Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2028 presidential elections, has concluded his campaign with a strong pledge to prioritise the welfare of party delegates if elected in the party’s presidential primary scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026.
The former Member of Parliament for Assin Central gave the assurance in a televised national address on Thursday evening, as he made his final appeal to delegates ahead of the highly anticipated contest involving five aspirants.
In his address, Mr Agyapong said the NPP must urgently reconnect with its grassroots base, stressing that the party’s future depends on discipline, humility and genuine engagement with its core supporters.
“This Saturday is not routine. It is a turning point. You are the backbone of this party. Without you there is no MP,” he told delegates, arguing that grassroots members and party executives are often neglected after elections despite their sacrifices.
He lamented what he described as a recurring pattern where polling station executives and constituency officers are left unsupported once elections are over, insisting that such a culture must end under his leadership.
As part of his reform agenda, Mr Agyapong announced plans to establish a structured delegates’ welfare framework, which he said would be institutionalised, transparent and fair.
“Under my leadership, delegates’ welfare will not be an afterthought. It will be a priority. The cycle of sacrifice followed by silence must end,” he declared.
He explained that the proposed framework would include a formal registry of active delegates to ensure recognition and inclusion, as well as a transparent welfare support system to assist delegates facing genuine difficulties.
“Loyalty must be respected. Sacrifice must be acknowledged. Commitment must be protected. Delegates’ welfare will not depend on proximity to power. It will be institutionalised, fair, structured and transparent,” he said.
Mr Agyapong also referred to forms he has been distributing during his campaign tours, noting that they were not merely symbolic but part of a broader system aimed at ensuring no loyal delegate feels marginalised.
In a direct message to delegates, the NPP stalwart dismissed claims that supporters of his candidacy could face reprisals after the election, including removal from the party’s delegate list.
“I’m aware that some of you have been told that if you vote for me, you will be punished afterwards. I bet you it can never happen. Trust me and believe that all of you,” he assured.
Mr Agyapong is contesting the flagbearership slot against former Vice President and NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former General Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; former Education Minister and current Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum; and former Minister for Food and Agriculture and current Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Dr Bryan Acheampong.
The NPP goes to the polls on Saturday to elect a presidential candidate to lead the party into the 2028 general elections, with the outcome expected to shape the party’s direction in the post-2024 political era.
By: Christian Kpesese
