Claims I’m buying votes insulting to delegates – Bryan Acheampong

New Patriotic Party flagbearer hopeful Dr. Bryan Acheampong has dismissed allegations of vote-buying as propaganda, describing the claims as an insult to the intelligence of party delegates.

Dr. Acheampong made the remarks during a one-on-one interview on UTV on Tuesday, where he strongly rejected suggestions that his campaign was relying on money to secure support in the party’s presidential race.

“This is politics. Propaganda. Let them go on,” he said. “If you [the delegate] has taken money, you know and if you haven’t either, you know as well. It is an insult that in this age in Ghana it can be claimed that someone will take money from a candidate who they know won’t be able to win for our party.”

He argued that delegates were capable of making informed choices based on conviction rather than inducements, insisting that the focus of the contest should be on ideas and credibility.

“It is not about money, it is the message,” he stressed, adding that attempts to reduce the contest to cash politics demeaned both the process and party faithful.

Dr. Acheampong suggested that public scrutiny of his rivals’ records was already shaping perceptions among Ghanaians. “Luckily for me, one of my opponents have their track record being explained in the public domain to Ghanaians,” he said. “There is also another whose win will also turn one side away.”

His comments were widely interpreted as references to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and outspoken Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, who are considered the two leading contenders in the race.

The former Minister of Food and Agriculture said his decision to enter the contest was driven by concern about the party’s prospects and not personal ambition.

“I have always said that if the two leading candidates were serious about scoring a goal for our party, I wouldn’t come from behind to contest in this race,” he stated.

Dr. Acheampong maintained that the New Patriotic Party needed a candidate capable of uniting all factions and presenting a compelling alternative to voters ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He warned that internal divisions and personal attacks could weaken the party’s chances if not addressed.

He also appealed to party supporters to rise above rumours and focus on constructive debate. “I hope they stop saying it,” he said, referring to the vote-buying allegations.

The NPP flag bearer race has intensified in recent weeks, with aspirants crisscrossing the country to engage delegates amid growing scrutiny of campaign strategies and internal party dynamics.

The aspiring candidates include Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Ken Ohene Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.