Ghana’s Opposition Party Presidential Candidate Race: Ex-MP Leads Former Vice President

A former Ghanaian Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has taken an early lead in Ghana’s main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate race.

A survey by Sanity Africa, a Civil society organization shows that Mr. Agyepong was leading the race 51.4% of delegate support.

NPP will hold its presidential primaries on January 31, 2026.

The research, conducted between April and June 2025, gauged the voting intentions of delegates listed in the NPP’s current voter album. Former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, trails with 42.2%, while Dr Bryan Acheampong and Dr Osei Yaw Adutwum recorded 3.1% and 3.0% respectively.

Sanity Africa noted that this study forms the first phase of a three-part project to monitor delegate preferences leading into the NPP’s presidential primaries. The remaining phases are scheduled for October 2025 and January 2026.

Ken Agyapong outpaces rivals across key demographics

The survey reveals that Agyapong enjoys strong backing across several critical voter groups within the party. He is especially popular among women (57.8%), youth under 40 years (63%), students (58.9%), the unemployed (52.8%), and self-employed individuals, including traders, artisans, farmers, and market women (55.5%).

Regionally, Agyapong leads in 10 of the 16 regions, with overwhelming support in the Central Region (68.1%), Western Region (59.5%), and Eastern Region (60.8%).

Meanwhile, Dr Bawumia maintains a narrow lead among male delegates (48.9%), older members of the party (aged 40 and above), and those in full-time employment (53.8%). He is also the preferred choice among Muslim delegates, commanding 52.8% of their support.

Religion and age key determinants of delegate preferences

Religion was cited as a major influencing factor in delegate choices. While Dr Bawumia remains dominant among Muslim delegates, Ken Agyapong is the overwhelming favourite among Christian delegates, with 61.6% support. Interestingly, he also leads among delegates who identify as atheists or traditionalists, with 55.1%.

The findings also pointed to a generational divide in candidate preference. Dr Bawumia attracts more support from older delegates, while Agyapong dominates among younger members and those outside the formal employment sector.

Tight races in swing regions

Dr Bawumia holds a lead in six regions, including the Northern (50.8%), North East (51.6%), and Upper West (61.5%) regions. However, the report suggests that Agyapong’s broader appeal and grassroots traction give him a significant advantage at this stage of the race.

In regions such as Savannah and Upper East, the contest remains extremely close, with no clear frontrunner.

Survey cautions on shifting dynamics

Sanity Africa emphasised that while these initial findings offer a critical snapshot of current trends, delegate sentiments may evolve as the campaigns progress and the party updates its voter album.

“The report offers a crucial starting point for tracking movements and understanding what drives delegate behaviour,” the group noted.

It added that future survey phases would incorporate additional delegate groups, including former appointees and ex-party executives, whose inclusion could significantly alter the race’s trajectory.

Source: Africa Publicity