Former President Nana Akufo-Addo has advised flagbearer hopefuls of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to place the collective interest of the party above personal ambition, stressing that the NPP is greater than any individual.
Addressing the peace pact signing ceremony for NPP aspirants ahead of the January 31, 2026 presidential primaries, the former President underscored that the pact was a solemn undertaking, not a routine political exercise.
“This peace pact, this commitment pact, is therefore not a mere ceremony,” Nana Akufo-Addo declared.
He explained that the agreement symbolizes “a solemn covenant, a commitment that ambition will not override fraternity, that competition will not descend into hostility, and that once the ballot has spoken, the party will move forward as one.”
Akufo-Addo reminded aspirants that their behavior during and after the primaries would have lasting implications for both the party and the nation. According to him, “your conduct will shape the moral tone of the NPP and the future of our country,” noting that party members, grassroots supporters, and the youth are keenly observing their actions.
The former President emphasized that internal contests must never erode the party’s collective strength. “Let me be clear. The NPP is bigger than any individual,” he said.
He added that “no ambition, grievance, or faction is greater than the elephant,” the party’s emblem, cautioning that leadership contests must not be allowed to sow division.
Akufo-Addo further stressed that unity is indispensable for electoral victory. “Unity is not optional. Unity is not a slogan. Unity is a strategic necessity for victory,” he said, urging aspirants to ensure the pact is not only signed but genuinely upheld in their conduct.
He also appealed to candidates to run their campaigns with dignity and fairness in the lead-up to the primaries. “Let your campaigns be firm but fair, competitive but respectful,” he urged, adding that the NPP’s tradition rejects “fear, insults, intimidation, and bitterness.”
The former President cautioned against elevating loyalty to individuals above loyalty to the party. “Loyalty to individuals must never supersede loyalty to the party,” he said, stressing that after the primaries, “there must be one party, one direction, one destiny.”
Expressing optimism about the party’s prospects, Akufo-Addo said he believes the NPP remains “the best vehicle with the best ideas for Ghana’s future.” He noted that members have a duty to keep the party “united, disciplined, and worthy of the trust of the Ghanaian people.”
“If we honour our history, respect one another, and put party and country above self, the future of the NPP and of Ghana herself will indeed be bright,” he concluded.
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