Tensions flared within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after its Delegates Conference on Saturday, July 19, as the campaign team of Kennedy Agyapong accused event organizers of orchestrating a “staged endorsement” for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
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In a statement issued by Kwasi Kwarteng, spokesperson for the Agyapong campaign, the team alleged that only the former Vice President was granted access to the inner perimeter of the University of Ghana Stadium, where he was seen interacting with delegates, a move they argue was deliberately staged to give the impression of overwhelming grassroots support.
“No other flagbearer hopeful was allowed inside the inner perimeter,” the statement said. “The visuals shared create a distorted image of support, which doesn’t reflect the reality on the ground.”
Kwarteng insisted the real engagement took place at the outer perimeter, where other aspirants, including Agyapong, met delegates under equal conditions.
“Compare the crowd reception for Ken to that of Dr. Bawumia, and you’ll see where the true energy lies,” he asserted.
He described the selective access and the optics surrounding it as a continuation of strategic missteps that contributed to the party’s loss in the 2024 general elections.
“We are walking down the same path that cost us dearly,” Kwarteng warned. “The party must choose real change over choreographed endorsements.”
The Agyapong camp is urging delegates to resist what they call “leadership-imposed narratives” and instead focus on choosing a candidate who reflects the will of the base. “2028 is about winning elections, not managing impressions,” the statement concluded.
The conference, which drew thousands of NPP supporters and stakeholders, was a major event ahead of the party’s 2026 flagbearer primaries.
While Dr. Bawumia received significant media attention and applause at the event, the reaction from rival camps suggests the contest for NPP leadership remains fierce and politically charged.
