Beyond Optics: The Need for Unity After the Primary

In the aftermath of the New Patriotic Party’s recent internal contest, a number of questions have quietly circulated within political circles.

Over the past few weeks, several people have approached me with a similar concern: “Bryan did very well, but why hasn’t he gone to greet Dr Bawumia? Why didn’t he attend the Thanksgiving service?”

Such questions reveal something deeper about the moment we find ourselves in.

Too often, political observers become preoccupied with optics while overlooking substance.

Yet even in the realm of optics, the record tells a different story.

Dr Bryan Acheampong was among the very first aspirants to call Mahamudu Bawumia to congratulate him after the results were declared. The gesture was captured on video and widely circulated.

He did not stop there. At the official declaration of results at the New Patriotic Party headquarters, he followed up with a written message acknowledging the outcome and pledging support for the party’s next phase.

Shortly afterwards, he gathered members of his campaign team, expressed gratitude for their efforts, and urged them to throw their full weight behind Dr Bawumia and the party’s quest for victory in the 2028 general elections.

These are not symbolic gestures. They are acts of political maturity.

It is also worth noting that although Dr Acheampong was officially invited to the Thanksgiving service, he reportedly sought permission to be excused due to prior travel commitments.

Since returning to Ghana, he has resumed his parliamentary duties and has been actively involved in ongoing efforts to reorganise the party both in Abetifi and across the country.

This raises an important question, what more must a man do to demonstrate loyalty to his party and commitment to its future?

The primaries are over. The delegates have spoken. The task before the party now is not to revisit internal rivalries but to rebuild trust and reconnect with the Ghanaian electorate.

Suspicion and internal doubt only weaken the collective effort.

Leadership author John C. Maxwell once observed that “teamwork makes the dream work, but vision becomes a nightmare when the team is divided.”

His words are particularly relevant in moments like this.

Every political contest produces hard words and bruised egos. That is the nature of competitive politics. But maturity requires that once the contest ends, the focus must shift from personal ambition to collective purpose.

History repeatedly shows that enduring victories are born out of unity, whether in nations rebuilding after conflict or political parties renewing themselves after internal competition.

For my NPP, the road ahead demands discipline, loyalty and above all unity of purpose.

This is why the conversation must move beyond optics. What matters now is substance, rebuilding the party, strengthening its structures and presenting a credible vision to the Ghanaian people.

The task ahead is enormous, but it is achievable if members rally together behind a shared goal.

The time for division has passed.

The time for collective progress is now.

 

SOCRATE SAFO SPEAKS

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The author, Socrate Safo is a Ghanaian Film Director and culture advocate. He worked as a Creative Arts director at the National Commission on Culture.