Former General Secretary John Boadu has emerged as the frontrunner in the race for National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), according to a new survey released today by Prof. Smart Sarpong of Kumasi Technical University.
The Political Environment Assessment Survey 2026, presented with Feedback Africa, also puts incumbent General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong (JFK) and Lawyer Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B) well ahead in their races for General Secretary and National Vice Chairman.
The survey polled 9,882 respondents, made up of 5,276 NPP delegates and 4,606 stakeholders, across 156 constituencies in 14 regions. Fieldwork ran from September 10 to 28, 2026.
Boadu well ahead in chairmanship race
Mr. Boadu is described in the report as the “most likely winner” of the chairmanship contest. He polled 46.5 percent among all respondents, far ahead of his closest challenger, former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko, who recorded 24.8 percent.
Former National Chairman Paul Afoko followed with 9.1 percent, while Sammy Crabbe polled 5.5 percent. Another 14.1 percent of respondents did not disclose their preferred candidate.
Mr. Boadu also led across all three categories of delegates surveyed. He polled 47.9 percent among constituency officers, 41.5 percent among electoral area coordinators and 46.8 percent among polling station executives. Mr. Agyarko’s support among the same groups ranged from 22.5 to 26.2 percent.
Among electoral area coordinators, 18.1 percent were undecided or declined to state a choice. This was the highest undisclosed figure of any delegate group in the chairmanship race.
JFK cruising in General Secretary contest
The General Secretary race produced the widest margin among the three top positions. Justin Kodua Frimpong polled 56.0 percent among all respondents, the report says, and has “secured” the position.
Eugene Boakye Antwi came a distant second with 14.4 percent, narrowly ahead of Sylvester Tetteh on 13.8 percent. Charles Dwamena polled 5.0 percent, and 10.8 percent did not disclose a choice.
Among delegates, Mr. Kodua’s strongest showing was among constituency officers, where he recorded 60.0 percent. He polled 47.3 percent among polling station executives and 39.3 percent among electoral area coordinators.
The electoral area coordinator group was notably more divided. Mr. Boakye Antwi got 19.2 percent there, and 20.2 percent withheld their choice.
Nana B clear favourite as vice chair battle heats up
In the National Vice Chairman race, Nana B polled 41.1 percent among delegates and 37.6 percent among all respondents. The report says this has secured him the first vice chairmanship slot.
The battle for the remaining two slots is expected to be fought mainly among three candidates. Former Information Minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid polled 14.5 percent among all respondents. He was followed by Kojo Fosu Boadu with 10.9 percent and former MP Nana Akomea with 9.1 percent.
Among delegates, the order changes slightly. Mr. Abdul-Hamid polled 14.6 percent, Nana Akomea 11.1 percent and Mr. Fosu Boadu 10.0 percent. About one in ten respondents in both groups did not disclose their choice, which could decide who takes the second and third positions.
The other candidates in the 14-person field each polled under 5 percent. They include Alhaji Masawudu Osman, Samuel Pyne and Richard Ahiagba.
Other races
The survey also covered the other national officer positions:
- Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover leads the National Organizer race with 47.4 percent of all respondents.
- Mavis Hawa Koomson leads for National Women’s Organizer with 50.1 percent.
- The report says the National Youth Organizer and Nasara Coordinator races remain open, with Clement Opoku Gyamfi and Awal Mohammed leading narrowly.
- It found no clear winner yet for National Treasurer.
Prof. Sarpong is Head of Social Science Research at Kumasi Technical University. He cautioned that undisclosed votes, which are large in some races, could still shift the outlook before delegates vote.
