Former Minister of Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong, has called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to put aside their differences and unite behind the party’s flagbearer, Mahamudu Bawumia, ahead of the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on June 19, Dr. Acheampong appealed for calm and reconciliation within the party following recent comments by former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, who reportedly threatened action against the party and some individuals over grievances stemming from the NPP’s presidential primary.
Dr. Acheampong, who also contested in the party’s January 2026 presidential primary, said he understood the disappointment that comes with losing a fiercely contested election and acknowledged the emotional investment candidates and their supporters make during such campaigns.
He stressed, however, that the NPP’s overriding priority should be rebuilding and returning to power after its defeat in the 2024 general election.
“Our party suffered a painful defeat in 2024. The single most important task before us between now and 2028 is to rebuild, reunite and return to power,” he stated.
The Abetifi MP expressed concern over the escalating tensions within the party and urged Kennedy Agyapong to use his influence to promote healing rather than division.
Describing Mr. Agyapong as a loyal party stalwart whose contributions to the NPP over the years cannot be questioned, Dr. Acheampong said the former presidential aspirant’s concerns deserved attention but should not undermine the party’s collective mission.
He acknowledged that some individuals associated with various campaigns, including his own, directed disrespectful remarks and insults at Mr. Agyapong during and after the primary contest. According to him, such conduct was inconsistent with the values of the NPP and should have been addressed more swiftly by party elders.
However, he rejected suggestions that Dr. Bawumia was responsible for those attacks, insisting there was no evidence that the NPP flagbearer commissioned, encouraged, or endorsed them.
“It would be a grave error to allow the misconduct of a few to be charged to the account of our flagbearer, or worse, to our entire party,” he stated.
Dr. Acheampong also called for introspection among all factions within the party, noting that heated exchanges occurred on multiple sides during the campaign period.
He urged party members to embrace reconciliation without waiting for others to make the first move, stressing that unity would be crucial if the NPP hopes to regain power in 2028.
He concluded by appealing to Kennedy Agyapong, his supporters, and all party faithful to “lay down the weapons of internal warfare” and rally behind Dr. Bawumia.
“Dr. Bawumia is now the candidate of all of us. He carries the mandate not only of those who voted for him, but of every member who voted for Ken, for me, and for the others who contested,” he said.
According to Dr. Acheampong, unity remains the NPP’s strongest path to electoral victory, adding that personal grievances must not be allowed to overshadow the party’s broader objective of returning to government.