The New Patriotic Party (NPP), founded on July 28, 1992, has produced three flagbearers since its creation.

The centre-right and liberal conservative party in Ghana with the symbol of an African elephant has, however, held six elections to select its flagbearer.

During the 1992 Congress, the NPP elected Albert Adu Boahen as its first-ever flagbearer. He garnered 1,121 votes, representing 56.60 percent of the total votes cast.

He competed against five others, namely: Dr. Dsane Selby, John Agyekum Kufuor, Dr. Safo-Adu, J.A Addison, John Kwame Koduah. Peter Ala Adjetey who announced his presidential ambition, did not contest as he withdrew from the race.

Boahen lost to the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Jerry Rawlings, but received 30.4% of the votes cast.

In 1996 and 1998, the NPP held another congress. Six individuals contested in both congresses, and John Agyekum Kufuor emerged victor in both with 1,034 votes (51.99%) and 1,286 votes (64.60%) respectively.

In his second attempt, Kufuor contested against Albert Adu-Boahen, J.H Mensah, Dr. Jones Ofori-Atta, Dr. Kwame Safo Adu and Dr. Dsane Selby.

During the 1998 congress ahead of the 2000 general elections, Kufuor stood against Kofi Apraku, Mr Kwame Kodua, Malik Alhassan Yakubu and Joseph Henry Mensah.

No individual stood against John Kufuor ahead of the 2004 general elections as he sought to retain his seat after his 2000 general election victory.

Agyekum Kufuor

Prior to the 2008 general elections, a super delegates conference was convened to streamline the seventeen aspirants who had thrown their hats into the ring.

The list of contenders included notable figures such as Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Mr. Kwabena Agyepong, Professor Mike Oquaye (a former Speaker of Parliament), Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, Mr. Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, Mr. Daniel Kweku Botwe, Mr. Alan John Kyerematen, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (the current President of Ghana), Papa Owusu Ankomah, Mr. Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko, Dr. Kobina Arthur Kennedy, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Alhaji Aliu Mahama (then Vice President), Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, and Mr. Felix Kwesi Owusu-Adjapong.

The super delegates conference involved 2,326 delegates representing the 230 constituencies. Of these votes, 2,285 were deemed valid, while 8 were rejected.

Kyerematen and Nana Akufo-Addo

Ultimately, Nana Akufo-Addo emerged as the frontrunner with 1,096 votes, accounting for 47.9% of the total votes cast.

The NPP held its congress in 2010 to determine who leads the party ahead of the 2012 general elections. The number of aspirants dropped drastically. Five contenders stood. Nana Akufo-Addo, Frimpong-Boateng, Alan Kyerematen, Isaac Osei and John Kwame Kudua slugged it out.

Nana Akufo-Addo once again took the lead and was elected NPP’s flagbearer with 83,517 votes, representing 78.89% of the votes cast.

Akufo-Addo lost the 2012 presidential race to another NDC presidential aspirant, John Dramani Mahama who was vice to Atta Mills during his administration.

Prior to the 2016 general elections. Only three candidates competed this time. Francis Addai Nimoh, Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen competed.

After voting, Nana Akufo-Addo, secured 117, 413 votes, representing 94.35 per cent to become flagbearer.

This time around, the NPP’s flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, won the 2016 general elections. He beat John Dramani Mahama.

In 2020, Nana Akufo-Addo went unopposed as he sought to retain his seat, which he did by beating John Mahama.

and Akufo-Addo

Now, the NPP is yet to elect its flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.

The NPP held its second superdelegates conference on Saturday, August 26, to trim down the number of its aspirants from 10 to 5.

On the ballot, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong appeared first, followed by former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen in the second position. Essikado-Ketan MP Joe Ghartey came in at number three, Energy Expert Kwadwo Poku at number four, and Dr Afriyie Akoto, former Minister for Food and Agriculture took the fifth position.

NPP presidential aspirants

Also, former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong was sixth on the ballot, Former member of Parliament for Mampong Constituency Addai-Nimo took the seventh slot, followed by former Trade Minister Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku at number eight. Mr. Kyerematen Agyarko, a former Energy Minister, was number nine and lastly, the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at number 10.

Following the conference, some individuals such as Alan Kyerematen and Boakye Agyarko stepped down from the race.

Four aspirants remain and they will slug it out at the party’s primaries to be held on November 4.

The candidates are Vice President Dr Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Afriyie Akoto and Addai-Nimo.