John Boadu Calls for Data-Driven Strategy and Targeted Candidate Selection Ahead of 2028 Elections

At the NPP UK Branch Communications Forum held on Wednesday, 29th October 2025, John Boadu, former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), delivered an insightful and data-rich address that urged the party to return to evidence-based strategy, smart candidate selection, and grassroots digitalisation as it prepares for the 2028 elections.

With decades of experience in party organisation and election management, Boadu offered a sober reflection on lessons from past elections and a roadmap for the future, blending analytical precision with practical political wisdom.

*Lessons from the Past*

John Boadu began his presentation by revisiting the 2016 general elections, identifying key reasons behind the NDC’s defeat — including poor economic conditions, widespread perceptions of corruption, weak internal organisation, and a loss of public confidence.

He stressed that these lessons should serve as strategic reminders rather than sources of complacency. “Elections are won with deliberate planning, not nostalgia,” he said. “The factors that made us win in 2016 are not automatically repeatable. The voter landscape has evolved.”

Boadu underscored that research-based messaging must guide the party’s communication, noting that rhetoric and campaign tone should be managed carefully to align with voter priorities and perceptions.

*Focus on the Polling Station Level*

Highlighting the polling station as the critical level of party strength, Boadu argued that the selection and election process at that level is often neglected — yet it is where the real electoral battles are won or lost.

He called for increased investment of time, training, and digitalisation in the management of polling station activities. According to him, efficient data handling and technology-driven processes could greatly enhance transparency, speed, and confidence in the party’s internal and external elections.

*Parliamentary Elections and Candidate Strategy*

Turning to parliamentary elections, Boadu described them as the “most critical determinant” of the NPP’s national performance, noting that the quality of parliamentary candidates directly affects presidential election outcomes.

He shared revealing statistics:

• The NPP currently holds 87 seats in Parliament.

• There are four regions where the party holds no seats — Upper West, Upper East, Volta, and Oti.

• There are five other regions with only one NPP seat each — Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah, and Western North.

From a possible 98 seats in these nine regions, the party holds only five. Boadu described this as “a strategic red zone” requiring deliberate planning and local intelligence.

*Selection and Over-Democratisation*

John Boadu questioned whether the NPP’s open selection processes for parliamentary candidates may have become “over-democratised” to the party’s detriment. “Opening up all seats for contest has brought negative results,” he said. “We lost seats we had never lost before — and in some cases by very wide margins.”

He suggested a balanced approach to internal democracy — one that respects participation but also ensures the protection of strategically important incumbents and the intentional selection of winnable candidates.

Boadu emphasised that when the party is in government, it must use the leverage of incumbency responsibly to secure electoral advantage through effective candidate vetting and positioning.

*The Data and Demography Imperative*

He urged the NPP to consider tribal balance, demographic factors, gender representation, winnability, and disability inclusion in its candidate selection. Each constituency, he said, has its own political DNA, and strategies must be tailored accordingly.

To complement this, Boadu called for a targeted messaging approach — one that is sharp, evidence-based, and reflective of the realities and aspirations of local communities.

*Two Urgent Specific Committees for the Current Times*

Looking beyond elections, John Boadu proposed the establishment of two urgent committees specifically to support and counter the NDC government ‘s persecution of NPP affiliated members;

1. Legal Committee – to support members facing what he described as “political hunts” by the NDC.

2. Communications Committee – to coordinate responses and narratives to opposition attacks in the media and public discourse.

He also emphasised the need to mobilise the youth through social media engagement, not just as commentators but as active defenders and ambassadors of the NPP’s message.

*Strategic Reflection for the Future*

John Boadu’s message was clear: the NPP cannot afford business as usual. The road to 2028 requires precision, organisation, and unity of purpose.

“We must be intentional about who we select, how we campaign, and how we speak to the Ghanaian voter,” he concluded. “Winning elections is science, not luck — and the time to plan is now.”

*Communications Directorate, NPP UK*

*Communications@nppuk.org*