Karaga MP Amin Adam Praises NPP Delegates for Peaceful Primaries, Calls for Unity Ahead of 2028

In a significant address that underscored the importance of internal party cohesion, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Member of Parliament for Karaga and former Minister of Finance, publicly lauded the New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates and supporters in Ghana’s Northern Region for their exemplary conduct during the party’s recent presidential primaries. Speaking at the inauguration of the Northern Regional NPP Headquarters in Tamale on February 14, 2026, Dr. Adam highlighted the peaceful and orderly nature of the contest as a testament to the NPP’s commitment to democratic principles. His speech, however, extended beyond mere congratulations; it was a strategic call for sustained solidarity and discipline, framing party unity as the non-negotiable cornerstone for securing victory in the pivotal 2028 general elections against the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This event and its messaging offer a critical lens through which to examine the state of Ghanaian democracy, the mechanics of political party resilience, and the practical pathways to electoral success.

Key Points from Dr. Amin Adam’s Address

The following points distill the core messages delivered by the Karaga MP, providing a clear summary of his public stance and strategic directives for the party.

• Commendation for Peaceful Primaries: Dr. Adam explicitly praised NPP delegates in the Northern Region for conducting themselves without violence or incident during the presidential primaries, setting a positive national example.
• Affirmation of Democratic Values: He asserted that the transparent and orderly process demonstrated the NPP’s position as Ghana’s most democratic political party, reinforcing a narrative of institutional maturity.
• Call for Continued Solidarity: The MP urged party members to preserve the “spirit of solidarity and self-discipline” witnessed during the primaries, identifying unity as the essential ingredient for future electoral contests.
• Focus on 2028 General Elections: He framed the immediate post-primary period as a crucial phase for reconciliation, directly linking internal harmony to the party’s prospects of defeating the NDC in the 2028 polls.
• Unified Front Mandate: Dr. Adam called on the entire NPP rank and file to “close ranks” and collaborate strategically, positioning reconciliation not as a suggestion but as a tactical necessity for a “decisive victory.”

Background: The NPP, Internal Elections, and the 2028 Horizon

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana’s Political Landscape

Founded in 1992, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is one of Ghana’s two dominant political parties, often positioned on the center-right of the political spectrum. It has alternated in power with the center-left National Democratic Congress (NDC) since the advent of the Fourth Republic. The NPP’s ideology emphasizes liberal economics, private sector development, and democratic governance. Its internal structure includes a vibrant, sometimes competitive, process for selecting presidential candidates, known as the presidential primaries. These primaries are not just procedural steps but intense political contests that can expose and exacerbate internal fractures, making the subsequent call for unity a perennial and critical challenge.

The Context of the 2026 Presidential Primaries

While the specific details of the 2026 primaries (such as the list of candidates) are not the focus of Dr. Adam’s speech, the context is vital. Presidential primaries in Ghana are high-stakes events where aspirants mobilize delegates, often regional or constituency executives, across the country. Historically, these contests have been marred by pockets of violence, delegate bribery allegations, and bitter post-primary divisions that sometimes hinder the party’s performance in the subsequent general election. A “violence-free” and “incident-free” primary, therefore, is not the norm but a notable achievement that requires deliberate management and a strong culture of party discipline. Dr. Adam’s praise for the Northern Region specifically highlights a regional success story within this broader national exercise.

Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam: A Key Party Figure

Dr. Amin Adam is not a peripheral figure. His credentials lend weight to his message. As the MP for Karaga in the Northern Region, he represents a constituency that is electorally significant. His previous role as Minister of Finance under President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration places him within the party’s senior policy and executive echelon. His voice therefore carries the authority of both an elected grassroots representative and a national technocrat. His focus on the Northern Region is also strategically important, as the “Northern Belt” has historically been a contested electoral zone, with the NPP working to strengthen its foothold against the traditionally stronger NDC in that area.

The 2028 General Elections: The Ultimate Prize

The Ghanaian general election is scheduled for December 2028. The 2024 election, which saw the NPP lose its incumbent majority to the NDC (assuming an NDC victory based on the context of “securing a decisive victory over the NDC”), sets the stage for a rematch. The 2028 cycle will be defined by the NPP’s ability to present a united front after its internal contest. Dr. Adam’s speech is a clear acknowledgment that the 2026 primaries are merely a preliminary battle; the war is in 2028. His timeline is strategic: the period between the end of the primaries and the national election is a narrow window for healing, rebranding, and mobilizing. Failure to achieve genuine unity risks a repeat of past patterns where a divided party loses to a consolidated opposition.

Analysis: Deconstructing the Message and Its Implications

Why a Peaceful Primary is a Significant Achievement

In many emerging and consolidating democracies, internal party primaries are flashpoints for violence. This stems from the zero-sum nature of the contest: one candidate wins, all others lose, and their supporters often feel disenfranchised. In Ghana’s context, where politics is closely tied to patronage, access to state resources, and regional/ethnic loyalties, the stakes are exceptionally high. A peaceful primary indicates several underlying strengths:

• Strong Institutional Rules: The party’s electoral committee and dispute resolution mechanisms likely functioned effectively.
• Delegates’ Political Maturity: Delegates prioritized the party’s collective future over short-term gains or individual loyalties.
• Effective Leadership Messaging: Aspirants and senior party leaders may have consistently preached peace and acceptance, creating a normative environment against violence.
• Robust Security Coordination: Collaboration with state security agencies may have been proactive and professional.

Dr. Adam’s public commendation serves to reinforce and celebrate these positive norms, making them a benchmark for other regions and future contests.

The Strategic Imperative of Post-Primary Reconciliation

“Reconciliation” is the unstated work that follows any competitive selection. Dr. Adam’s call is not for superficial peace but for genuine “solidarity.” This involves:

• Inclusive Integration: Ensuring that supporters of losing aspirants feel valued and have defined roles in the party’s upcoming campaign. This includes appointments, campaign leadership positions, and policy incorporation.
• Managing Grievances: Creating formal and informal channels for airing and addressing complaints about the primary process, such as perceived delegate manipulation or campaign irregularities.
• Narrative Control: Shifting the public and internal narrative from “who won/lost” to “the party is ready to govern.” Dr. Adam’s speech itself is an exercise in narrative control, framing the primary as a success story of democracy.

Failure in this phase leads to apathy, defections to rival parties (or the creation of splinter groups), and a lackluster campaign. The NPP’s 2008 and 2016 post-primary periods, for instance, required significant damage control after fiercely contested primaries.

Solidarity as a Counter to the NDC’s Strategy

Dr. Adam explicitly states the goal: “securing a decisive revenue [likely a typo for ‘victory’] over the National Democratic Congress (NDC).” His analysis posits that the NPP’s primary internal challenge is more formidable than the external opposition. This is a common strategic insight in competitive politics: a party that is united, even with a less popular candidate, can often defeat a divided party with a more popular candidate. By urging the party to “close ranks,” he is advocating for a cohesive, disciplined campaign that can exploit any weaknesses in the NDC’s strategy while neutralizing the