By Joyce Danso
Accra, Sept. 28, GNA – The New Patriotic Party (NPP) needs a new face and strategic leadership to rebuild the party and position it for victory in the 2028 general election, Mr Henry Quartey, former Minister for the Interior, has said.
Mr Quartey, Campaign Manager for Mr Boakye Agyarko, an aspirant for the position of NPP National Chairman, said the party required a chairman who could appeal to all sections of the party, unite disgruntled members and strengthen its structures ahead of the next general election.
He said Mr Agyarko possessed the experience and institutional knowledge required to undertake that responsibility.
Mr Quartey was speaking to journalists in Accra after a meeting with First and Second Vice Chairpersons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Financial Secretaries, former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Assembly Members and other party stakeholders.
The former Ayawaso Central Member of Parliament described Mr Agyarko as a politician with extensive professional, administrative and party experience, saying his long association with the NPP had given him an understanding of the party’s internal structures and challenges.
“Again, the party needs a new face in terms of Chairmanship to ensure that it will be attractive to all and sundry. And I think the rightful person to lead the party in this charge is Boakye Agyarko,” Mr Quartey said.
He said age should not be a determining factor in the chairmanship contest, pointing to the age profile of previous successful NPP National Chairmen.
“I have demonstrated factual evidence that since 1992, all the successful Chairmen that the NPP has had, coincidentally, have all been above the ages of 64. So age is not a factor here. Age is not a disadvantage to Boakye Agyarko,” he said
Mr Quartey said the NPP’s immediate priority should be to rebuild its grassroots structures, restore confidence among supporters and develop a clear strategy for the 2028 election.
He said Mr Agyarko’s campaign was particularly focused on winning back supporters who had become disillusioned with the party.
“Look, use me as a bridge. All of you come back and let us fight and bring the party that we once upon a time loved,” Mr Quartey said.
The former Interior Minister said Mr Agyarko had deliberately maintained an independent posture in the current internal contest rather than aligning himself with any faction.
Mr Quartey dismissed assertions that the NPP’s flag bearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, would be unable to work with Mr Agyarko should he become National Chairman.
“Dr Bawumia has not told anybody that he cannot work with Boakye Agyarko. That is the fact.
“Mr Agyarko has previously said his objective in seeking the Chairmanship is to rebuild and strengthen the NPP ahead of the 2028 elections, including through reconciliation and renewed grassroots engagement.”
He said the election of National Executives should be viewed as an opportunity to strengthen the party’s organisational structures and create a leadership team capable of working with all sections of the NPP.
“It’s not just talk, talk, talk. We should have a strategy to win elections,” he said.
Mr Quartey said the party needed adequate resources, effective organisation and a strong grassroots structure, while the flag bearer concentrated on the broader campaign to win the support of the electorate.
He urged delegates not to allow internal divisions to undermine the party’s preparations for the 2028 general election.
The NPP’s National Executive elections are scheduled for October 3, 2026, with the elected executives expected to lead the party’s preparations for the 2028 general election.
The comments come amid findings of a study by lecturers at the University of Ghana that examined the views and expectations of NPP delegates regarding the party’s upcoming National Executive elections.
The study found that Mr Agyarko recorded 60.7 per cent when respondents were asked which candidate best matched the characteristics they considered important for the National Chairman position.
Mr John Boadu recorded 33.5 per cent, while Mr Paul Afoko recorded 5.9 per cent.
Present at the meeting were supporters and volunteers of the Boakye Agyarko campaign, including former MMDCEs, Assembly Members, Chief Executives, Members of Parliament, Financial Secretaries and other party activists.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Joyce Danso