Richard Oti-Aboagye, the man who built the New Patriotic Party's Sweden branch from scratch, wants to be the party's next National First Vice Chairman.
He dropped the news on Ekosiisen on Asempa FM 94.7 with host Osei Bonsu, popularly known as OB, saying his decision followed extensive consultations with party stakeholders across Ghana and the diaspora.
“I make this declaration with humility, conviction, and a clear sense of duty to the Party we all love,” he said.
Oti-Aboagye has been the founding chairman of the NPP Sweden branch since 2016. That's nearly a decade of running one of the party's key diaspora outposts, mobilising support and keeping the connection alive between Ghanaians abroad and the party leadership back home.
Now he wants to bring that experience to the national level. The position of National First Vice Chairman is a top role — the person who steps in when the National Chairman is absent and helps steer the party's organisational machinery.
According to Oti-Aboagye, the message from grassroots members, delegates, elders, and external branches is clear: the NPP must unite, rebuild trust, strengthen its structures, protect member welfare, and prepare decisively for victory in 2028 and beyond.
“Their message is clear. The NPP must unite, rebuild trust, strengthen its structures, protect member welfare, and prepare decisively for victory in 2028 and beyond,” he said during the interview.
He argues that a divided party can't win elections. His campaign is built on three pillars: unity, strength, and renewal.
“Unity, because a divided party cannot win. Strength, because victory requires disciplined, active, and well-resourced structures from the polling station to the national level. Renewal, because the NPP must listen, adapt, energise its grassroots, and renew public confidence in our tradition,” he explained.
Oti-Aboagye believes the party must modernise to attract young people, professionals, students, and first-time voters. His international exposure, he says, puts him in a strong position to contribute to policy discussions, stakeholder engagement, communication strategy, and diaspora relations.
One major focus of his campaign is member welfare — especially for grassroots executives, polling station officers, youth activists, volunteers, and external branch members. He's pushing for stronger welfare systems, better communication channels, capacity-building opportunities, and recognition for hardworking members.
“A strong Party must value and support the people whose sacrifices sustain it,” he said.
The NPP has been in rebuilding mode since losing the 2024 general elections. Oti-Aboagye's entry into the race adds another contender to the conversation about the party's future direction and who will lead its comeback.
He insists his ambition isn't about division or personal gain.
“My vision is not about division or personal ambition. It is about contributing meaningfully towards rebuilding confidence, strengthening structures, empowering members, and positioning the New Patriotic Party for victory in 2028 and beyond,” he said.
Oti-Aboagye is campaigning under the theme “The New” — though full details of his manifesto are expected when nominations officially open.