Former Majority Leader and seasoned New Patriotic Party (NPP) statesman, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has cautioned the party against reducing its presidential primaries to a mere competition of popularity or constitutional eligibility.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, July 21, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasised the need for the NPP to go beyond surface-level considerations in selecting its next presidential candidate.
“This is not just about who qualifies under the Constitution. We are not simply in search of a flagbearer. We need someone who can lead the country as president,” he said.
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The comments come amid growing concern over monetisation within the party’s internal elections. With a partially expanded electoral college, critics argue that the system remains vulnerable to financial influence, allowing well-funded aspirants to sway delegates.
Responding to these concerns, the former Suame MP reiterated the importance of choosing a candidate with the vision and capability to govern, not merely someone who checks eligibility boxes.
“The stakes are far too high for Ghana and the NPP for us to settle for a popularity contest. We must focus on substance, character, and leadership capacity,” he noted.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also drew on the party’s past to underscore his warning. He recalled party elder Kwame Pianim’s 2007 intervention when the NPP saw 17 aspirants vying to succeed then-President John Agyekum Kufuor.
“At that time, Pianim reminded us that we were not just selecting a flagbearer. He said, ‘Any idiot can become a flagbearer.’ The point was clear—we must identify someone who has the qualities of a national leader, not just a party symbol.”
The former Parliamentary Affairs Minister’s remarks will deepen the internal debate within the NPP as it prepares for a critical primary contest ahead of the 2028 general elections, as more continue to call for a more principled, merit-based approach to leadership selection within the party.