Public perception is the lifeblood of any political party, and recent data suggests the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is facing a severe crisis in this regard. This article examines the party’s image problem, the political track record of former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko, the internal opposition he faces, and the argument that he is uniquely positioned to restore the party’s lost standing.
The NPP’s image crisis is no longer a matter of political gossip; it is a measurable reality. According to the IMANI Africa Pulse Sentiment Analysis for June–July 2025, which examined 4,726 social media posts, only 3.9% of mentions about the NPP reflected positive sentiment, while 12.0% were negative. The analysis identified internal party turmoil, electoral violence, and leadership exclusion as key drivers of this negative perception. The think tank warned that the NPP faces an “unprecedented perception crisis” requiring “immediate strategic intervention.”
This negative sentiment is not limited to the political opposition. It is fueled by internal conflicts, the chaotic scenes during the Ablekuma North by-election, and comments from former President John Agyekum Kufuor alleging marginalisation by the current party leadership. When core supporters and founding figures express frustration, the party’s image suffers a deeper and more structural wound.
Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko (born 1956) is a Ghanaian economist, politician, and former banker who served as Vice President of the Bank of New York before entering Ghanaian politics. A founding member of the NPP in 1992, he has held several key roles, including Chairman of the Danquah-Busia Club of North America and later Minister for Energy under President Nana Akufo-Addo.
His professional background is that of a strategist, not merely a politician. In 2012, he was appointed National Campaign Manager for the party’s presidential election campaign, and during the 2016 election, he served as Policy Adviser to the NPP presidential candidate. His reputation as a political strategist is not self-proclaimed; it was earned through years of organizational and electoral work.
Perhaps the most compelling evidence of Agyarko’s strategic acumen is the anecdote concerning the 2010 NPP presidential primaries. After contesting against Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2007 primary, Agyarko was later appointed Akufo-Addo’s Campaign Manager for the 2010 primaries.
According to accounts widely circulated within party circles, Agyarko reportedly promised Akufo-Addo that he would deliver 70% of the delegates’ vote. He allegedly stated that if he failed, Akufo-Addo should “consider him a failure.” The outcome was emphatic: Akufo-Addo secured a landslide victory while Alan Kyerematen trailed far behind with roughly 19 percent of the vote.
Although the exact wording of the promise is not independently verifiable through public documentation, the historical context confirms the overwhelming nature of Akufo-Addo’s victory. Nearly 113,000 delegates participated in that historic primary, making it one of the largest internal elections in Ghanaian political history. Agyarko’s management of that process reinforced his image as a highly disciplined and effective strategist. His reappointment as Campaign Manager for the 2014 primaries further demonstrated the confidence senior party figures had in his capabilities.
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