On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia paid a surprise visit to Kennedy Agyapong, his main challenger in the NPP flagbearer contest that took place on November 4, 2023.
The pro-government Daily Guide newspaper reported in its November 10, 2023 edition that the visit to the Assin Central MP’s home in Accra was over dinner and “was intended to strengthen the friendship between the two influential personalities as well as promote cooperation for the benefit of the country as the 2024 elections approach.”
Neither the vice president’s camp nor the MP’s camp has released any photos or details of the meeting.
According to the newspaper, the visit was a “strategic political move” and "Dr. Bawumia plans to visit other contestants and opinion leaders in the NPP as he tries to heal wounds and build alliances ahead of the 2024 elections.
“The unexpected visit by Dr. Bawumia to his closest rival in the NPP presidential race showed a strong commitment to unity within the NPP and the wider political scene,” the newspaper said.
Bawumia praised the enormous contribution that Ken has always made to the party at all levels and emphasized that they needed to work together by putting the national interest above personal interests.
“They agreed to bury any differences and work hand in hand to ensure the prosperity and development of Ghana,” the newspaper said.
The last time the two were seen together in public was on November 4 at the official announcement of Bawumia as the winner of the race, an event Ken reportedly attended “reluctantly”.
In the November 4 vote, Dr. Bawumia secured 61.47% of the total votes cast by nearly 200,000 delegates of the NPP to emerge the winner, while Ken Agyapong secured 37.41%.
Speaking at an event to declare the vice president winner on Saturday night, Ken Agyapong pledged to support Dr Bawumia’s campaign for the presidency.
“This is the only thing I’ve been preaching, and I must admit this election is fair and my grassroots have spoken; therefore, I accept the results in good faith," Mr Agyapong said moments after the results were announced.
He pledged his support to the flagbearer-elect to help defeat the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and “break the eight.”
“So, party members we should put everything behind us and let’s unite this party..., I believe we can break the eight and that’s what I’ve been preaching,” he added.