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My Response to Dr Bryan Acheampong: Facts Will Have to Succeed

Author: Mahama Kurabaso
Publication: Life Pulse Daily
Date: January 16, 2026

Introduction

In the high-stakes arena of Ghanaian politics, the integrity of information is the bedrock upon which public trust is built. As the race for the presidential candidacy intensifies, particularly within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the need for factual consistency has never been more critical. This article serves as a direct response to recent comments made by Dr. Bryan Acheampong regarding the political landscape in the Savannah Region and the Damongo Constituency.

As an active patriot deeply involved in the Damongo Constituency and a dedicated member of the NPP, I feel a moral and civic obligation to address what I perceive as misleading and contradictory narratives. Dr. Acheampong’s recent statements attempt to manipulate the perception of the party’s strength in the region, creating a narrative that crumbles under the weight of objective facts. Politics, at its core, should be about data, consistency, and credibility—not selective storytelling designed to fuel personal ambition.

This analysis dissects the inconsistencies in Dr. Acheampong’s arguments, highlights the true political dynamics of the Savannah Region, and offers a perspective on what the NPP requires to reclaim power in the upcoming elections.

Key Points

Background

The Savannah Region, historically a stronghold for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has seen shifting dynamics over the last decade. Within this region lies the Damongo Constituency, a strategic political hub. In the 2020 general elections, the NPP achieved a significant milestone by winning the Damongo parliamentary seat through Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, defeating a sitting Minister of State.

This victory was not merely a fluke; it was the result of intense grassroots campaigning and a recognition of the incumbent government’s developmental projects in the area. However, the broader context of the Savannah Region remains a point of contention. The NDC holds the majority of seats in the region, a fact often weaponized in internal party debates.

Dr. Bryan Acheampong, a prominent figure within the NPP and a potential presidential aspirant, has recently utilized the region’s electoral statistics to question the efficacy of current leadership. His argument hinges on the idea that the NPP has failed to make inroads in President Mahama’s home region. Yet, this broad-brush assessment fails to account for the nuances of constituency-level politics and the specific achievements in Damongo.

Analysis

The core of the disagreement lies in the logical inconsistency of Dr. Acheampong’s statements. To understand why his arguments are problematic, we must analyze the specific claims regarding the Damongo Constituency and the Savannah Region.

The Contradiction of Presence

Dr. Acheampong poses a rhetorical question regarding why 4,000 delegates who voted for Hon. Abu Jinapor did not extend the same support to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2024 general elections. While this is a valid area for political analysis, he uses it to suggest that Hon. Jinapor lacks genuine influence within the NPP in Damongo.

Simultaneously, Dr. Acheampong attacks the NPP leadership for failing to secure a single parliamentary seat in the Savannah Region under President Mahama’s influence. This is a classic case of cognitive dissonance. Damongo is not just any town; it is the capital of the Savannah Region. Hon. Abu Jinapor’s seat is located in Damongo. Therefore, to claim that the NPP has no parliamentary representation in the Savannah Region while ignoring the Damongo seat is intellectually dishonest.

If the NPP holds the Damongo seat, the party has a parliamentary presence in the region. Dr. Acheampong cannot simultaneously acknowledge the NPP’s grip on Damongo (by questioning the delegates’ voting patterns) and deny the party’s existence in the Savannah Region. This contradiction undermines his credibility as a strategist.

Understanding Homeground Benefit

Another critical aspect of this debate is the voting pattern observed in the 2020 elections, where President John Dramani Mahama received more votes in Damongo than President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Dr. Acheampong seems to present this as an anomaly or a failure of the local NPP leadership.

However, this is a textbook example of “homeground benefit”—a universal political concept where a candidate enjoys a natural advantage in their place of origin. Damongo is President Mahama’s maternal home. It is natural for a politician to poll massive numbers in their hometown due to familial ties, traditional loyalty, and direct community engagement.

To weaponize this predictable outcome against the NPP leadership is disingenuous. It is comparable to criticizing the NPP for losing the Ablekuma West constituency to the NDC when the NDC candidate hails from there. Political science principles dictate that homeground advantage is a factor that must be weighed, not used as a blunt instrument to criticize party cohesion.

The Role of Performance and Resources

The retention of the Damongo seat by the NPP is not accidental. It is a result of performance, economic backing, and relentless grassroots work. Hon. Abu Jinapor has been credited with developmental projects and effective representation, which helped the NPP overcome the traditional homeground advantage of the NDC in the region.

Dr. Acheampong’s attempt to downplay this achievement suggests a disconnect from the reality on the ground. Damongo is not a “village outpost” as some might assume; it is the political heartbeat of the Savannah Region. The NPP’s presence there is a strategic victory that should be celebrated and leveraged, not ignored or undermined in a bid to score political points within the party.

Practical Advice

As the presidential contest within the NPP heats up, it is essential for aspirants like Dr. Bryan Acheampong to recalibrate their strategies. Here is a practical roadmap for a constructive political campaign:

Focus on Policy and Vision

Instead of engaging in statistical gymnastics that confuse the electorate, candidates should focus on articulating a clear vision for Ghana. Voters are increasingly sophisticated and are looking for solutions to pressing issues such as:

• Economic Recovery: Concrete plans for inflation control and currency stabilization.
• Job Creation: Strategies for youth employment and industrialization.
• Infrastructure: Sustaining the momentum of development projects in rural areas like the Savannah Region.

Promote Party Unity

The NPP’s greatest asset is its unity. Internal attacks that disparage the achievements of sitting MPs or the influence of party stalwarts only serve to weaken the collective strength. Dr. Acheampong should pivot towards building bridges, ensuring that all factions—from the grassroots to the executive level—feel valued and included.

Respect the Facts

Fact-checking is a two-way street. Before making sweeping statements about the lack of NPP presence in certain regions, aspirants must ensure their data aligns with reality. Acknowledging the NPP’s foothold in Damongo is not a sign of weakness; it is an acknowledgment of a hard-won victory that can be replicated elsewhere.

FAQ

Conclusion

Politics should be a contest of ideas, not a battle of misleading statistics. Dr. Bryan Acheampong’s recent commentary on the Damongo Constituency and the Savannah Region relies on a narrative that collapses under scrutiny. The facts are clear: Damongo stands as a beacon of NPP success in the Savannah Region, a testament to the hard work of Hon. Abu Jinapor and the local party structure.

As we approach the critical elections of 2028, the NPP must prioritize unity, factual accuracy, and a compelling vision for Ghana’s future. Throwing stones from a glass house—or in this case, making contradictory claims about the party’s own strongholds—only distracts from the real issues at hand.

The delegates are watching, and the Ghanaian people are listening. They deserve a campaign rooted in truth and a leadership that respects the complexity of our political landscape. Facts must succeed, for the sake of the party and the nation.