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Former Member of Parliament and former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer candidate Kennedy Agyapong has suggested that bad electoral performance should not be rewarded with another chance to head the party in the next national election.
Addressing party supporters in Mampong on June 7, 2025, on a visit to mourn the late Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu, Mr Agyapong emphasized that the NPP’s tradition is based on recognizing competence and outcomes rather than sentiment.
The former Assin Central MP utilized the forum to remark on the party’s current status and warn against overlooking performance while making leadership selection decisions. His remarks follow internal discussions over the party’s future and the implications of its recent electoral success under Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s 2024 flagbearer.
“Let no one be deceived,” Mr Agyapong stated. “Our party has a tradition of recognizing successful candidates. If you lead us into an election then do poorly, you should not expect a second chance.
He refuted the notion that the NPP has a culture of giving its presidential candidates many chances, claiming that this only applies when the candidate’s first try shows great potential.
“In 1992, despite being a hero of our democratic movement, Prof. Adu Boahen was not given another chance after losing the election. “He was a principled man who sacrificed for his country, but the party moved on because performance matters,” Mr Agyapong claimed.
He contrasted that history with the experiences of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and current President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who were both permitted to run for a second term following excellent showings in their first campaigns.
“Kufuor campaigned for only a few months in 1996 and nonetheless had a significant influence. That performance earned him the party’s trust, so he ran again in 2000 and won. “Nana Addo also demonstrated electoral strength before receiving a second chance,” he stated.
“The facts are there. If someone leads us to one of our worst electoral results, we cannot pretend it did not happen. This is a real political party. “We don’t give leadership as a consolation prize,” he declared forcefully.
John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was named the winner of the December 7, 2024 election. According to Ghana’s Electoral Commission, Mahama, who was inaugurated as President on December 7, received 6,591,790 votes, or 56.42 percent of all legitimate votes.
His closest challenger, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), received 4,877,611 votes, accounting for 41.75 percent.
Mr Agyapong’s words reflect ongoing divisions within the NPP about leadership direction and succession, as many grassroots supporters expressed dissatisfaction following the party’s electoral failure. His views are likely to spark further controversy as the NPP examines its next steps ahead of future elections.
https://x.com/The1957News/status/1931753652017864797