The Presidential Contest in the New Patriotic Party

The search has begun. Who will take over as the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) come December, 2024 general elections.

The party intends to break the jinx of the 8 years political cycle.

The New Patriotic Party is a center right party that believes in the rule of law, democracy, private sector development, and development in freedom.

The party that had great brains like Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia, Tolon Naa, Chief Dombo, Professor Albert Adu Boahene, our first chair when the political activities were lifted in 1992/93, a legal luminary, B. J. Da Rocha.

Then we had others like Hon J.H. Mensah, a political stalwart in Ghana’s political culture, President J. A. Kufour, President Nana Akufo-Addo, Hon Hackman Owusu Agyemang, Rt Hon Peter Aladjetey, Rt Hon Begyina Sakyi Hughes, Rt Hon Professor Mike Oquaye, Hon Osafo Maafo, Dan Kwaku Botwe, Isaac Kwame Asiama, Dr Kwame Addo Kufour and other distinguished personalities who have and continue to contribute their quota in the development of the country and the party.

As the party prepares to elect a successor to the current President, Nana Addo, who is barred by the 1992 national Constitution from running after serving a 2, 4 year mandate.

Some great minds and hands are preparing to wear the shoes and carry the flag of the party in the 2024 election.
The party believes in an internal democratic contest. Leaders are elected through a secret ballot process.

This is the principle of Danquah-Busia- Dombo Tradition. Even in 2007, the party had 17 nominees and the principle was not changed.

Currently, there are about eight kingpins of the party who are lacing their boots to lead the elephant family.

So far, those nurturing the ambitions include the sitting Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah, Hon Joe Ghartey, a former Attorney General, former 2nd Deputy Speaker, former Minister of Railway Development, Hon Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Trade Minister, who has once resigned from the party after his defeat to the current President in the hotly contested banter, in 2007, which contributed to the loss of the party in the 2008 general election against our arch opponent, Dr. Owusu Afriyie, Agric Minister, who prides himself as being the son of the famous Re: Akoto, who challenged Nkrumah’s nefarious Preventive Detention Law, Hon Ken Ohene Ayapong, the maverick NPP Member of Parliament for Assin North, Hon Boakye Ayarko, served as Energy Minister and a former Campaign Manager, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, a Commissioner in charge of Macro Stability at the Economic Community of West African States. (ECOWAS). He also served as a Trade Minister and a Minister in charge of Regional Cooperation and Integration, was also a one time Campaign Manager to the current President.

One distinguished member of the Party who has served the party in different portfolios as a Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney General, Trade Minister, Education, and Youth and Sports Minister, and currently the High Commissioner of our country, to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Papa Owusu Ankomah, is another stalwart who is being touted as someone with the right prospect and credentials to also lead the party. He is yet to open up.
Kwabena Agyei Agyampong, one time Press Secretary to President Kufour is also eyeing the slot.

The party has not given the green light for the commencement of the race.
We are all waiting to see the increment or reduction of the number of perceived aspirants or candidates.

The 200,000 polling station executives of our great party will decide the victor.
I believe the following would be considered in making the choice: loyalty, commitment, integrity, leadership, patriotism, nationalism, communication, and other attributes.

The party can break-the-8 if we choose that winnable and marketable candidate.
Ghana should not be given to those who lack the leadership qualities and cannot fashion out even one social policy to salvage the people.

Kufour has bequeathed to us National Health Insurance and Free maternity, Nana Addo is bequeathing to us Free secondary education, planting for food and job, more than 300 ambulances, allowances for teachers and nurses, and other humanistic policies and programs.
Who will win the contest?

Part 2 will answer the question.

By Ahmed Osumanu Halid
Nima 441