Grassroots dangle the sovereignty – Kennedy Agyapong’s crew brushes off Bawumia endorsements – Life Pulse Daily

Grassroots Dangle theSovereignty: Kennedy Agyapong’s Campaign Dismisses Bawumia Endorsements

**Introduction: A Clash of Political Strategies in Ghana’s NPP Primaries**

The ongoing battle for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearership in Ghana has intensified, centering on a fundamental question of political power and representation. Recent events saw a significant number of NPP parliamentary candidates from the 2024 elections publicly endorse former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the party’s top position. However, this move has been met with a decisive and provocative response from the campaign team of Kennedy Agyapong. Spokesperson Kwasi Kwarteng delivered a clear message: endorsements from former parliamentary candidates hold no sway over the ultimate decision. Instead, Agyapong’s campaign asserts that the true locus of power, the “sovereignty,” resides firmly with the grassroots – specifically, the over 209,000 polling station executives. This stance represents a direct challenge to the Bawumia camp’s strategy, which appears heavily focused on securing support from the party’s established elites and high-ranking officials. This article delves into the statements made by Kwarteng, the context of the endorsements, the contrasting campaign strategies, and the potential implications for the NPP’s internal dynamics.

**Key Points: The Core Assertions**

1. **Sovereignty Lies with the Grassroots:** The Agyapong campaign explicitly states that the real sovereignty of the NPP resides with the grassroots, particularly the polling station executives. They prioritize engaging and securing the votes of these executives over endorsements from former parliamentary candidates.
2. **Endorsements from Former Candidates are Dismissed:** Spokesperson Kwasi Kwarteng declared that the endorsement of 188 former NPP parliamentary candidates for Bawumia is irrelevant to the Agyapong campaign’s strategy and ultimate goal. They view it as a non-factor.
3. **Bawumia’s Strategy Criticized:** Kwarteng criticized the Bawumia campaign for an “overconcentration” on the “supreme hierarchy” of the party – MPs, MMDCEs, and Political Party Executives (PCs). He questioned the campaign’s understanding of the importance of the grassroots executives.
4. **Risk of Alienating the Base:** The Agyapong campaign warns that the Bawumia strategy risks alienating the very foundation of the NPP – its grassroots members and executives, who are described as being acutely aware of the party’s current standing.
5. **Focus on the Grassroots Executive:** The Agyapong campaign’s core strategy is to “transport to the polling station executives,” seeking their votes directly. They believe these executives are vital and currently mindful of the party’s situation.

**Background: The Endorsement and the Response**

The backdrop to this confrontation is the declaration of support by 188 former NPP parliamentary candidates for Dr. Bawumia’s presidential bid. This move was significant, signaling a degree of unity and backing from a segment of the party’s former elected representatives. However, the Agyapong campaign’s reaction was swift and unequivocal.

Kwasi Kwarteng, serving as the spokesperson for Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign, framed this endorsement not as a strategic coup for Bawumia, but as an irrelevant gesture. His remarks were made in the context of the campaign’s unwavering focus on mobilizing the grassroots executives. The number 209,000 cited by Kwarteng refers to the estimated total number of polling station executives across Ghana, highlighting the sheer scale of the grassroots network the campaign aims to engage.

The Bawumia campaign’s strategy, as perceived by Agyapong’s team, appears to be heavily reliant on leveraging the influence of the party’s established leadership figures – Members of Parliament (MPs), Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and Political Party Executives (PCs). This approach, according to Agyapong’s spokesperson, overlooks the critical role and current sentiment of the grassroots executives who are directly responsible for voter mobilization and election administration at the ward level.

**Analysis: Strategy, Sovereignty, and Potential Consequences**

The Agyapong campaign’s dismissal of the former parliamentary candidates’ endorsements and its emphatic assertion of grassroots sovereignty represent a significant ideological and tactical shift within the NPP primaries. This stance can be analyzed through several lenses:

1. **Strategic Divergence:** The core difference lies in the perceived path to victory. The Bawumia camp seems to prioritize consolidating support from the party’s elite hierarchy, believing their endorsement carries weight and can sway the broader membership. In contrast, the Agyapong camp argues that true victory requires direct, grassroots mobilization, viewing the executives as the ultimate deciders. This reflects a broader debate within Ghanaian politics about the balance between elite influence and grassroots power.
2. **The Concept of “Sovereignty”:** The use of the term “sovereignty” is deliberate and loaded. By claiming the sovereignty resides with the grassroots executives, Agyapong’s campaign is making a powerful statement about democratic legitimacy within the party. It positions the executives not just as voters, but as the ultimate arbiters of the party’s direction. This challenges the traditional view where elite endorsements might be seen as more influential.
3. **Risk Assessment:** The Agyapong campaign’s strategy carries inherent risks. While mobilizing the grassroots is crucial, relying solely on their votes without broader elite support could face challenges in terms of resources, organizational structure, and potentially, internal party cohesion. Conversely, the Bawumia camp’s strategy risks alienating the grassroots if they perceive the elite focus as dismissive of their concerns and contributions, potentially leading to lower grassroots engagement or even defection.
4. **The Role of the Grassroots Executives:** The emphasis on polling station executives highlights their critical, yet often underappreciated, role in Ghana’s electoral process. They are the frontline organizers, responsible for voter registration, polling, and result collation. Their support is vital for any candidate’s success. The Agyapong campaign’s focus on them underscores their strategic importance.
5. **Implications for Party Unity:** This public clash, particularly the dismissal of a significant bloc of former candidates, carries potential implications for party unity. While the Agyapong campaign insists it’s focused solely on winning the primaries, the tone of Kwarteng’s remarks could be perceived as divisive by some within the party. Managing this dynamic will be crucial for the NPP’s future cohesion post-primaries.

**Practical Advice: Navigating the Primaries**

For political actors observing or involved in the NPP primaries:

1. **Grassroots Engagement is Paramount:** Regardless of the current strategy, building genuine, sustained engagement with the grassroots executives and members is essential for long-term party health and electoral success. Understanding their concerns and aspirations is critical.
2. **Strategic Flexibility:** Campaigns should remain adaptable. While a core strategy is important, the ability to pivot and address emerging dynamics (like significant elite endorsements) can be a decisive factor.
3. **Communication Clarity:** Clear, consistent communication of strategy and vision to all party stakeholders (members, executives, elites) is vital to manage expectations and foster a sense of inclusion.
4. **Focus on Policy and Vision:** Ultimately, the primary battle will be won on the merits of policy proposals, leadership vision, and perceived ability to deliver on promises, rather than solely on endorsements or grassroots mobilization tactics alone.

**FAQ: Addressing Key Questions**

* **Q: What exactly does “sovereignty” mean in this context?** A: The Agyapong campaign uses “sovereignty” to refer to the ultimate authority and decision-making power within the NPP, specifically asserting that this power resides with the grassroots polling station executives, not with elite endorsements or high-ranking officials.
* **Q: How many polling station executives are there?** A: Spokesperson Kwasi Kwarteng stated there are approximately 209,000 polling station executives across Ghana.
* **Q: Why are the former parliamentary candidates’ endorsements seen as irrelevant?** A: The Agyapong campaign views these endorsements as symbolic gestures lacking the direct, grassroots impact necessary to secure victory. They believe the executives’ votes are the decisive factor.
* **Q: Is this a sign of deep division within the NPP?** A: While the public clash is significant, it represents a strategic disagreement rather than an immediate fracture. The party’s ability to manage this dynamic post-primaries will determine long-term unity.
* **Q: What happens if the Agyapong campaign fails to mobilize the executives?** A: Failure to secure the votes of the grassroots executives would likely result in defeat, regardless of the campaign’s strategy. Success hinges on their support.

**Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment in the Primaries**

The declaration by Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign that the sovereignty of the NPP lies with the grassroots polling station executives, and its dismissal of the endorsement of 188 former parliamentary candidates for Dr. Bawumia, marks a defining moment in the party’s internal struggle. This stance is not merely a tactical maneuver; it represents a fundamental challenge to the perceived sources of political power within the NPP. By prioritizing direct engagement with the executives over elite endorsements, Agyapong’s team is betting that the true power lies not in the hierarchy, but in the ground-level network responsible for mobilizing voters. This strategy forces the Bawumia campaign to justify its focus on the party’s elite and raises critical questions about the balance between grassroots mobilization and elite influence in Ghanaian politics. The outcome of this clash will significantly shape the trajectory of the NPP primaries and the future direction of Ghanaian politics.

**Sources**

* Life Pulse Daily. (2026, January 8). Grassroots dangle the sovereignty – Kennedy Agyapong’s crew brushes off Bawumia endorsements. [Original Article]