Bryan Acheampong, a flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has questioned the nationwide appeal of the party’s 2024 presidential candidate, citing voting patterns from the last general election.
Speaking to party delegates, Dr Bryan Acheampong, an NPP flagbearer hopeful and Member of Parliament for Abetifi, said more than 75% of the party’s parliamentary candidates received more votes in their constituencies than Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who led the party’s presidential ticket.
Dr Acheampong described the outcome as unusual in the party’s electoral history, arguing that it suggested voters were more inclined to support local candidates than the presidential nominee.
“Traditionally, the presidential candidate polls slightly higher than the parliamentary candidates,” he said. “But in 2024, in over 75 per cent of constituencies, the parliamentary candidates performed better. That has never happened before.”
He said the figures pointed to a disconnect between the party’s parliamentary strength and its presidential appeal, particularly among grassroots supporters and undecided voters.
According to Dr Acheampong, many voters appeared to split their ballots — backing NPP parliamentary candidates based on familiarity and local performance, while withholding similar support for the presidential candidate.
He warned that failing to examine the reasons behind the trend could have implications for the party’s future electoral prospects.
The Abetifi MP urged delegates to adopt what he described as a pragmatic approach in selecting the party’s next leader, stressing the need for a candidate capable of uniting the party and appealing to a broad national base.
He also referenced advice attributed to former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who encouraged voters to assess their livelihoods when making electoral choices, suggesting that such messaging resonated strongly with the electorate.
Dr Acheampong said future leadership must connect more effectively with the everyday concerns of Ghanaians if the party is to regain power.
