More than a comeback: Why Kwabena Agyepong still believes in the NPP dream
As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) draws closer to its January 31, 2026, presidential primaries, one contender is drawing renewed interest for both his long political history and his message of renewal is Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.
He is a seasoned party operative, engineer and former General Secretary of the NPP whose journey reflects both resilience and enduring loyalty to his party’s ideals.
Roots and Early Life
Born on March 6, 1962, in Kumasi, Mr. Agyepong carries a personal history marked by national tragedy and private resolve.
His father, Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong, was one of the judges abducted and murdered during the political turmoil of 1982 under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), a loss that shaped his commitment to rule of law and service.
Educated at the Royal International School and later Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
His professional path led him from engineering with the Ghana Highway Authority to co-founding Constro Consult Limited, a consultancy involved in major national infrastructure projects, including work on the Kotoka International Airport runway extension.
Stepping into Politics: The NPP and Beyond
Agyepong’s political engagement dates to the dawn of Ghana’s Fourth Republic in 1992. He cut his teeth as a young activist, presenting the NPP’s broadcasts on national television, campaign work that carried him into roles supporting presidential campaigns from Prof. Albert Adu Boahen (1992) to John Kufuor (1996, 2000).
He also served as Presidential Press Secretary under President Kufuor (2001–2006), adding communications leadership to his technical credentials.
His prominence within the NPP rose steadily, culminating in his overwhelming election as General Secretary of the NPP in April 2014.
However, internal tensions marred his tenure and, by December 2015, he was controversially suspended, a moment he later described as a difficult juncture that nonetheless reinforced his commitment to the party’s core values.
The Presidential Quest: A Third Time Around
Despite past setbacks, Agyepong has remained an active voice in party affairs and national discourse.
In August 2025, he formally submitted his nomination forms to contest the NPP’s 2026 presidential primaries, marking his third bid for the flagbearer position, previously contesting nominations in 2007 and 2023.
His campaign, dubbed the “New Dawn Agenda,” frames his mission as restoring party unity, organisational discipline, strategic development, and national confidence.
The platform emphasises meritocracy, fiscal discipline, youth empowerment, land reform, environmental protection, and support for creative arts and sports. Agyapong often frames his bid as a return to the foundational values of service, integrity and sacrifice that shaped the NPP at its inception.
Speaking at campaign rallies across key regions, he has appealed to delegates as a unifying figure capable of healing internal fractures and attracting former members back to the party fold, including long-standing figures who left to pursue their ambitions.
Unity, Grassroots and National Vision
Agyepong’s political narrative highlights unity and hope. At campaign events, he casts his candidacy as more than a personal bid: it’s a mission to rebuild trust, reconnect with grassroots members, and reposition the NPP as a dominant force in Ghanaian politics.
“The time for renewal is now. The time for hope is now,” he has declared, urging delegates to choose values over vanity and principles over patronage.
Yet, his appeal faces challenges. Some observers and analysts suggest his support could be modest at the polls, underscoring the competitive field of aspirants and the high stakes of internal party dynamics ahead of the 2026 contest.
Personal Life and Public Service
Beyond politics, Agyapong is known for his family life, married to Dr. Lawrencia Agyepong, an academician, with three children and his interests in sports management and national development.
His blend of technical expertise and political experience brings a distinctive voice to the primary race, one that intertwines Ghana’s institutional challenges with a philosophy of disciplined stewardship.
Why It Matters: As delegates prepare to vote on January 31, 2026, Agyepong’s story, a tapestry of resilience, party loyalty, and an engineer’s vision for national renewal, offers NPP members a narrative rooted in Ghana’s political evolution and an aspirational roadmap for its future.
