The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana recently marked a significant step in its ideological renewal with the launch of the Patriotic Institute on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. This newly established policy and ideological centre is envisioned as a crucial hub for leadership training, policy development, and strategy ahead of the 2028 general elections, serving as a think tank to deepen understanding of the party’s ideological roots.

During the launch, former President John Agyekum Kufuor delivered a strong appeal for honest introspection and a reconnection with the Ghanaian electorate. He asserted that the NPP’s recent electoral setbacks were not due to a rejection of its philosophy but a growing disconnect with the people. Mr. Kufuor emphasized that the electorate is mature and discerning, urging the party to confront internal divisions and a failure to effectively communicate its ideals. He drew parallels to the 1979 election defeat, attributing past and current difficulties to a lack of unity, increasing individualism, and self-interest. Mr. Kufuor reminded the party of its foundational values rooted in democratic principles, accountability, and service, citing pioneers like Dr. J.B. Danquah, Professor K.A. Busia, and Chief S.D. Dombo. He underscored that principles, not personalities, must lead the party. A critical warning from the former President addressed perceptions of ethnic and religious bias within the NPP. He cautioned against tribal and religious rhetoric in internal campaigns, particularly concerning the selection of a flagbearer, stating such conduct reinforces negative stereotypes and undermines the party's national appeal. Mr. Kufuor stressed that democracy upholds common humanity and selecting a leader should be based on their ability to serve all Ghanaians, not on ethnic or religious affiliation. He further advised against poor campaign messaging and the increasing use of money to influence voters, noting that trust, not cash, earns lasting support. He encouraged the party’s youth to proactively assert themselves rather than waiting for appointments.

Echoing the call for ideological renewal, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Member of Parliament for Effutu and Minority Leader, urged NPP members to remain loyal to party values over personal gain. He presented the Patriotic Institute as a necessary step towards ideological and leadership development grounded in the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition, marking a new chapter for the party’s intellectual life. Mr. Afenyo-Markin shared poignant personal experiences of political discrimination his family endured for supporting the NPP, illustrating the sacrifices made for the collective good. He emphasized that political office should be viewed as a duty rather than a reward, advocating for MPs to deepen their understanding of the party's core values. He also advised the party's youth to question ideas respectfully and refrain from attacking elders on social media, expressing optimism that the institute would help the NPP regroup and refocus after its electoral loss.

Meanwhile, internal tensions within the NPP are escalating as the party prepares for its 2028 presidential primaries, set for January 21, 2026. The party’s leadership has summoned all flagbearer aspirants to a crucial meeting with the Steering Committee and National Council of Elders, scheduled for July 3, 2025. This comes amid a directive ordering aspirants to cease holding meetings with caucuses or associations of current and former executives or government appointees, citing breaches of internal regulations following controversies over reported endorsements. The Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe (Abronye), was also referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for unguarded public statements, highlighting leadership's concern for internal cohesion. The race for the flagbearership is notably intense, with conflicting claims of support. While a coalition of over 200 former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) declared support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a breakaway faction rejected reports of a collective endorsement for him. Similarly, former Western North Regional Minister Joojo Rocky Obeng identified Kennedy Ohene Agyapong as an emerging favorite due to his grassroots appeal. Dr. Bawumia, the NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate, also met with former MMDCEs, reiterating his commitment to fostering a stronger, more united NPP and urging collective effort in rebuilding the party, emphasizing that unity is essential for achieving its goals. These dynamics underscore a critical leadership transition for the NPP, as it navigates between continuity and change in its quest to remain politically relevant.