It appears the heat is building up in the New Patriotic Party even ahead of the party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries for the next general elections.
Barely a year after the NPP regained power by emerging victorious in the 2020 elections, some names have emerged as potential candidates who will take over from the current flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2024.
Names including those of Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, Vice President, Dr. Afriyie Akoto, Agric Minister, Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen, Former Energy Minister, Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko and Joe Ghartey, Former Railway Development Minister have already emerged in this category.
Among these, some people have already emerged to somewhat confirm their interests, giving reason for why they are more appropriate for the position.
Last week, Dr. Owusu Afriyie, during an interview with Joynews gave hint of his interest in vying to lead the NPP in 2024 as a leading member.
According to him, he would have denied blatantly any suggestions of a possibility, if there was none. Responding to the question of whether or not he was interested in the position, his response was;
“Why shouldn’t I be? I am a member of this party and a very senior member so why shouldn’t I? The destiny of this party should be of great concern to me and for all of us as party members. If I was going to say I was not interested in running for president, I would have said so,” he said.
During the same period, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during a visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, mentioned two of these tipped persons as having expressed interest in the flagbearership position for 2024.
“I am here with the Minister of Transport, Minister for Works and Housing, the National Security Boss, Chairman One Wontumi, the Food and Agriculture Minister, Owusu Afriyie who wants to be president. I also have here with me, someone who has long eyed the presidential seat, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremanten, a very hard-working man. All of them are doing a good job,”
The President however has said that this in no way suggests an endorsement of any candidate as a preferred one.
Speaking to the media on Monday, he said, “I can’t have a favourite to break the 8 for the NPP. My duty is to hold the balance but the decision has to be that of the party and worker the party elects, that person is who I will support and God-willing, if I do have the strength, I will vigorously campaign for the elected individual,” he added.
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