Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, exchanged a light-hearted moment during the final funeral rites of the late Mamponghene and Krontihene of Asanteman, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II.
In a viral clip, shared on X from the event, Dr. Bawumia is heard playfully telling Dr. Bryan Acheampong, “You want to worry me,” hinting at a possible fierce internal contest for the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s flagbearer slot.
Dr. Bawumia, who led the party into the 2024 presidential elections, is widely expected to seek re-election as the NPP’s presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, Bryan Acheampong, the MP for Abetifi, has also indicated an interest in contesting the party’s flagbearership, raising expectations of a competitive race within the NPP.
Also, other notable figures are rumored to be considering bids. These include former MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong—who ran against Bawumia in 2023—and current Minister of Education and MP for Bosomtwe, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.
Meanwhile, former Member of Parliament and former NPP presidential aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong says the party has never made it a practice to reward poor performance with a second shot—particularly in the selection of its presidential candidate.
Speaking at Mampong in the Ashanti Region during a visit to mourn the late Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu, Ken Agyapong told a gathering of party loyalists that the NPP’s electoral history proves ‘performance is non-negotiable.’
“The NPP doesn’t give second chances to candidates who fail to deliver. We didn’t do it for Adu Boahen, and we shouldn’t do it now,” Ken Agyapong declared, taking an indirect jab at former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who led the party in the 2024 general elections but lost to the NDC.
