Early Flagbearer Election the Right Move – Political Strategist Backs NPP’s January 2026 Decision
Dr. Tutu Boahen says early selection will boost party unity, campaign readiness, and strategic planning ahead of 2028
- Early flagbearer election is a smart move
- Old strategies no longer work
- NPP must reform its internal system
Political Marketing Strategist, Dr. Bernard Tutu Boahen, has welcomed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision to elect its 2028 presidential flagbearer on January 31, 2026, describing it as a strategic and timely move that could reposition the party ahead of the next general elections.
Speaking on Ghana Se Sen on Lawson TV/Radio, Dr. Boahen praised the party’s leadership for meeting to resolve internal challenges, adding that political strategy must evolve with the times.
“We don’t have one fixed strategy in politics. You can’t always rely on old tactics—every problem requires its own strategy,” he said.
Early Elections, Better Outcomes
Dr. Boahen argued that the main problem for political parties in Ghana often stems from delays in electing presidential candidates.
He pointed out that in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, the NPP’s flagbearer was selected too late, which slowed down party organization and campaign planning.
“If you don’t elect your candidate early, it retards many things in the party. But early selection allows for early campaigning and strategic planning,” he noted.
According to him, past political experiences in Ghana have shown that parties benefit when they elect their flagbearers early. Though some critics have opposed the NPP’s decision, Dr. Boahen countered that similar strategies by other parties have yielded positive results.
Fairness and Reform Needed
Dr. Boahen also weighed in on internal fairness, warning against a bottom-to-top election structure, which he believes has led to unfairness in the past.
He called for reforms in how the party conducts its internal elections, urging the NPP to act if allegations of manipulating the system to favor a particular candidate are true.
“If the rumors are true that some want to scheme the system, the party must change. Fairness is key if they want unity,” he emphasized.
He added that the register—or album—for the election must be thoroughly reviewed and updated to ensure transparency and trust in the process.
Cost of Delegates System and Call to Campaign
Dr. Boahen concluded by identifying the high cost of the delegate system as one of the biggest challenges facing the NPP’s internal elections.
“We vote only for a flagbearer and not party executives. That kind of delegate system is expensive and needs reform.”
He encouraged potential aspirants to begin their campaigns.
“Anyone who wants to run should start campaigning now.”
