NPP Race 2026: John Boadu, JFK, Hawa Koomson Lead Early Frontrunner Poll
The race for the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) national executive positions is heating up, and a new nationwide poll reveals some clear frontrunners. Former General Secretary John Boadu, incumbent General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong (JFK), and former MP Mavis Hawa Koomson have all emerged as early leaders, according to a report by Africa Policy Lens (APL).
This is exciting news for party faithful and observers alike. The poll, conducted from July 13 to August 21, 2026, reached 976 constituency and regional executives with voting mandates, representing about 20% of the total delegate population. The APL emphasized that this was a census-based attempt to contact all eligible executives, not a probability sample, giving us a fascinating snapshot of where things stand.
Chairman Race: John Boadu Leads but the Contest is Far from Over
For the coveted National Chairman position, John Boadu is setting the pace with 38.6% support (377 of 976 respondents). Among those who named a candidate, his share jumps to an impressive 65.0%. His closest rival is Boakye Agyarko with 20.7%, followed by Paul Afoko at 5.9%, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) at 3.2%, and Sammy Crabbe at 0.8%. A significant 30.7% of respondents remain undecided.
Notably, the report confirmed that Chairman Wontumi has dropped out of the race. Despite Boadu's lead, the APL describes the Chairman's race as remains open, with a 17.9 percentage point gap between the top two contenders. This is one to watch closely.
General Secretary: JFK Consolidates a Commanding Lead
Incumbent General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong (JFK) is in a strong position, holding a commanding 61.4% support (599 respondents), and an eye-watering 84.1% among decided voters. The competition is far behind, with Sylvester Tetteh at 7.5%, Charles Dwamena at 2.2%, and Eugene Boakye Antwi at 1.9%. A quarter of respondents (27.0%) are still undecided.
Interestingly, JFK's support shows strong regional variation, ranging from 12.2% in Volta to a staggering 94.2% in Central. This demonstrates both his strengths and the areas where he needs to shore up support.
Women's Organizer: Hawa Koomson Dominates
In the race for National Women's Organizer, a poll of 117 female respondents shows Mavis Hawa Koomson leading decisively with 47.9% (56 votes) and an impressive 77.8% among decided women. She is followed by Safia Mohammed at 11.1% and Perpetual Ekua Lomokie Akwada at 2.6%, who the report says has also dropped out. A substantial 38.5% of women are still undecided, leaving room for movement.
Other Key Races: Clear Leaders and Open Contests
The poll reveals three distinct patterns: strongly consolidated, competitive, and most open. Here's a breakdown of the other key positions:
Communication Director
Dennis Miracles Aboagye is the standout performer, leading with 76.5% overall and a phenomenal 98.5% among decided delegates. This is the highest lead in the entire poll, showing a party that is very clear on who they want for this role.
National Organizer
Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover leads with 49.1% overall and 74.4% among decided voters. His support ranges from 9.7% in Bono to a strong 94.1% in Savannah, indicating significant regional pockets of strength.
Vice Chairperson
This is a tight race. Nana Akomea leads narrowly with 21.5% (210 votes), just ahead of Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B) at 19.9% (194 votes). With 36.2% saying they don't know, and a gap of only 1.6 percentage points, this contest is genuinely fluid.
Treasurer
Alfred Kojo Thompson leads with 20.1%, narrowly ahead of Collins Nuntwiri Nuamah at 17.3%. However, a huge 50.4% of respondents are undecided, making this one of the most open races on the ballot.
Youth Organizer
Among 279 youth delegates aged 18-39, Abanga Fuseini Yakubu leads with 32.6%, followed by Clement Opoku Gyamfi (CID) at 22.9%. A significant 36.6% are still undecided.
Nasara Organizer: The Most Competitive Contest
The APL reports that the Nasara Organizer race is one of the most competitive. Awal Mohammed leads with just 16.46%, but a massive 58.1% of respondents, the highest don't know in the poll, have not named a candidate. This one is wide open.
What Does This Mean for the NPP's Future?
The APL report concludes that while the Communication, General Secretary, and Organizer roles have consolidated around clear frontrunners, the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Nasara contests remain genuinely competitive and fluid. This is a dynamic moment for the party, and the decisions made in the coming weeks will shape its direction. For business and innovation watchers, a stable and effective party leadership is crucial for Ghana's continued economic growth and international openness. The NPP's internal democracy is on full display, and the outcome will be pivotal for the party's strategy moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the NPP National Chairman race?
According to the APL poll, John Boadu leads the National Chairman race with 38.6% support overall, and 65.0% among decided voters. Boakye Agyarko is his closest contender with 20.7%.
What is Justin Kodua Frimpong's support level for General Secretary?
Justin Kodua Frimpong (JFK) holds a commanding lead with 61.4% support overall, and 84.1% among decided voters, according to the poll.
How many delegates were polled in the APL study?
The APL study reached 976 constituency and regional executives with voting mandates, representing about 20% of the total delegate population.
Which races are considered the most open or competitive?
The report identifies the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Nasara Organizer races as the most competitive and fluid, with high numbers of undecided voters.