Agyarko Will Unite NPP, Win Back Supporters – Henry Quartey

Former Interior Minister Henry Quartey has thrown his weight behind Boakye Agyarko’s bid for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) national chairmanship, saying the party needs a unifier who can bring back members who have drifted away.

Henry Quartey, who is serving as campaign manager for the Agyarko campaign, told journalists in Accra that the party must present a fresh face if it hopes to rebuild and compete seriously in the 2028 general elections.

“The party needs a new face in terms of chairmanship to ensure that it will be attractive to all and sundry,” he said. “And I think the rightful person to lead the party in this charge is Boakye Agyarko.”

He was speaking after a meeting with first and second vice chairpersons, persons with disabilities, financial secretaries, former metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives, assembly members and other party stakeholders.

Mr. Quartey said one of Mr. Agyarko’s central messages is reconciliation. He described the aspirant as someone urging dissatisfied members to return and help rebuild the party they once believed in.

“He is saying that, look, use me as a bridge. All of you come back and let us fight and bring the party that we once upon a time loved,” Mr. Quartey said.

He said Mr. Agyarko had deliberately stayed neutral in the current internal contest rather than tying himself to any faction, a stance Mr. Quartey argued would help him lead fairly if elected.

Mr. Quartey rejected suggestions that Mr. Agyarko’s age should count against him, pointing to the party’s history.

“I have demonstrated factual evidence that since 1992, all the successful chairmen that the NPP has had, coincidentally, have all been above the ages of 64,” he said. “So age is not a factor here. Age is not a disadvantage to Boakye Agyarko.”

He described the former energy minister as a politician with wide professional, administrative and party experience, whose long association with the NPP had given him a clear understanding of its internal structures and problems.

Mr. Quartey also pushed back on claims that flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia would struggle to work with Mr. Agyarko if he becomes chairman.

“Dr Bawumia has not told anybody that he cannot work with Boakye Agyarko. That is the fact,” he said.

The comments come as a study by University of Ghana lecturers examined what NPP delegates want from their next national executives.

When respondents were asked which candidate best matched the qualities they considered important for the national chairman role, Mr. Agyarko scored 60.7 per cent. John Boadu recorded 33.5 per cent and Paul Afoko 5.9 per cent.

Mr. Quartey said the party’s immediate task is to rebuild its grassroots structures, restore confidence among supporters and develop a clear strategy for the next election.

“It’s not just talk, talk, talk. We should have a strategy to win elections,” he said.

He said the party needs adequate resources, effective organisation and strong grassroots structures, while the flagbearer concentrates on the wider campaign to win votes. He urged delegates not to let internal divisions get in the way of preparations for 2028.

The NPP’s national executive elections are scheduled for 3 October 2026, with the new leadership expected to steer the party into the 2028 general elections.