MP for Effiduase/Asokore, Dr Ayew Afriye (L) and NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia (R)
The Ashanti Regional anchor of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has attributed the overwhelming support Dr Bawumia received in the region to his competence and the strong confidence delegates have in his ability to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to victory in the 2028 general elections.
Dr Ayew Afriye, who is also the Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore, said the voting pattern decisively debunks claims of ethnocentric bias often advanced by opponents of the NPP.
According to him, the results clearly show that delegates prioritised competence and leadership credentials over tribal considerations.
To support his argument, he noted that two of the contestants, Ing Kwabena Agyepong and Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, are prominent Asantes. Despite this, he stressed that delegates in the Ashanti Region voted overwhelmingly for Dr Bawumia because they believe he possesses the requisite competence and strategic leadership needed to lead the party into the next general elections.
NPP Communications Directorate congratulates Dr Bawumia
Dr Ayew Afriye made these remarks at a post-election press conference in Kumasi, where he also expressed his appreciation to party delegates who turned out in large numbers across polling centres to cast their votes for Dr Bawumia.
He further commended the NPP Presidential Elections Committee for what he described as a yeoman’s job in organising a near-flawless election.
He noted that the process was conducted in a manner that inspired confidence among observers, including the candidates themselves, many of whom have publicly attested to the free, fair, and transparent nature of the exercise.
Dr Ayew Afriye also urged supporters of Dr Bawumia to exercise restraint in their celebrations, emphasising that the contest did not produce winners and losers but rather strengthened the unity of the party.
He finally called on all contestants to remain flexible and committed to the peace and unity-building process that the party’s new flagbearer is expected to lead, as the NPP positions itself ahead of the 2028 general elections.
