A flagbearer hopeful of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has told delegates to opt for bold leadership ahead of the party's primary in January 2026, saying that he would not at any point accept defeat as a presidential candidate in a national election until the last vote is counted and the results officially declared by the Electoral Commission.

Speaking during his Savannah Regional campaign tour, the outspoken politician stressed the need for strong and bold leadership capable of matching the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) at every stage of the electoral process.

“If I were the presidential candidate, I would never accept defeat till the EC [Electoral Commission of Ghana] declared the last vote. We need bold men who can face the NDC head-on, else we will go back into opposition,” he told party supporters.

Even though he did not specifically mention the name of the party's 2024 flagbearer and his current contender, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, observers believe the comment is directed at him since he's on record to have conceded defeat to the NDC's John Mahama in the 2024 election before the official declaration of results.

Ken Agyapong also emphasised his long-standing loyalty and sacrifices for the NPP, insisting that his motivation has always been to protect the party’s interests.

“The way I love NPP, I will never do anything to destroy it. From 1992, no one has sacrificed for NPP more than I have,” he declared, drawing cheers from supporters.

He took a swipe at candidates who, in his view, lack a clear campaign message, arguing that the party needs a strong and fearless leader to secure victory in the next election.

“Anyone who comes with no campaign message but spends all his time talking during his campaign is wasting his time,” he said.

Ken Agyapong is one of the leading contenders in the upcoming NPP flagbearer race scheduled for January 31, 2026.