Kennedy Agyapong can win power for NPP in 2028 — Kwasi Kwarteng

A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP), communication team, Kwasi Kwarteng, has explained why he is backing former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong in the party’s next flagbearer race.

The one-time flagbearer hopeful and businessman has already declared his intention to lead the NPP into the 2028 general elections.

Mr. Kwarteng, who previously served as spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, said he believes the party’s chances of returning to power depend on Agyapong’s candidacy.

“About why I am supporting Kennedy Agyapong — I’m not going to give you much story, just like Kennedy himself, who’s a very practical man. I’m supporting the Honorable Kennedy Agyapong because I am of the view that he can win us power in 2028. End of story,” he said on Accra-based JoyNews on Thursday, June 12.

He acknowledged that since 1992, no first-time flagbearer from the NPP has won a general election, but believes Agyapong can defy that trend.

“Let me put it in this perspective — the conversation is really about the general election. At the party level, whoever wins the flagbearership becomes the candidate for the national election.

“What matters here is whether or not someone who is contesting for the first time can win the general election. There is precedent for this — former President Jerry Rawlings and President Mahama, for example. But within the NPP, we haven’t had a candidate who won the national election on their first try,” he argued.

Meanwhile, Kennedy Agyapong, who first contested the NPP flagbearership in 2023 and lost, is expected to face competition from former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Abetifi MP Bryan Acheampong.