Former Member of Parliament for Assin Central and ex-NPP presidential hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, has cautioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against what he describes as a growing trend of rewarding failure within its leadership ranks.

Speaking during a visit to mourn the late Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu, in the Ashanti Region, Agyapong addressed a gathering of party supporters, stating unequivocally that the NPP’s tradition does not support giving a second chance to candidates who fail to deliver at the polls.

“The NPP doesn’t give second chances to candidates who fail to deliver. We didn’t do it for Adu Boahen, and we shouldn’t do it now,” Agyapong remarked, in a pointed reference to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s 2024 flagbearer who lost to John Dramani Mahama of the NDC.

Agyapong emphasized that electoral performance, not sentiment or incumbency, should determine a candidate’s future in the party’s hierarchy.

He cited historical examples, including:


  • Prof. Adu Boahen, who, despite his pioneering role in the 1992 elections, was not renominated after losing;

  • President John Agyekum Kufuor, who gained a second chance only after a strong showing in the 1996 elections;

  • Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whose persistence was matched by improved electoral results.
“Even Kufuor had to prove himself in 1996 before getting another opportunity in 2000. Nana Addo did the same. Loyalty to the party must be about results, not blind support,” he said.

Agyapong’s comments come in the wake of the NPP’s disappointing performance in the 2024 general elections, where:

  • John Dramani Mahama of the NDC won with 6,591,790 votes (56.42%);

  • Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia secured 4,877,611 votes (41.75%).

The NDC also claimed a parliamentary majority, deepening the NPP’s need for reflection and restructuring.

Agyapong’s remarks are expected to intensify internal debate over the party’s next steps, particularly as it considers leadership choices ahead of 2028. His position reinforces a growing sentiment among grassroots supporters and some senior members that electoral accountability must be upheld as a core NPP value.

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