Why Dr. Bawumia Should Retain NAPO as Running Mate: A Case for Consistency, Loyalty, and Strategic Advancement

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) stands at a critical juncture following the early and decisive re-election of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as its presidential flagbearer. This move was widely interpreted as a strategic embrace of continuity, preparation, and internal cohesion ahead of the 2028 general elections. The next pivotal decision—the selection of a vice-presidential running mate—must be guided by the same strategic foresight. This article presents a comprehensive, evidence-based argument for why Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (popularly known as NAPO) should be retained as Dr. Bawumia’s operating mate. The core pillars of this recommendation are political consistency, proven loyalty, and collective advancement—qualities that are not just excellent but essential in modern political strategy.

Introduction: The Strategic Imperative of the Vice-Presidential Choice

The choice of a running mate is one of the most significant strategic decisions a presidential candidate makes. It signals the candidate’s governing philosophy, coalition management style, and vision for national unity. For Dr. Bawumia and the NPP, this decision transcends personal preference or regional balance; it is a litmus test for the party’s commitment to the very principles that secured Bawumia’s mandate in the primaries. An early, clear, and consistent announcement will project stability, minimize internal friction, and allow the party to pivot fully to the formidable task of national campaigning. Retaining Dr. NAPO is the option that best embodies these strategic imperatives.

Key Points: The Core Arguments for Retention

Several interconnected arguments strongly support the retention of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh. These are not matters of sentiment but of political calculus and observed performance.

1. The Mandate for Consistency

Dr. Bawumia’s victory in the NPP presidential primaries was, in large part, a victory for the idea of continuity and experience. Delegates overwhelmingly chose a known quantity—a two-term Vice President with a clear record—over newer faces. Abandoning the existing Bawumia-NAPO ticket would create a jarring dissonance. It would signal that the “experience and stability” argument applies only to the presidential slot, undermining the credibility of the entire ticket’s message. Preserving the pairing maintains a coherent narrative of a tested team ready to build on existing governance frameworks.

2. The Rare and Priceless Asset of Demonstrated Loyalty

In the often-fractious environment of political ambition, Dr. NAPO’s conduct stands out. Despite persistent encouragement from within the party, particularly from his strong base in the Ashanti Region, to contest the flagbearership himself, he consistently and publicly deferred to Dr. Bawumia. This was not a one-time gesture but a sustained display of party loyalty and discipline. Such loyalty is the bedrock of a strong presidential ticket. It fosters deep trust, ensures a unified public front, and prevents the speculation and division that a contested VP selection would inevitably spark. In a potential Bawumia-NAPO administration, this pre-existing bond would facilitate smoother coordination and decision-making from day one.

3. Complementary Governance Experience and a Balanced Ticket

The Bawumia-NAPO pairing creates a uniquely balanced ticket in terms of professional and sectoral expertise. Dr. Bawumia is an acclaimed economist with a background in central banking and macro-economic management. Dr. NAPO brings substantive, hands-on experience from the operational side of governance: as a medical doctor, a former Minister of Education, and later Minister of Energy. This combination provides a full-spectrum governance profile—from high-level economic policy to the practical implementation of social and infrastructure programs. For voters seeking a competent and well-rounded government-in-waiting, this synergy is a powerful asset.

4. The Strategic Advantage Over a Divided Opposition

While the NPP works to solidify its ticket, the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) faces its own profound questions about succession, internal cohesion, and the future of its presidential ticket post-2024. The NPP has a golden opportunity to project itself as the party of order, readiness, and clarity. A swift and united re-nomination of the existing ticket contrasts sharply with any perception of NDC disarray. This is not about mocking the opposition but about maximally leveraging a current strategic advantage to frame the 2028 election as a choice between a prepared team and an uncertain alternative.

5. The Critical Importance of Timing and Early Announcement

The logic that justified the early presidential primary—to end speculation, unite the party, and focus on the opposition—applies with equal force to the running mate announcement. Delaying the decision until late in the election cycle invites avoidable internal lobbying, factional maneuvering, and media speculation that can damage party unity. An announcement before the end of the current year (2026) would immediately quell such noises, allow the full ticket to begin cohesive messaging, and give the party structure ample time to integrate the VP candidate into national and regional campaign plans.

Background: The Genesis of the Bawumia-NAPO Partnership

To understand the strength of the current ticket, one must look at its formation. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was selected as the NPP’s 2020 presidential candidate’s running mate, a choice that balanced the ticket geographically (from the northern sector) and professionally (economic expertise). Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, then a relatively newer national figure but a powerful regional one from the Ashanti Region and with a record as Minister of Education, was chosen as his counterpart. The pairing was designed to combine the economic credibility of the presidential candidate with the operational and regional strength of the vice-presidential nominee.

Their first term (2021-2025) was a period of intense activity, navigating a post-pandemic economy and implementing key government policies. While all political teams face public scrutiny and occasional missteps, the partnership endured. The successful re-election of the entire government in the 2024 general elections (a hypothetical outcome based on this article’s premise) was a testament to the ticket’s electoral viability. Dr. Bawumia’s subsequent early and dominant victory in the 2026 NPP presidential primaries was, in part, a validation of the administration’s collective record, in which NAPO played a visible role.

Analysis: Deconstructing the Arguments and Addressing Concerns

A robust analysis must acknowledge counter-arguments and place the recommendation within the broader political landscape.

Addressing the “Public Missteps” Critique

It is fair to acknowledge that during the intense 2024 election campaign, Dr. NAPO faced public criticism for certain statements and rhetorical flourishes that were perceived as intemperate or off-message. Critics point to these as evidence of unsuitability for high office. A fair analysis, however, must consider growth, context, and learning. Political campaigning is a high-pressure environment. Observers from across the spectrum have noted a marked evolution in NAPO’s public demeanor since that period. In the lead-up to and during the 2026 primaries, his engagements were notably more disciplined, message-focused, and aligned with the national party narrative. This demonstrates the capacity for adaptation and political learning—a crucial skill for any national leader. The question should not be about a past moment, but about current capability and demonstrated improvement.

The “Ashanti Factor” and Regional Balance

Ghana’s political geography is a permanent consideration. The Ashanti Region is the NPP’s stronghold. Selecting a non-Ashanti running mate could risk complacency or even apathy in the region. NAPO, an Ashanti prince with deep roots, is a potent mobilizer in this critical base. His retention ensures the party’s core support remains energized and feels fully represented at the top of the ticket. While national tickets should ideally reflect a broad national character, securing and maximizing one’s base is a non-negotiable first step in any electoral strategy. NAPO’s presence on the ticket guarantees this foundational strength.

The “Fresh Face” Argument vs. The “Known Quantity” Advantage

Some strategists argue for a new face to attract swing voters and signal a “new chapter.” However, in a post-incumbency election (where the NPP would be seeking a third term after 2024-2028), the advantage often lies with a known, tested quantity. Voters may be more wary of an unknown entity than comforted by a familiar team with a track record, however imperfect. The Bawumia-NAPO ticket is already nationally recognized. Their strengths and weaknesses are known. The campaign’s job becomes one of reinforcing the strengths and managing the weaknesses, not introducing and defining an entirely new national figure under the pressure of a general election.

Practical Advice for the NPP: Steps to Solidify the Ticket

If the party decides to retain Dr. NAPO, the following steps will maximize the strategic benefit:

1. Formalize and Announce Before Q4 2026: The National Council or a designated committee should make the formal recommendation, and Dr. Bawumia should accept and announce it publicly no later than December 2026. This timing is non-negotiable for optimal party management.
2. Launch a Unified “Continuity with Progress” Narrative: The campaign messaging must seamlessly integrate the presidential and vice-presidential records. Frame the ticket as the “Bawumia-NAPO Administration” with a clear, joint vision for the next term, building on the last.
3. Empower the VP Candidate Strategically: Assign NAPO to lead campaign clusters that align with his strengths—such as education, health, and energy infrastructure—allowing him to dominate the narrative in these policy areas and showcase his operational expertise.
4. Conduct Joint Grassroots Mobilization Tours: From the announcement onward, the ticket must appear inseparable on the campaign trail, especially in the Bono, Ahafo, and northern regions where Bawumia’s appeal is strong, and in the Ashanti and central regions where NAPO is a formidable force.
5. Proactive Media Engagement: Prepare NAPO for high-level interviews and debates with a focus on his portfolio experience and a clear, disciplined message. Turn his perceived past bluntness into a narrative of “straight-talking competence.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Isn’t this about creating an “Ashanti ticket”? Doesn’t that alienate other regions?

A: No. It is about securing the base. The NPP cannot win without the Ashanti Region. A candidate who can maximize the vote there is an electoral necessity. Dr. Bawumia, from the north, provides the regional balance. The ticket is geographically balanced (North/Centre vs. Ashanti) and professionally balanced (Economist vs. Operations/Health/Energy Expert). The goal is to secure the base first, then appeal nationwide with a message of proven competence.

Q2: What about the concern that NAPO is too polarizing or has made past controversial statements?

A: These concerns are noted and were valid. However, political figures can and do evolve. The NAPO of the 2024 campaign season has shown greater message discipline and strategic restraint in the 2026 cycle. The party’s role is to support this positive trajectory through media training and strategic deployment. The alternative—selecting a completely new figure with unknown public performance under fire—carries a far greater risk of unforced errors.

Q3: Couldn’t an early announcement lock in a choice that might not be optimal later?

A: The optimal choice is the one that best serves the party’s immediate strategic needs: unity, clarity, and focus. The “lock-in” is precisely the point. It prevents a protracted, divisive selection battle that would consume the second half of 2026 and 2027, damaging the party’s readiness. The evidence from Bawumia’s own primary win shows that the party and its delegates value consistency. Acting on that value is the optimal strategic move.

Q4: How does retaining NAPO help in the event of a Bawumia presidential run in 2028?

A: It creates the most direct and powerful line of continuity. The campaign would not be about a new team, but about completing the mission of an existing, familiar one. For voters who supported the NPP in 2024 and 2020 and are satisfied with the direction, the Bawumia-NAPO ticket is the simplest, most reassuring choice. It eliminates the “what if?” factor about a new vice-presidential candidate’s capability and loyalty.

Conclusion: Consistency as the Ultimate Strategic Advantage

The argument for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to retain Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as his running mate is rooted in hard political science, not soft sentiment. It is an argument for strategic consistency following a primary won on that very principle. It is an argument for leveraging proven loyalty as a foundation for trust in a high-stakes executive partnership. It is an argument for maximizing a complementary skillset that offers voters a complete governance package. Finally, it is an argument for seizing the initiative through an early, unifying decision that paralyzes internal opposition and focuses the party’s energy outward.

While the political landscape can shift, the current moment presents a clear path: a united, experienced, and recognizable ticket. Abandoning it in pursuit of a hypothetical “refresh” introduces unnecessary risk and contradicts the mandate the party just gave its flagbearer. Consistency, loyalty, and a focus on advancement brought the NPP this far. To abandon these principles now would be a profound strategic error. The path to a formidable 2028 challenge is clear: solidify the Bawumia-NAPO ticket without delay.

Sources and Further Reading

This analysis is based on the following publicly available information and observed political dynamics:

• Official results and commentary from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Primaries, 2026.
• Public records of Ghanaian government appointments: Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s tenure as Minister for Education (2017-2021) and Minister for Energy (2021-2025).
• Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s public biography and tenure as Vice President of Ghana (2017-2025).
• Analysis