Accra: Even before the New Patriotic Party (NPP) holds its crucial polls to elect the presidential flagbearer, intense internal manoeuvring is underway concerning the party's future leadership. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, a key figure in Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia's camp and Member of Parliament for Nsawam/Adoagyiri, is reportedly positioning himself as a candidate for the vice-presidential slot ahead of the 2028 general election.
According to Ghana Web, Annoh-Dompreh's ambitions are tied to the outcome of the flagbearer race. Should Dr Bawumia secure the nomination, Annoh-Dompreh is advocating for a change in the vice-presidential candidate, arguing that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, did not add significant electoral value in the 2024 elections. Annoh-Dompreh, who has been openly critical of NAPO, is touting his own credentials, including his parliamentary seniority, role as Minority Chief Whip, and broad national appeal.
The Nsawam/Adoagyiri MP is leveraging his maternal Ashanti heritage, fluency in Ewe, and his marriage to a northern woman as factors that enhance his appeal as a unifying figure within the opposition party. He reportedly believes that his representation of a constituency in the Eastern Region bolsters his case as the region should be a strong contender for the vice-presidential slot.
Insiders suggest that Annoh-Dompreh has had a strained relationship with Opoku Prempeh, critiquing the latter's selection as a strategic error. Annoh-Dompreh has expressed these views during internal party engagements, emphasizing his status as a fourth-term MP and his effectiveness as Minority Chief Whip.
However, Annoh-Dompreh's ambitions have stirred unease among some Bawumia loyalists, who accuse him of undermining party cohesion. Concerns have been raised about his performance as Minority Chief Whip and his suitability for higher office, with some party figures privately criticizing his political style as overly transactional.
Amid this backdrop, the Eastern Region, home to several high-profile NPP figures, remains a focal point for potential national leadership roles. As the NPP prepares for its flagbearer election, the jostling for the vice-presidential slot highlights the intricate internal dynamics shaping the party's strategy for the 2028 general election.