The political landscape within Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) is experiencing a surge of grassroots activism as the party navigates the path toward the 2028 general elections. Over 300 current and former polling station executives in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency, coalescing under the banner of the Ajumako Chapter of the United Grassroots Club for Bryan Acheampong, have publicly endorsed Dr. Bryan Acheampong as their preferred presidential candidate. This endorsement underscores a growing sentiment within the party’s rank and file, reflecting a desire for unity and a strategic focus on reclaiming power after the 2024 elections. The group’s fervent appeal for unity resonates with a broader concern over the potential for factionalism to undermine the party’s electoral prospects.
The group’s leader, Patrick Arthur, articulated the urgency of the situation, characterizing the NPP as being at a critical crossroads. He emphasized that the party’s success in 2028 hinges on rallying behind a candidate capable of bridging divides and fostering cohesion. Arthur presented Dr. Acheampong as the embodiment of this unifying force, suggesting he possesses the necessary qualities to heal internal rifts and steer the party towards victory. The endorsement, according to Arthur, reflects a national groundswell of support for Acheampong, citing a reported consensus among over 40,648 polling station executives and 6,272 electoral area coordinators across the country. This claim underscores the group’s belief that they represent a significant portion of the party’s grassroots and that their voice should be heeded by the party leadership.
The press conference served as a platform for the group to express their concerns about the growing divisions within the NPP, particularly between supporters of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong. The group characterized the rivalry between these two prominent figures as detrimental to party unity, potentially jeopardizing their chances in the upcoming elections. Arthur, drawing a parallel to the early Christian church in Corinth, highlighted the dangers of factionalism and emphasized the need for unity to prevail. The reference to scripture serves to underscore the moral imperative of party cohesion, framing the internal divisions as a betrayal of the party’s shared values and goals.
Furthermore, the United Grassroots Club raised concerns about the potential for the Bawumia-Agyapong rivalry to escalate into religious tensions. They observed that some supporters are aligning themselves along religious lines, a development they described as “deeply worrying.” This observation highlights the potential for political divisions to exploit existing societal fault lines, further exacerbating internal conflicts and potentially destabilizing the broader political landscape. The group’s emphasis on this issue underscores the importance of choosing a candidate who can transcend such divisions and foster inclusivity within the party.
The group’s endorsement of Dr. Bryan Acheampong is predicated on their belief that he possesses the necessary attributes to navigate the complex political terrain. They highlighted his temperament, organizational skills, and unifying appeal as key assets that can mend the fractured relationships within the party and position the NPP for success in 2028. The emphasis on Acheampong’s unifying appeal underscores the group’s prioritization of internal harmony as a prerequisite for electoral victory. They contend that only by healing internal divisions can the party effectively focus on the challenges facing the nation and present a compelling vision to the electorate.
In their concluding remarks, the Ajumako Chapter of the United Grassroots Club for Bryan Acheampong issued a direct and unambiguous appeal to the party leadership. They urged the NPP to prioritize unity over division, presenting Dr. Acheampong as the embodiment of this desired unity. Their call to action serves as a rallying cry for party members to set aside personal ambitions and factional loyalties in favor of a collective effort to secure victory in the 2028 elections. This appeal, coming from the grassroots level, underscores the growing sense of urgency within the party to address internal divisions and present a united front to the electorate. The group’s message is clear: the NPP’s future success depends on its ability to embrace unity and choose a leader who can bridge the divides and inspire a shared vision for the nation.
