Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has handed prominent roles to all four of his former challengers in the New Patriotic Party’s presidential primaries, in a move widely viewed as an effort to strengthen party unity and reposition the NPP ahead of the 2028 elections.
The NPP flagbearer announced the appointments as part of a newly created policy committee structure aimed at developing research-based alternatives across key sectors of governance and the economy.
The decision has already generated significant discussion within political circles, with many observers describing it as one of the clearest signs yet that the party is attempting to close ranks after its internal contest.
At the centre of the new arrangement is the main NPP Policy Committee, which will be chaired by former Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah. Dr Kwasi Nyame Baafi will serve as secretary to the committee.
Under the framework, several sector-focused subcommittees have been established to oversee areas including education, health, energy, employment, transport, decentralisation, the economy and natural resources.
The committees are expected to conduct independent research, engage experts and stakeholders and propose policy alternatives for consideration by the party leadership.
But the most notable aspect of the announcement is the inclusion of Kennedy Agyapong, Kwabena Agyapong, Bryan Acheampong and Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, all of whom contested Dr Bawumia during the NPP presidential primaries.
Kennedy Agyapong has been named Co-Chairman of the Employment and Jobs Policy Committee, while Kwabena Agyapong will serve as Co-Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Policy Committee.
Bryan Acheampong has been appointed Co-Chairman of the Defence and Interior Policy Committee, with former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum taking up the role of Co-Chairman of the Education Policy Committee.
Party insiders say the initiative reflects Dr Bawumia’s desire to move the NPP beyond what they describe as reactive opposition politics and toward a more structured, policy-driven approach.
One source close to the flagbearer said the goal is to position the party as a credible alternative government with detailed and practical solutions.
“Dr Bawumia wants a party that doesn’t just criticise. He wants a party that can present Ghanaians with a clear, costed, and credible alternative at any point in time,” the source reportedly said.
Political analysts have also pointed to the strategic significance of assigning major responsibilities to former rivals rather than sidelining them after the primaries.
Analyst Dr Domfeh described the move as a way of reducing lingering internal tensions while giving influential party figures meaningful roles within the larger political project.
“What Bawumia has done is essentially neutralise any lingering post-primary tension by giving each of these men ownership — real, substantive ownership of a critical policy area,” he said.
Within the party, supporters have largely welcomed the announcement, with many seeing it as an indication that divisions from the presidential race are beginning to ease.
The committees are expected to begin work in the coming days as the NPP intensifies preparations toward the next general election cycle.
