Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party NPP, has expressed concern that Ghana’s politics and democratic governance have failed to generate sufficient hope for citizens, particularly the youth, despite decades of constitutional rule. His comments reflect a broader national debate about whether democratic stability has translated into tangible improvements in the everyday lives of Ghanaians.

Speaking on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, during the presentation of his six pillar policy vision ahead of the NPP presidential primaries, the former General Secretary of the party said the promise of democracy has not yielded the dividends many citizens anticipated. He argued that while Ghana often records favourable macroeconomic indicators, the lived realities of many people especially unemployed graduates and young professionals tell a far more troubling story.

According to Mr Agyepong, the frustration of the youth, persistent unemployment and widening inequality expose structural weaknesses in governance and public administration. He noted that challenges in education, healthcare delivery, infrastructure development and institutional efficiency continue to limit opportunities for large sections of the population. These shortcomings, he said, have contributed to unacceptable levels of poverty and diminished public confidence in the political system.

He further described illegal mining popularly known as galamsey as an existential threat to the country, stressing that only decisive and courageous leadership can address its environmental and economic consequences. In his assessment, Ghana has reached a point where honest reflection is required to determine whether the country’s democratic journey has met the aspirations set at independence.

“In nearly seven decades of self rule, we must ask ourselves a painful but necessary question is this it” Mr Agyepong remarked, adding that democracy while valuable must ultimately deliver hope opportunity and dignity to the people it serves.

Mr Agyepong’s remarks come at a critical moment for the New Patriotic Party as it prepares to elect a presidential candidate for the 2028 general election. The party’s presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, 2026 are expected to be closely contested, reflecting deep internal discussions about leadership direction economic recovery and party renewal following recent electoral setbacks.

Five candidates have been cleared to contest the primary. They include former Assin Central Member of Parliament Ken Ohene Agyapong who occupies the first position on the ballot paper former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr Bryan Acheampong in the second position former Vice President and the party’s 2024 flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia placed third former Minister for Education Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum in the fourth position and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong himself occupying the fifth position.

The ballot order was determined through a formal balloting process conducted by the party at its national headquarters in line with internal electoral regulations. Political analysts describe the contest as one of the most competitive in the party’s recent history with each aspirant offering a distinct vision for the party’s future and Ghana’s governance trajectory.

As the primaries approach the outcome is expected to shape the NPP’s ideological direction campaign strategy and public messaging ahead of the next general election. For Mr Agyepong his campaign theme of restoring hope seeks to resonate not only with party delegates but also with a wider electorate increasingly demanding results driven leadership and meaningful democratic dividends.