Pressure is mounting within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, to lead the party into the 2028 elections as national chairman.

Many NPP supporters across the country believe the party’s poor performance in its final four years in government was due to a lack of strong leadership that could effectively connect the government to the party base.

As the party continues to analyze the reasons behind its 2024 electoral defeat in both the presidential and parliamentary elections, some members have identified Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the former Majority Leader and immediate past Member of Parliament of Suame, as a figure capable of restoring discipline within the party, citing his extensive political experience and national influence.

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu Responds to Calls for Chairmanship

In an exclusive interview with Kumasi-based Abusua 96.5fm political morning show host Kojo Marfo, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu responded to the growing calls for him to contest the chairmanship, stating that he would only accept the position if the party elects him unopposed through consensus, rather than through a nationwide campaign.

“Let me tell you something, I have always insisted that the way we elect political party leaders in this country does not serve our best interests. The major political parties, including the NPP and NDC, are all guilty of this,” he stated.

Citing Article 55, Clause 9 of the national constitution, he explained that a national executive committee member of a political party must be chosen from all regions of Ghana.

“How do you satisfy this constitutional provision if you elect the national executive committee through a competitive campaign? The constitution was careful not to say leaders should be ‘elected’ but rather ‘chosen.’ Election is one way to choose, but it is not the only way. If we build consensus, we are good to go—that is how it should be done,” he emphasised.

Election process breeds corruption

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu further criticised the election-based approach to selecting party executives, arguing that it fuels corruption within political parties.

“I have always disagreed with our system of electing party executives because that is where corruption begins in our politics. If someone from Aflao wants to become the National Chairman, they are expected to campaign across the country at their own expense. Yet, according to the party’s constitution, the National Chairman is not a salaried position. What do you expect them to do when party funds come in? Naturally, they will seek to recover their campaign expenses,” he noted.

He also questioned the integrity of electing a national treasurer through a campaign process.

“Why should a party treasurer, who will be in charge of finances, have to go around campaigning and spending money on delegates? When funds come into the party, do you expect them to simply write off their campaign costs? Who would do that?” he asked.

According to him, corruption in government often starts from the way political parties conduct internal elections.

“If we build consensus and agree that we should select individuals for positions such as national chairman, secretary, treasurer, and organizer ahead of the 2028 elections, I will fully support it,” he stated.

Will Only Accept Chairmanship by Consensus

Clarifying his stance on the calls for him to lead the NPP as National Chairman, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu declared, “If, by consensus, the party selects me, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, as National Chairman, I will accept. But if I have to campaign across the country at my own expense, I will not do it. This style of campaigning is damaging the party. From polling station elections up to the national level, we have normalized a system that fuels corruption. How can we fight corruption in government if we continue to encourage this practice within our own party?” he questioned.

In the meantime, watch the story of the Ghanaian team that rode motorbikes from Accra to Dakar and back in 17 days, below: