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Julius Debrah's support declines in NDC flagbearership race, Nketiah maintains lead
via GhanaWeb2 min read
A recent nationwide survey by Africa Policy Lens APL, conducted between June 24 and July 3, 2026, indicates a significant shift in the National Democratic Congress NDC 2028 flagbearership race. Chief of Staff Julius Debrah experienced a substantial drop in support, falling from 30.1% in April to 9.7% in June. Concurrently, National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah consolidated his lead, increasing his support from 31.9% to 33.8%. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu saw the biggest surge, moving from 17.9% to 22.5% and securing second place. Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson also made modest gains, rising from 13.0% to 15.1%. The poll, which surveyed 3,540 Constituency and Branch Executives across all 276 constituencies, suggests the race has evolved from a tight two-person contest to a more defined three-way battle. Delegates prioritize experience, integrity, party unity, and grassroots appeal. APL cautions that the contest remains competitive, with delegate preferences potentially evolving as campaigns intensify. The survey provides a snapshot of grassroots sentiment ahead of the 2027 primary.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadBernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party NPP, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labor. This follows his conviction on all six counts related to alleged illegal mining activities. Chairman Wontumi, along with Akonta Mining Company Limited and Kwame Antwi, faced trial over their involvement in mining operations on the company's concession at Samreboi in the Western Region. The Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, delivered the judgment on July 20, 2026. The prosecution accused the defendants of unlawfully assigning mineral rights and facilitating mining activities without the necessary approvals, violating the Minerals and Mining Act. A video shows Chairman Wontumi being escorted into a prison vehicle after his sentencing.
The New Patriotic Party NPP has accused the Mahama administration of attempting to use the conviction of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, as a political "trophy." In a statement dated July 20, 2026, the NPP argued that Wontumi's conviction should not be celebrated as proof of the government's commitment to fighting illegal mining, claiming that similar allegations involving individuals linked to the governing National Democratic Congress NDC have not received the same attention. The party alleged selective application of justice, questioning why investigations into illegal mining activities involving some NDC officials have not progressed with similar urgency. The NPP stated that the prosecution failed to provide evidence that Wontumi unlawfully assigned or transferred his mineral concession, asserting that the conviction was based on assumptions rather than proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Describing the judgment as a "travesty of justice," the NPP announced that its legal team had begun the process of appealing the High Court鈥檚 decision and reaffirmed its support for Chairman Wontumi, maintaining he was wrongfully convicted and calling him a "political prisoner."
The government has unveiled the Teacher Dabre Initiative, a plan to construct 50,000 housing units nationwide to alleviate accommodation challenges for teachers, particularly those in rural areas. Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced this on July 20, 2026, during the Government Accountability Series. The program will be implemented through a decentralized approach, with the District Assemblies Common Fund leading efforts at regional and district levels. The Ministry of Education will secure additional funding, and the government is considering using pension fund resources under the Ghana Secondary School Pension GSOP as collateral. In addition to housing, the government is finalizing a financial incentive, a 20% allowance, for teachers who accept postings to rural and hard-to-reach areas. These initiatives aim to enhance teachers' working and living conditions and address the challenge of attracting and retaining qualified educators in rural communities, reinforcing the government's commitment to teacher welfare for improved education quality.