Founder and President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, says former President Akufo-Addo’s breakfast meeting with the five NPP flagbearer aspirants could potentially impact the party’s prospects in the 2028 general elections.
Mr. Cudjoe opines that the former President’s pitiful performance, which culminated in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) crushing defeat in the December 2024 elections, ought to have served as a cautionary signal for the presidential hopefuls to distance themselves from him.
He contends that the aspirants’ association with Akufo-Addo is likely to have significant repercussions for them, suggesting that this affiliation undermines their credibility as serious presidential contenders.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Cudjoe listed some of the former President’s egregious failures, stressing why the aspirants ought to avoid themselves from him.
“Why would any serious presidential hopeful thinking of breaking with a leadership that failed abysmally, left a junk-rated economy, devoured pensions, looted incalculable amounts, destroyed our environment, ostracised citizens such as SALL and got trashed at the polls still go and take inspiration from the very source?” he queried, expressing bewilderment at the aspirants’ decision.
His comments follow a breakfast meeting between Mr. Akufo-Addo and the five flagbearer aspirants on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at his private residence in Nima, Accra.
The meeting was convened by the former President to foster a spirit of camaraderie and unity ahead of the party’s presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, 2026, and to underscore the critical importance of a cohesive party for the 2028 general elections.
In his remarks, the former President expressed his profound gratitude to the aspirants for taking time out of their busy campaign schedules to break bread with him. He stated that their presence was a testament to their shared commitment to the collective good and future prospects of the NPP.
The former President reminded the gathering that he has worked closely with each aspirant and holds them in high esteem, noting that their candidacies are based on merit and their significant contributions to the party and the nation.
He encouraged them to conduct their campaigns in a healthy, issue-based manner that focuses on presenting their visions to the party delegates.
The former President emphasised that his primary commitment is to the unity of the NPP, the credibility of the process and to working towards a properly energised and rallied party, fully prepared to secure victory in the 2028 elections.
In a significant show of solidarity, each of the five aspirants gave their personal assurance, and that of their campaign teams, to maintain a healthy but competitive campaign atmosphere. Furthermore, they expressed their commitment and that of their supporters, to rally behind the eventual winner and uphold the unity of the party after the primaries.
The former President thanked them for their positive engagement and urged the party leadership to ensure a credible and fair process to facilitate the unity of the party after their flag bearer election.
The five aspirants contesting for the NPP flagbearer slot and present at the meeting were:
1. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia – Former Vice President
2. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong – Former Assin Central MP
3. Dr. Bryan Acheampong – Abetifi MP
4. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum – Bosomtwe MP and former Education Minister
5. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong – Former NPP General Secretary
NPP’s 5 flagbearer aspirants pledge unity at Akufo-Addo’s breakfast meeting
