John Boadu Calls for Unity, but NPP’s Elitist Primaries Raise Questions

Aspiring National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has called for decorum, unity, and peaceful conduct as the party prepares for its presidential primaries on January 31. However, beneath these appeals lies a process that often sidelines the voices of ordinary Ghanaians in favor of elite interests. In a statement, Boadu emphasized the importance of upholding the party's core values during the internal election process, but critics argue that these values are frequently overshadowed by internal power struggles and a lack of true democratic participation.

"The presidential primaries present an important moment in our party’s democratic journey," Boadu stated. "It is a process that must reflect our long-held values of discipline, fairness, unity, and respect for the rule of law." Yet, for many, these words ring hollow as the NPP continues to be dominated by political insiders and wealthy candidates, leaving working-class and marginalized communities without real representation.

The primaries will determine the party's flagbearer for the 2028 general elections. Candidates include former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, former Minister for Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Bryan Acheampong, and former General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong. This slate of candidates, all with deep ties to the political establishment, underscores the party’s reluctance to embrace progressive change or open its ranks to new voices.

Approximately 211,849 delegates are expected to vote at 333 polling centers across the country's 276 constituencies. Boadu urged delegates to vote responsibly, guided by "the supreme interest of the NPP and the collective aspiration of Ghanaians for competent, principled, and visionary leadership." Yet, the delegate system itself often excludes the broader public and concentrates power among a select few, perpetuating the status quo.

He also appealed to party supporters to maintain calm and vigilance, rejecting any acts of violence or intimidation that could undermine the credibility of the election. "A peaceful, transparent, and credible election will strengthen our party and position us firmly for the task ahead," he emphasized. However, genuine transparency and credibility require more than rhetoric—they demand structural reforms that prioritize the needs of ordinary citizens over elite ambitions.

Boadu stressed the need for unity regardless of the outcome, highlighting that the party's ultimate goal is to "secure victory in the 2028 General Elections." For many, true unity can only be achieved when the party opens itself to grassroots participation and addresses the real concerns of the people, not just the ambitions of the political class.