Political Scientist, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, says competence and a strong understanding of Ghana’s challenges, particularly on the economy, must be the deciding factors in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2026 presidential primaries, not popularity or experience alone.
Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on Tuesday, June 24, Dr. Asah-Asante dismissed arguments that a candidate's longevity or familiarity in the political space gives them an automatic edge.
“You can be an old guy who has contested many times and is well known, but if you are incompetent, you are incompetent,” he stated. “If you don’t have the support of the people, you don’t have them.”
He was responding to the argument made by some within the Bawumia camp that it is easier to market a candidate who has already “tested the waters.”
Dr. Asah-Asante, however, countered that political success is not built on repetition but on relevance, strategy, and credibility.
“What the people want is somebody with the knowledge, with the understanding of the economy and how it works, not any propagandist style of positioning,” he added. “We want people who are the real men and understand the real issues confronting this country.”
He acknowledged that the leading contenders, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Bryan Acheampong, and Dr Yaw Adutwum, all bring unique attributes to the race, but ultimately, it is their grasp of Ghana’s problems and ability to propose credible solutions that will determine who emerges victorious.
Dr. Asah-Asante also stated that records, strategy, and messaging that resonate with the electorate will be the major factors that “separate the chaff from the real input.”
Latest Stories
-
GES reverts to old academic calendar for basic schools
1 minute -
Police reviews operational capacity to combat Cybercrime and emerging security threats
2 hours -
A/R: Police arrest prepaid meter thief in Abuakwa Agogo
2 hours -
Richard Nii Amarh Quaye Foundation to roll out Food Bank Project to support Ghanaians in some underserved communities
3 hours -
Kintampo South MP urges fast-tracking of Startup Bill to tackle irregular migration
3 hours -
Team Ghana set for 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore
4 hours -
Pleasure being a Hammer – Kudus bids farewell to West Ham
4 hours -
Pleasure being a Hammer – Kudus bids farewell to West Ham
4 hours -
Ghana’s Youth Minister joins Mark Cuban at Global Citizen summit in Detroit
4 hours -
Shun electoral violence to safeguard human rights and democracy – Kumawu MP appeals
4 hours -
Shell submits offer to join Ghana’s Pecan Oil Field project – Mahama
5 hours -
Forestry guard’s body discovered in bush after manhunt
6 hours -
Fight against illegal mining: Seven arrested at Abora
6 hours -
Ablekuma North Rerun inflames Ghana’s pervasive electoral violence crisis
6 hours -
Soldier who rejected ‘galamsey’ bribe secures promotion and UN posting
7 hours