The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to sign a peace pact with all presidential aspirants on Thursday, 22 January, in a bid to avert violence and internal divisions ahead of its flagbearer election. Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday, 17 January, Isaac Yaw Boamah-Nyarko, MP for Effia and a member of the NPP’s presidential election committee, explained that the agreement—endorsed by former party presidents and the National Peace Council—will bind aspirants to a peaceful campaign and acceptance of the election results.
“On Thursday, all aspirants, together with our former presidents and the Peace Council, will sign a pact committing themselves to respect the outcome of the election. The message is clear: whether you win or lose, you have a duty to unite and carry the party forward,” he said.
Boamah-Nyarko emphasised that the initiative is designed to shield the party from factional disputes and potential security challenges that could undermine the credibility of the process, adding that the flagbearer contest will be conducted under strict law enforcement supervision.
Security
He said the Ghana Police Service would have full control of security during the election, warning that vigilantism, intimidation or the use of private security by aspirants would not be tolerated. “No machoism, no bodyguardism will be entertained,” he said, adding that police had been instructed to clamp down on any attempts to disrupt the process. The lawmaker said all aspirants had been briefed on the rules and were participating directly in the management of the process, which he described as transparent and inclusive.
Advice
He called on aspirants to focus their campaigns on policies and proven achievements rather than resorting to personal attacks, cautioning that internal rifts could undermine the party’s strength against the governing National Democratic Congress, which is anticipated to present a new presidential candidate in 2028. “This party has endured more difficult times,” he noted, stressing that unity following the flagbearer election will be essential to rebuilding public trust and positioning the NPP for a comeback to power.
Source: Jonathan Ofori
