Let's address our internal problems by getting rid of arbitrary exclusions before we select a flagbearer — Ken Agyapong to NPP members

A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has urged party leaders to address internal divisions and rebuild grassroot structures before selecting a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections.

Speaking to some NPP constituency chairmen in Kumasi on Saturday, [June 21, 2025], Mr Agyapong said the issues that contributed to the party’s loss in the 2024 general election remain unresolved and must be tackled before any meaningful campaign can begin.

“Our system from the polling station to the national level is sound. The problem is the internal challenges we have created,” he said.

“If we do not address these underlying problems, we could nominate the best candidate, and it would not matter.”

Mr Agyapong disclosed that a fact-finding team led by former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, had presented its report after the elections, but many within the party still do not fully understand the reasons behind the defeat.

“All we know is that Professor Mike Oquaye came to brief us and mentioned expansion. Are we saying expansion alone caused our loss? We still do not understand the causes of our defeat,” he said.

He warned that rushing into a flagbearer contest could deepen existing cracks in the party, and cautioned against the growing tendency of arbitrary exclusions within the party’s ranks.

“Someone might look at you and say, ‘You are not supporting me, so you are out.’ That pattern must stop,” he said.

Mr Agyapong, who contested the party’s 2023 flagbearer race and remains a strong contender, pledged to raise up to $7 million to support grassroots organisation if the party agrees to restructure from the bottom up.

“I don’t care if I personally lack funds. With one phone call, I can secure $7 million to help organise the party from the bottom up and make sure we do things properly,” he said.

He urged constituency chairmen to put the interest of the party ahead of personal ambition.

According to him, restoring public trust will require credible polling station elections and honest internal reform.