Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has emphasised that political victories are achieved through careful preparation and clear messaging, rather than by being the loudest voice in the room.

According to him, the key to winning political contests lies in planning and delivering campaign messages that genuinely connect with voters.

“Most of the time, the team that makes the most noise does not win. It is the team that has really prepared that wins,” he stated.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu highlighted that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign message is resonating strongly with the electorate, particularly at the grassroots level.

He recalled a recent campaign event in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, where Dr Bawumia’s speech reportedly moved several attendees to tears.

“After we finished speaking, an elderly man sitting a few seats away from me was visibly moved. I also saw another person wiping away tears. When I asked the elderly man what had happened, he told me Dr Bawumia’s speech had made him cry,” the former MP for Suame said on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen show on Thursday, January 22.

The former MP said such emotional responses reinforced his belief that Dr Bawumia’s message is connecting deeply with the people, and he expressed confidence that the former Vice President would improve on his 2023 performance in the Ashanti Region. He projected support could rise from 63 per cent to around 70 per cent.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also pointed to the campaign’s meticulous grassroots approach, noting that the team has been evaluating performance constituency by constituency and polling station by polling station.

“We have been with him across the country. They are doing assessments constituency by constituency, polling station by polling station. They have already toured all the regions twice,” he added.

Commenting on previous flagbearer polls, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said he was surprised at the 37 per cent secured by Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. He attributed that performance to Mr Agyapong’s established influence and party network.

“The 37 percent Ken got really surprised me. He harvested from the content he had built in the system, and the way he pulled out, with his people following him,” he said, noting that such support may not be easily replicated this time, even with prominent figures backing him.

The NPP is on a journey of reset, reinforcement, and healing following its historic defeat in the 2024 elections. Dr. Bawumia lost the 2024 presidential election, with John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) securing 6,328,397 valid votes, representing 56.55%, against Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s 4,657,304 votes, representing 41.61%.

Since the beginning of this year, the party has undertaken several reforms to position itself strongly against its main opponent, the NDC, and to recapture power.

Among these reforms is the abolition of the electoral college in favour of a broader base of delegates. The party has also added 19 new delegate categories and granted amnesty to suspended members.

The NPP has announced that suspended members have been reinstated, and all charges against those facing the disciplinary committee have been dropped.

This decision was taken by the National Council during an emergency meeting held on July 25. In a statement dated August 16 and signed by the Acting National Chairman of the Party, Mr. Danquah Smith Buttey, members were informed that as part of measures to ensure unity and cooperation, all banned members had been given the right to return.

"This measure reflects the Party's unwavering commitment to fostering internal cohesion, strengthening solidarity, and preparing collectively for the political tasks ahead.

"I write to inform you that the National Council, at its Emergency Meeting held on Friday, July 25, 2025, resolved, in the interest of unity and reconciliation, to grant a General Amnesty to all Party members who have been suspended or whose disciplinary cases are currently pending before the appropriate disciplinary bodies," parts of the statement read.

The party further urged all relevant bodies, including Regional and Constituency Executive Committees, to reinstate suspended members in accordance with laid-down rules and guiding principles.

"We hereby serve notice that this directive lifts all such suspensions and nullifies any ongoing proceedings against affected members," the statement added.

However, the party clarified that this recall does not apply to members who willfully forfeited their membership. In cases where such individuals wish to return, they are required to submit a formal reinstatement request to the party's secretariat. Upon acceptance, a two-year ban will be imposed, preventing them from contesting in any internal elections.