Frederick Opare-Ansah, campaign manager for New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on party members to slow down discussions about who should join him on the ticket for the 2028 general elections, describing the conversation as premature and potentially distracting.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Opare-Ansah said the immediate focus for the party should be rebuilding after a bruising political season, not ticket balancing.

“It is way too early to have conversations about a running mate. Our biggest challenge now is to reorganise. We must be patient,” he stated.

He emphasized that any decision on a vice-presidential candidate must be strategic, taking into account the political environment at the time, including the identity and strength of the opposition’s flagbearer.

“We do not even know who the NDC will bring. In choosing a running mate, it is a strategic move. Depending on their candidate, you need to choose from a prime area, otherwise it can affect you,” he explained.

Mr Opare-Ansah also noted that history shows running mates are usually selected much closer to elections, citing former President John Dramani Mahama’s timeline as an example.

“Mahama was elected candidate in May 2023, but he chose his running mate in 2024. Mostly, we elect the running mate in the election year. So nobody should stampede Dr Bawumia and the party into choosing now,” he said.

Beyond ticket considerations, the campaign manager admitted the NPP faces deeper internal challenges that require urgent attention. He observed that the party’s public image has suffered and needs careful repair before any major electoral calculations are made.

“The party is not in good shape. We must put our house in order. Our public image has been eroded. The Danquah–Busia–Kufuor NPP is not the same, and there is a lot that is not going well,” Mr Opare-Ansah remarked.