Former Minister for Tourism and Creative Arts and MP for Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has declared for Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the strongest contender to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2028 general elections.

Speaking in an interview on Adom TV on Wednesday, 18th June, Mr Mercer described Dr Bawumia as a steady and intellectually grounded leader whose consistency and deep understanding of national issues make him the ideal candidate.

“Dr Bawumia’s demeanour and personality haven’t changed, and his knowledge and appreciation of issues also remain solid,” he stated, adding that these attributes are vital for restoring party unity and building public trust.

His endorsement comes as the NPP officially sets 31st January 2026 as the date for its presidential primaries — a decision linked to an internal constitutional review aimed at revamping the party’s electoral strategy following its 2024 defeat.

Mr Mercer revealed that a committee had been tasked to assess the party’s performance in the 2024 elections, with findings helping to shape the road ahead.

“We [NPP] have set up a committee to investigate the reasons for our loss in the 2024 elections, and they have made a determination on the factors that led to our loss,” he said.

While noting that various individuals and decisions contributed to the defeat, he remained confident that presenting a candidate with credibility and vision would give the party the strongest shot at a comeback.

“We have a history and a track record of individuals we have presented in the past… and I think Dr Mahamudu Bawumia stands tall,” Mr Mercer affirmed.