NPP Primaries: Bryan assures of “hands down” victory on January 31

Dr. Bryan Acheampong, an aspiring flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) says he will win the presidential primaries “hands down” on January 31, citing nationwide campaigning and experience.

The Abetifi MP spoke to reporters shortly after exiting the conference hall where New Patriotic Party presidential aspirants signed a peace pact committing to a clean and disciplined contest.

Asked whether he was confident of victory, Dr. Acheampong responded without hesitation: “Hands down. Hands down.”

Pressed on what underpinned that confidence, he pointed to the scope and timing of his campaign. “I’ve been around the country. I’ve campaigned in the last four months. I’m the first person to finish my campaign and start a mop-up in some regions in the country,” he said.

Dr. Acheampong, who has been active in electoral politics since the early years of the Fourth Republic, argued that experience offers a reliable guide to electoral outcomes.

“I’ve been in elections since 1992. If you’ll win you know, if you’ll lose you know and if you have to fear delegates too you know,” he noted. “I know what’s going on and I know God is going to give me a big win in the election next weekend.”

His comments came as five aspirants seeking to lead the governing party endorsed a peace pact ahead of the January 31 nationwide primaries.

The contenders are former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; businessman and former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong; Abetifi MP, Dr. Bryan Acheampong; former Education Minister and Bosomtwe MP, Dr. Yaw Adutwum; and former NPP General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong.

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo observed proceedings from the high table, while former President John Agyekum Kufuor was unable to attend.

The pact binds aspirants to conduct civil campaigns and to accept the verdict of delegates when voting takes place across designated centres nationwide.

A brief moment of tension emerged when Kennedy Agyapong delayed appending his signature, prompting murmurs in the hall and quiet interventions by party elders.

He later signed, drawing applause from sections of the gathering.

Addressing participants, Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno urged restraint and discipline among delegates, stressing that tolerance during internal contests protects Ghana’s democratic record.

Despite Dr. Acheampong’s confidence, recent opinion polls circulating within party circles place him behind Dr. Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong.

Party officials say the peace pact is designed to prevent post-primary rancour and keep the NPP united ahead of the 2028 general elections.