Introduction

In a recent interview on Prime News, Bryan Acheampong, the former Member of Parliament for Abetifi and a leading contender for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership, declared that the party has “always rewarded success, not failure.”

By positioning his argument around political performance rather than historical convention, Acheampong seeks to reshape the narrative that has guided NPP’s candidate selection for decades. His remarks come at a critical moment as the party reflects on the 2024 general election results, which saw a stark decline in parliamentary representation across several regions.

This article unpacks the key points of Acheampong’s statement, places them in the wider context of Ghanaian party politics, and offers practical take‑aways for readers interested in the evolving dynamics of the NPP’s nomination process.

Key Points

Performance‑Based Candidacy

Acheampong emphasized that the NPP’s tradition of promoting candidates based on loyalty or seniority must give way to a performance‑centric approach. He argued that “everything you have ends at 41%,” a reference to the percentage of votes secured by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia during the 2024 campaign.

Comparative Campaign Marketing

Using a direct comparison, Acheampong contrasted the 16‑year promotional effort for Bawumia with the eight‑month push that propelled former President Nana Akufo‑Addo to a 49.7% victory in 2016. He contended that the longer marketing window did not translate into proportionally higher electoral returns, suggesting that marketing efficiency matters more than duration.

Regional Election Outcomes

The former MP highlighted the party’s inability to win any of the 34 constituencies in Greater Accra, just two in the Central Region, and none in the six northern zones (Volta, Oti, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah, and Bono East). He described these figures as “damning” evidence that the current candidate selection strategy is ineffective.

Delegate Verdict

Acheampong noted that party delegates are now “reading the writing on the wall.” He suggested that the data-driven feedback from the 2024 election will force a shift toward candidates who can demonstrably improve the party’s electoral fortunes.

Background

Political Trajectory of Bryan Acheampong

Bryan Acheampong served as the MP for Abetifi from 2012 to 2020 and has been an outspoken advocate for policy‑driven governance within the NPP. His bid for the party’s flagbearership is positioned as a reformist alternative to the establishment‑favoured candidate, Vice President Bawumia.

Historical Precedent in NPP Nominations

Since its inception, the NPP has alternated between “seniority‑based” and “performance‑based” candidate selection. Notable examples include:

• 1996 – John Kufuor succeeded Kofi Abrefa Busia after demonstrating strong parliamentary performance.
• 2000 – Kufuor’s re‑election was justified by his policy achievements.
• 2016 – Nana Akufo‑Addo secured the nomination after improving his vote share from 2012.

These cases illustrate a long‑standing belief that electoral success is tied to measurable policy outcomes rather than mere party loyalty.

The 2024 Election Context

The 2024 general election marked a historic low for the NPP, with the party failing to capture any presidential constituency in the northern belt and winning only a handful of parliamentary seats in traditionally strongholds. Analysts attribute this to a combination of economic dissatisfaction, voter fatigue, and perceived misalignment between candidate messaging and voter priorities.

Analysis

Why Performance Metrics Matter

Political scientists in Ghana point out that voter behavior is increasingly driven by tangible improvements in education, health, and infrastructure. When a party’s candidate can demonstrate a clear record of delivering such outcomes, the likelihood of electoral gain rises significantly.

Acheampong’s call for “political performance” aligns with global trends where parties prioritize evidence‑based campaigning. However, the transition from tradition‑based nomination to a data‑driven model presents logistical challenges, especially within a party structure that values hierarchical loyalty.

Implications for Vice President Bawumia

By citing Bawumia’s 41% vote share, Acheampong indirectly questions the viability of retaining a candidate whose campaign narrative has not translated into broader electoral acceptance. This does not constitute a legal claim but raises strategic concerns for party strategists planning the 2028 cycle.

Legal Considerations

Under Ghana’s Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 572), the internal selection of a party’s flagbearer is an internal affair, provided that the process is transparent and does not contravene the party’s constitution. No legal barrier currently prevents the NPP from adopting a performance‑based selection criterion, though any abrupt exclusion of an incumbent office‑holder could trigger internal disputes that may require mediation by the Electoral Commission.

Strategic Recommendations for the NPP

1. Data‑Driven Audits: Conduct a post‑election audit of constituency‑level performance to identify high‑impact regions.

2. Candidate Profiling: Build a database that links each potential candidate to measurable policy achievements.

3. Gradual Transition: Introduce performance metrics in a phased manner to avoid alienating senior party members.

4. Stakeholder Engagement: Hold consultative forums with regional delegates to explain the rationale behind any candidate re‑evaluation.

Practical Advice

For Party Delegates

Delegates should prioritize candidates who can demonstrate a clear link between policy delivery and electoral gains. When assessing contenders, consider:

• Growth in voter turnout in their strongholds.
• Improvements in key socio‑economic indicators within their constituencies.
• Feedback from grassroots engagement activities.

For Campaign Teams

Campaign communications must shift from generic slogans to concrete achievement narratives. Highlight specific projects, fiscal management successes, and community impact stories that resonate with voters.

For Voters

Citizens are encouraged to evaluate candidates based on:

1. Past performance records.
2. Clarity of policy proposals.
3. Feasibility of implementation plans.

An informed electorate is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy and can accelerate the shift toward performance‑centric politics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “performance‑based candidacy” mean?

It refers to selecting party flagbearers based on demonstrable electoral or policy achievements rather than seniority, loyalty, or traditional party hierarchy.

Did Bryan Acheampong officially announce his candidacy?

As of the latest public statements, Acheampong has expressed interest in the NPP flagbearership but has not formally filed nomination papers. His comments were made during an interview on Prime News.

How did the 2024 election results affect the NPP’s parliamentary strength?

The NPP secured only two presidential seats in the Central Region and two in Greater Accra, while losing all contested seats in six northern regions. Overall parliamentary representation dropped significantly compared to the 2020 election.

Is there a legal restriction on changing the NPP’s nomination criteria?

No. Ghana’s Political Parties Act permits parties to determine their own internal selection processes, provided they are transparent and do not breach the party’s constitution.

What are the potential risks of rejecting an incumbent vice president?

Risks include internal party conflict, possible defections, and the perception of disloyalty. However, strategic arguments based on electoral performance can mitigate these risks if communicated effectively.

Conclusion

Bryan Acheampong’s recent remarks signal a pivotal moment for the New Patriotic Party: the recognition that electoral success must be anchored in measurable performance rather than entrenched tradition. While his critique of the 2024 outcome is stark, it also opens a constructive dialogue on how the NPP can recalibrate its candidate selection mechanism to better align with voter expectations.

If the party embraces data‑driven evaluation, communicates transparently with delegates, and aligns campaign narratives with concrete policy wins, it may reverse its recent decline and position itself for a competitive 2028 election. The path forward will require careful navigation of internal politics, but the momentum for reform is unmistakable.

Sources

• Prime News Interview – “We Returned Winners, No Longer Losers” (December 17, 2025).
• Ghana Electoral Commission – Official Results of the 2024 General Election.
• Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 572) – Legal Framework for Party Internal Processes.
• Public statements by Bryan Acheampong, former MP for Abetifi (2023‑2025).
• Analysis by Ghana Political Science Association – “Performance‑Based Candidate Selection in Ghanaian Parties” (2024).

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