NPP Primaries: Conduct yourselves with dignity – Akufo-Addo to aspirants

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged NPP presidential aspirants to treat the party’s peace pact as a binding moral commitment ahead of the January 31 primaries.

Addressing party leaders, delegates and aspirants at the signing ceremony held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Thursday, January 22, Mr Akufo-Addo stressed that the agreement was not a symbolic gesture but a serious obligation to protect unity and internal peace within the New Patriotic Party.

“This is not a routine ceremony. It is a solemn covenant that binds every aspirant to conduct themselves with dignity and restraint before, during and after the primaries,” the former president said.

He called on all contestants to respect the party’s democratic processes and to accept the outcome of the January 31 presidential primaries in good faith, irrespective of personal expectations.

According to him, the ability of the NPP to remain united after the internal contest would determine its strength going forward.

“The New Patriotic Party is bigger than any one person, and our shared commitment to unity must always come first,” Mr Akufo-Addo added, urging aspirants to rally behind the eventual winner for the collective interest of the party.

Five aspirants seeking to lead the NPP signed the peace pact at the event, pledging to run civil campaigns and to accept the verdict of delegates when voting takes place nationwide.

They 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 Akufo-Addo sat at the high table and observed proceedings, while former President John Agyekum Kufuor was unable to attend the ceremony.

The event was briefly disrupted by a tense moment when Kennedy Agyapong hesitated to immediately append his signature to the agreement, triggering murmurs from the audience and visible unease among party officials present.

Several senior party figures were later seen engaging him quietly as the atmosphere in the hall grew tense. After a short delay, Mr Agyapong signed the document, drawing applause and a sense of relief from sections of the gathering.

Also addressing the event, Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno urged delegates and party supporters to act responsibly throughout the primaries. He emphasised that tolerance and discipline were critical to protecting Ghana’s democratic credentials, especially during internal party elections.

Party officials present explained that the peace pact is intended to prevent post-primary rancour and safeguard party cohesion as the NPP positions itself for the 2028 general elections.

The presidential primaries are scheduled to be held on January 31, 2026, across designated voting centres nationwide.