118 Former NPP Parliamentary Aspirants Endorse Bawumia’s 2028 Presidential Bid

A total of 118 former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidates who contested the 2024 general elections have formally declared their support for former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to lead the party into the 2028 presidential elections.

The endorsement was announced at a press conference held at the International Press Centre in Accra on Thursday, January 8, 2026, barely weeks before the party’s presidential primaries scheduled for January 31.

The move represents one of the largest coordinated endorsements within the NPP in recent years and follows an earlier declaration of support for Dr Bawumia by 63 sitting Members of Parliament, further strengthening his standing within the party.

Speaking on behalf of the group, former Member of Parliament for Sekondi and former Deputy Minister for Energy, Andrew Agyapa Mercer, said the decision was the outcome of months of extensive consultations across the party’s grassroots and among key stakeholders nationwide.

He described the endorsement as a voluntary, principled and unified decision aimed at consolidating party cohesion and positioning the NPP for victory in the 2028 general elections.

“After extensive engagements with polling station executives, electoral area coordinators, constituency executives, former executives, elders, patrons, youth groups, market women, farmers, fisherfolk, business owners, religious leaders and traditional authorities, it became abundantly clear that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is the most prepared, competent and unifying leader for our party at this critical time,” Mr Mercer stated.

He stressed that the decision was neither induced nor coerced but was guided by sober reflection and a strong sense of responsibility to the party and the nation.

According to him, the 118 former candidates—many of whom campaigned vigorously in diverse constituencies during the 2024 elections—were uniquely positioned to appreciate grassroots concerns and voter expectations.

“That experience has reinforced our conviction that Dr Bawumia remains the NPP’s most credible, appealing and winnable candidate for the 2028 elections,” he noted.

Mr Mercer outlined several reasons for the endorsement, describing Dr Bawumia as a visionary leader with a proven track record in economic management, digital transformation and public sector reform.

He cited key achievements under Dr Bawumia’s tenure as Vice President, including the national digitalisation agenda, mobile money interoperability, the Ghana Card roll-out, digitisation of public records, and his role in stabilising the economy through initiatives such as the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

“Dr Bawumia has demonstrated competence, integrity, humility and an unmatched commitment to Ghana’s development. His work in digitalisation, macroeconomic policy and flagship programmes like Agenda 111 makes him the most consequential Vice President of the Fourth Republic,” he said, adding that no other aspirant matched his combined experience, intellect and readiness to lead.

The group also highlighted Dr Bawumia’s proposed reforms to strengthen and empower NPP grassroots members, including a pledge to allocate at least 10 high-level government appointments per constituency, establish a comprehensive welfare database for party members, and introduce a constituency-based budgeting system to boost local development and economic opportunities.

“These are practical and transformative proposals that will promote inclusiveness and reward the dedication of party members across the country,” Mr Mercer emphasized.

He further clarified that the endorsement was not driven by personal ambitions, noting that many members of the group had not decided whether to contest future parliamentary primaries.
“Whether we contest again or not is immaterial. This is about securing the future of the NPP and the prosperity of Ghana,” he said.

While acknowledging the contributions of other aspirants in the race, the group maintained that the prevailing political and economic climate demands a leader with Dr Bawumia’s experience, innovative mindset and national appeal.

They called on party members and supporters to unite behind the former Vice President to ensure victory in both the upcoming primaries and the 2028 general elections.

The endorsement ended with a pledge to actively support the party’s campaign machinery and work closely with Dr Bawumia to deliver a decisive victory.
“Our commitment is to a stronger, united NPP capable of winning in 2028. We firmly believe Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is the leader to deliver that victory,” Mr Mercer concluded.