional organiser and long-standing member of the party in the then Brong-Ahafo Region, urged party stakeholders to resolve internal divisions and adopt a forward-looking approach. He noted that Dr. Bawumia’s defeat in 2024 was not due to individual failure but a result of voter apathy and internal disunity.
“Our loss in 2024 was not Bawumia’s fault. It stemmed from disillusionment among our base, and unless we tackle those root issues, we risk repeating history,” he cautioned.
Support for Early Primaries
Mr. Mensah also commended the NPP leadership for fixing the January 31, 2026 date for the presidential primaries, saying the early timeline would give the eventual flagbearer ample time to rebuild trust, rebrand the party, and engage with voters nationwide.
“This move is strategic,” he said. “It ensures that our flagbearer is not rushed and can spend time addressing voter concerns and healing party wounds.”
Call for Constructive Politics
While acknowledging the capabilities of other presidential hopefuls, Mr. Mensah insisted that the NPP must avoid factionalism and instead build consensus around a candidate with broad national appeal and policy experience.
“All the aspirants are competent and respected, but this is a time for consolidation, not experimentation,” he said. “Bawumia remains the best bridge between our past achievements and our future aspirations.”
Putting Party Above Self
Mr. Mensah concluded by urging all factions within the NPP to put the party’s interest above individual ambition, noting that only a united front could reverse the party’s current opposition status and reposition it as the natural choice for governance in 2028.
“Let’s heal, let’s build, and let’s win together. Our collective success is far more important than personal agendas,” he said.
The NPP’s internal campaign season is expected to gather momentum following the primary date announcement, with many within the party echoing similar sentiments for unity and reflection as the road to 2028 begins.
