Political Scientist Dr. Kwasi Amakye-Boateng has argued that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) faces a tougher task ahead of the 2028 elections. This is because of improvements in Ghana's economy under President John Dramani Mahama. Dr. Amakye-Boateng, a Senior Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), made these comments while speaking to media on Friday, October 2, 2026.
Dr. Amakye-Boateng noted that Mahama had performed creditably on inflation and the exchange rate. This, he believes, underscores the need for strong opposition leadership to make the NPP attractive to Ghanaians through new national leaders. According to him, the NPP's attempts to attribute the economic improvement mainly to the government's GoldBod policies do not fully answer why the party itself did not achieve similar results when it was in government.
Dr. Amakye-Boateng holds the view that the NPP has "extra work to do" if it wants to present a convincing alternative to voters in 2028. He pointed out that Awentami Paul Afoko should be the best person to be elected as National Chairman. This, he believes, will enable the party to present a fresh political message to voters.
Dr. Amakye-Boateng also linked the NPP's challenge to Mahamudu Bawumia's record as Vice President under the Akufo-Addo administration. According to him, Dr. Bawumia could face questions about any new economic proposals he presents during the next election cycle because he served in the previous government.
Dr. Amakye-Boateng noted that "Bawumia's integrity has been on the line because he participated in Akufo-Addo's government." He argued that if Bawumia campaigns on policies that differ from those implemented under the previous administration, voters could ask why he did not pursue those policies while in government.
For Dr. Amakye-Boateng, the NPP's response should begin with a change in its internal leadership and identity. He said a new leadership structure could allow the party to distance itself from its previous record and present a fresh political message to voters.
Dr. Amakye-Boateng stated that with a new identity starting with the election of Awentami Paul Afoko, the NPP would be on a new trajectory that would appeal to the masses. The article was published on TV3 Ghana on October 2, 2026, by Benjamin Aidoo.
Key points
- NPP faces a tougher task ahead of the 2028 elections due to economic improvements under President John Dramani Mahama.
- Awentami Paul Afoko should be elected as National Chairman to enable the NPP to present a fresh political message to voters.
- Mahamudu Bawumia's integrity has been questioned due to his participation in the Akufo-Addo government.
