“You Want to Worry Me” — Bawumia Teases Bryan Acheampong Over NPP Flagbearer Speculation

A light-hearted exchange between former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former Agriculture Minister Dr. Bryan Acheampong has stirred fresh buzz around the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) upcoming presidential primaries.

During the final funeral rites of the late Mamponghene and Krontihene of Asanteman, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, a video clip captured Dr. Bawumia jokingly telling Acheampong, “You want to worry me,” in reference to the latter’s rumored presidential ambitions. The playful banter, now circulating widely on social media platform X, hints at an increasingly competitive internal contest for the NPP’s flagbearer slot.

Dr. Bawumia, who led the party into the 2024 presidential elections, is widely expected to mount another bid despite his loss to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Meanwhile, Bryan Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Abetifi, has publicly expressed interest in leading the party—setting the stage for a spirited contest.

Adding to the intrigue, other potential contenders such as former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong—who previously ran against Bawumia—and current Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum are rumored to be weighing their chances.

Kennedy Agyapong, speaking during his own visit to mourn the late Mamponghene, cautioned the party against rewarding failure. Citing NPP history, he argued that the party has traditionally not offered second chances to presidential candidates who underperform.

“We didn’t give Adu Boahen another shot, and we shouldn’t start now,” Agyapong said in a veiled critique of Bawumia’s potential re-election bid.

As the NPP prepares for its next internal showdown, the race is already showing signs of tension, strategy, and a fair share of political theatre.