John AdoyiLess than nine months after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) returned to power in Ghana, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened nominations for its 2028 presidential candidate, signalling an early start to the next electoral cycle.
The NPP, which governed the country for an uninterrupted eight years, lost the December 2024 general election to the NDC by a narrow margin of under two percentage points. The loss brought former president John Mahama back to office and ended the tenure of the NPP-led administration.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a statement issued on Tuesday, 29 July and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP announced that nomination forms for the flag bearer race are now available and will remain open until Thursday, 28 August 2025. The process is being conducted in line with Article 13 of the party’s constitution.
To participate in the race, aspirants must pay a non-refundable application fee of $8,300 and a filing fee of $41,500.
An additional development levy, yet to be disclosed, will also be required.
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Although nominations are open, the party has temporarily suspended all campaign activities until after a key parliamentary by-election the party is hoping to retain. The leadership says the move is aimed at marshalling the party’s full strength to retain the seat and avoiding distractions during this critical period.
Two figures are already in the spotlight. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a former General Secretary of the party, has formally declared his intention to contest.
He is expected to face Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President and the party’s presidential candidate in the 2024 election and other prospective candidates.
Analysts say the NPP’s early preparations reflect a strategic attempt to reset the party’s internal dynamics and recover ground after its electoral defeat.
However, memories of previous factional tensions still linger, and the leadership appears keen to manage this transition with caution.
As Ghana’s political parties quietly begin to shape their strategies for 2028, the NPP’s flag bearer race is emerging as a key storyline in what promises to be another defining chapter in the country’s democratic journey.
