A contender for the New Patriotic Party’s 2028 presidential nomination, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has recounted how he informed former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former Second Lady Samira Bawumia of his decision to contest for NPP flagbearer.
According to him, Samira Bawumia encouraged him to remain aligned with the former Vice President, a suggestion he said he declined.
Dr. Acheampong and Dr. Bawumia, political relationship has shifted to direct competition for the leadership of the New Patriotic Party ahead of the 2028 elections.
Speaking on Metro TV on December 18, 2025, in an interview monitored by NewsDesksGH, Dr. Acheampong explained that his decision was informed by what he described as deep-rooted structural challenges surrounding Dr. Bawumia’s candidature.
Hé referenced a circulating tape involving Musa Danquah, he said the concerns were not new.
“Musa Danquah tried to describe it. That there are some structural problems with the candidature of Mahamudu Bawumia, and he will do the NPP a lot of good if he does not contest in future.”
“Those structural challenges, in addition to what even he Musa Danquah doesn’t know, are the ones that I compiled and reached out to the candidate and said ‘look, we will have challenges if we continue like this and therefore if you consider the interests of the party and now out that will be great’.”
Dr. Acheampong further cited internal divisions within the party as a major worry.
“Then also, the perceived division, the rank and file of the supporters of himself and Kennedy Agyapong that was emerging was something that we could not deal with fully in 2023.”
He said these divisions persisted even after the elections, particularly during post-election tours across the country.
“It became clear to me that it was going to take us into 2028 and will not give us the opportunity or a chance at winning that election.”
Dr. Acheampong disclosed that much of the discussion around withdrawing his support from Dr. Bawumia was held with former Second Lady Samira Bawumia.
“We had this discussion, I also met with the wife who encouraged me to stay on board. I said we have an election to win. The NPP is in to win power and we have to do everything possible.”
He stressed that his decision was purely strategic and not personal.
“Nothing emotional, nothing personal. We exist to win power and that is what we have to prosecute at all times.”
Providing further details, Dr. Acheampong said he personally initiated the meeting with Mrs. Bawumia.
“I’m the one that went to her house. We sat down, had a conversation. The husband had travelled out of town and we promised to meet again when he returned but there was no such opportunity.”
He added that although he later met Dr. Bawumia, a follow-up discussion never materialised.
“I met the husband and we agreed to meet subsequently but that opportunity did not come. That’s really how it ended.”
Despite the political divergence, Dr. Acheampong noted they continue to talk.
