'The five NPP presidential aspirants are more competent than John Mahama' – Akonoba

Isaac Asare, popularly known as Akonoba, the Zonal Campaign Coordinator for the Bryan Acheampong Campaign, has asserted that despite the recent challenges confronting the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the party’s aspiring presidential candidates are far more competent and capable than President John Dramani Mahama.

Asare claimed that any of the five aspirants would manage the country more effectively than the individual he described as “incompetent,” who is currently at the helm of affairs.

Appearing on the Frontline programme on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, Akonoba named his preferred candidate, Dr Bryan Acheampong, as the most suitable choice to represent the NPP in the 2028 general election.

Comparing all the aspirants to the current President, Asare maintained that John Dramani Mahama cannot measure up to the five NPP hopefuls.

“Let me state unequivocally that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr Yaw Adutwum, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong and Dr Bryan Acheampong are all qualified, more competent and far better than the current President, John Dramani Mahama.

"Let’s establish that fact today. When you examine the situation critically, you must be truthful and acknowledge that they are all far superior,” he remarked.

He was, however, quick to add that in the selection process to determine the best person to lead the NPP to victory in 2028, Dr Bryan Acheampong represents the most strategic and advantageous choice.

While acknowledging that all five aspirants are qualified to lead the party, Asare cautioned that not all possess the political capacity and broad appeal needed to secure victory for the NPP.

He emphasised that the NPP is currently at a “crossroads” and requires a leader who is a unifier, dedicated and winnable one who can successfully deliver electoral victory for the party.

Describing the party’s 2024 election defeat as “humiliating” and “unprecedented,” Asare said the loss has created widespread disaffection within the NPP.

He told host Kwabena Agyepong that the NPP, which previously enjoyed strong support among university students and the business community, has now lost its appeal in these crucial voter blocs.

“In the history of this country, the NPP has never suffered such a humiliating defeat.

"I choose my words carefully; we have never witnessed this level of loss before.

"Let us also tell Dr Mahamudu Bawumia that when the results are weak, the analysis will expose the underlying issues that caused our defeat.

"Our party is now at the crossroads. The NPP is no longer attractive. Indiscipline was at a record high, and the party has lost its appeal among the youth of Ghana,” he stated.

“Our support base used to come from the business community and university campuses, but today, they have abandoned us. They are now shifting towards the NDC. We also lost miserably in the Zongo communities. Therefore, we need a candidate who can mobilize and win back our core support bases so we can secure victory in 2028.”

He concluded that the ultimate goal of any political party is to win power, adding that not every candidate can achieve that objective.

“Electing Dr Bryan Acheampong as our candidate is a strategic imperative for victory,” he declared.