Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has challenged Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) to secure victory in the 2028 general elections, saying the party must regain power “come what may”.
Mr Akufo-Addo was speaking in Accra on Wednesday, 26 August, when Dennis Miracles Aboagye, who is seeking to become the NPP’s Director of Communications, paid him a courtesy call to formally notify him of his decision to contest the position in the party’s forthcoming internal elections.
Mr Aboagye told the former president that, if elected, he would establish a sophisticated communications operation capable of shaping the party’s message while it remains in opposition.
Responding, Mr Akufo-Addo described communications as one of the most demanding parts of the NPP’s campaign to return to office.
“You are taking up one of the most challenging aspects of our fight back, the communications arena.
“To a large extent, whether we prevail or not will depend on the work that you are going to do, so I am happy that somebody of your quality and commitment has decided to take up this challenge. You have a big challenge ahead of you.
“That challenge is made more so by the fact that in 2028, come what may, we have to win this election, so the opportunity is 2028; let us grab it, and make sure that we bring NPP back into office.”
He also called on Mr Aboagye and party members to unite behind the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as they prepare for the next national election.
“The elections breed competition, when the die is cast on October 1, and I am confident you will win. You have to bring everybody on board and unite all factions in this party behind our flagbearer to make sure he gets onto the seat in 2029. So I want to wish you the very best, and I am confident that on October 1, I will hear good news; I will be in Kumasi.”
The NPP is due to elect its national executives on 3 October as part of its preparations for the 2028 general elections.
The party’s National Officers Elections Committee (NOEC) said 50 nomination forms had been purchased for the 2026 National Officers Elections. It described the nomination exercise, which closed on Saturday, 22 August 2026, as successful and peaceful.
The forms cover the nine national officer positions being contested. The close of nominations marked the start of the process for candidates to submit their completed forms, after the NOEC extended the filing deadline by two days to Saturday, 29 August 2026.
The extension was designed to give aspirants more time to complete their documents and submit them for verification. Vetting is scheduled to take place from Monday, 31 August to Thursday, 3 September, with the results expected on 5 September. Appeals will be heard from 6 to 7 September.
The National Council and National Executive Committee are expected to meet on 10 September, while the notice of poll will be issued on 14 September. The national officers’ election is scheduled for 3 October 2026.
The NOEC said it remained committed to a fair, transparent, orderly and credible process, with equal opportunities for all aspirants.
The candidates listed for national chairperson are Paul Afoko, John Boadu, Boakye Agyarko, Sammy Crabbe and Bernard Antwi Boasiako.
The national vice-chairperson candidates are Henry Nana Boakye, Kojo Fosu Boadu, Mustapha Abdul Hameed, Samuel Pyne, Richard Ahiagba, Abena Pokua Boaitey Amoah, Alhaji Masawudu Osman, Yaa Amponsah Frimpong, George Kwabena Abankwah Yeeboah and Horma Miezah.
Election timetable
The filing of completed nomination forms began on Sunday, 23 August 2026, and is due to close on Saturday, 29 August. Aspirants have been reminded to submit all forms and supporting documents within the stated period and in line with the procedures set out by the committee.
The NPP Secretariat has made arrangements for the orderly receipt, registration and secure custody of the nominations.
Vetting by the duly constituted Vetting Committee will take place according to the following schedule:
Monday, 31 August 2026
– National Chairperson
– General Secretary
– National Treasurer
Tuesday, 1 September 2026
– National Vice Chairperson
Wednesday, 2 September 2026
– National Organiser
– National Youth Organiser
Thursday, 3 September 2026
– National Communications Director
– National Nasara Organiser
– National Women Organiser
