Former Member of Parliament for Subin, Eugene Boakye Antwi, has expressed confidence in his chances of becoming the next General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Speaking to the media in Kumasi, where 7,163 delegates are expected to elect national executives, Mr Boakye Antwi said the location of the conference gave him additional confidence. The conference is being held at Amakom, which formed part of his constituency.
Mr Boakye Antwi said his message to delegates had resonated well with them after he had engaged them across the country. He told the media that his message was loud and clear, and that he was confident of winning the position. According to him, delegates saw him as a "game changer" ahead of the 2028 elections. He aims to ensure that the NPP wins a majority of parliamentary seats and makes Mahamudu Bawumia the surest bet to lead Ghana.
Mr Boakye Antwi pointed out that the NPP had never rewarded failure, mediocrity, or incompetence. He argued that the party's defeat in the 2024 elections was a clear case of failure in leadership, communication, and organisation. He said that was the message he and his team had been communicating to party delegates. This message, he believes, has contributed to his growing popularity among delegates.
The NPP General Secretary hopeful also pointed to a historical pattern in the NPP. With the exception of the late Professor Adu Boahen, the party's presidential candidates had generally been retained, while national executives were changed. He cited examples of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo leading the party when Peter Mac Manu was National Chairman and Kwadwo Ohene Ntow was General Secretary.
By 2012, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey and Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, had taken over the leadership. In 2016, the party had new national executives led by Freddie Blay and John Boadu. Mr Boakye Antwi believes that this historical pattern supports his argument that national officers are often changed after a presidential candidate wins.
Mr Boakye Antwi said that he and his team had been communicating a message of change in the affairs of the party. He believes that delegates are looking for a "game changer" ahead of the 2028 elections. The NPP is seeking to ensure that it wins a majority of parliamentary seats and makes Mahamudu Bawumia the surest bet to lead Ghana.
The National Delegates Conference of the NPP is being held in Kumasi, where delegates will elect national executives. Mr Boakye Antwi's confidence in his chances of becoming the next General Secretary is clear, and he believes that his message has resonated well with delegates. The outcome of the election will be closely watched as the NPP prepares for the 2028 elections.
Key points
- Eugene Boakye Antwi is confident of becoming the NPP General Secretary ahead of the 2028 elections.
- The NPP has a historical pattern of changing national executives after a presidential candidate wins.
- Mr Boakye Antwi believes that delegates see him as a "game changer" ahead of the 2028 elections.
