J.A Kufuor’s 87th Birthday: Kennedy Agyapong and Bawumia Unite in Celebration
- NPP flagbearer aspirants Kennedy Agyapong and Dr Bawumia attended former President Kufuor's 87th birthday celebration
- Agyapong exchanged warm handshakes with Bawumia and Kwabena Agyapong in a moment that excited netizens
- Their friendly interaction comes amid tensions ahead of the NPP flagbearer elections scheduled for January 31, 2026
- Nabil Abubakar, a member of the Action Movement for Bawumia 2028, shared his views on this in an interview with YEN.com.gh
Flagbearer hopefuls of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) thronged the residence of former Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor to celebrate with him on the occasion of his birth.
The former president, who is arguably the best leader in the history of the NPP, marked his 87th birthday on Monday, December 8, 2025, with a special ceremony attended by his friends, family, and party members.
Source: Facebook
Former President Kufuor served Ghana for eight years between 2001 and 2009, before handing over to the NDC's John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory.
Some of the high-profile guests present at the birthday party included Addo Kufuor, Ghana's former Minister for Defence and a brother of the celebrant, and flagbearer aspirants Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and Kwabena Agyapong.
In a video shared on X by @eddie_wrt, Kennedy Agyapong, upon arrival at the former president's residence, proceeded to exchange warm handshakes with Dr Bawumia and Kwabena Agyei amid laughter before taking his seat.
The NPP flagbearer race heats up
The NPP flagbearer race, scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, has been marred by tensions, accusations, and counter-accusations.
Although five aspirants are contesting the elections, Kennedy Agyapong, a six-term Member of Parliament for Assin Central, and Dr Bawumia, the immediate past Vice President of Ghana, are the frontrunners.
Because of this, supporters of the two candidates have been engaged in serious banter on mainstream and social media, levelling serious allegations against each other.
The exchange of pleasantries by the two aspirants at former President Kufuor's birthday celebration could send a positive signal to their teeming supporters.
NPP activits urges unity after flagbearer race
Reacting to this in an interview with YEN.com.gh, Nabil Abubakar, a member of the NPP, said the strength of the party has always come from their ability to contest fiercely internally but unite strongly afterward.
He added that unity is non-negotiable after the flagbearer race in January 2026.
"The NPP is not built around individuals but around shared values, property-owning democracy, private-sector-led growth, rule of law, and individual liberty," he stated.
"Once a flagbearer emerges, all aspirants must rally behind that person to protect the party’s legacy and present a credible alternative to Ghanaians. Disunity only weakens our message and hands unnecessary advantage to our opponents," he added.
Watch the video below:
Netizens react to Bawumia and Ken's handshake
Netizens who chanced on the video shared by @eddie_wrt took to the comment section to share their views on the exchange of pleasantries between Kennedy Agyapong and Dr Bawumia.
YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the reactions below:
@2xnmore said:
"It’s great seeing this, as many of us grew up without knowing any former heads of state."
@JakeChat222 also said:
"So beautiful. This is how it must be done."
@holy_script62 commented:
"We don’t talk about this enough."
Source: Facebook
John Kufuor explains family relations
In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that former President John Kufuor had made known his relations with the 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) running mate.
In an extended interview with one of Ghana’s favourite media personalities, Delay, John Agyekum Kufuor spoke about facts many may not have known.
He noted that he is directly related to the young and energetic NPP stalwart Mathew Opoku Prempeh, popularly called NAPO.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
