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The next New Patriotic Party (NPP) leader, if elected in 2024, will be the country’s best chance to continue the recovery and completely get Ghanaians out of the situation, according to President Akufo-Addo, who has claimed that he is the first person to admit that the country is experiencing economic challenges.
Speaking to reporters shortly after voting in the special Electoral College procedure last Saturday (August 26) to choose the NPP’s presidential candidate for 2024, the President emphasized that he was the first to acknowledge how difficult Ghanaians’ economic position has been.
”It is difficult, I am the first to admit, I have said it several times, I am first to admit it. But at the end of the day, when the moment comes, Ghanaians will reflect on the best to get us out of these difficulties and take us to the next stage, that is the New Patriotic Party (NPP)” Akufo-Addo said.
The flagbearership competition was viewed by the President as an essential step in the country’s efforts to find a solution to its current economic problems.
Some are seeing President Akufo-Addo’s statements as a subliminal support of his Vice President, the eminent economist Mahamudu Bawumia, and that he believes he will be highly capable of taking the country to the next level once his own two constitutional terms expire in 2024.
Boakye Agyarko and Francis Addai-Nimoh are tied for first place, hence the NPP has stated that a runoff will be held on September 2 to break the tie and determine the last five candidates.
This comes after they each received nine (9) votes but Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko a presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party, has publicly withdrew from the impending run-off poll to choose the 5th candidate.
After the NPP said that its National Council will set up an electoral college to break the tie between Mr. Agyarko and his rival Francis Addai Nimoh, who finished tied for fifth place in the recently concluded super delegate conference, Mr. Agyarko announced his retirement.
Mr. Ayarko claimed in a press release that it was unlawful for the National Council to choose just a few people to represent the 955 participants in the first round.
Mr. Agyarko claimed that the creation of an electoral college violates the party’s constitution in addition to other legal violations.
“It is totally unacceptable to me that such an unconstitutional act can be perpetuated on the altar of expediency. Am I to surmise that the party did not know the cost implication? It is unconscionable that the rules of the game will be changed midstream.
“Rules and regulations that are flip-flopped in such a manner is only detrimental to fair play and justice. It is a clear violation of the party’s constitution and the guidelines for the Special Electoral College. It is an unconstitutional act which | cannot allow myself to be associated with,” portions of his statement read.
Prior to the final vote on November 4, 2023, the Special Delegates Conference was intended to reduce the field of candidates to five. However, both candidates received nine votes, tying them for fifth place.
At the New Patriotic Party’s Super Delegates Congress, vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia won with 629 votes, or 68.15% of the vote.
After the results from 16 of the country’s 17 voting locations were totaled, Kennedy Agyapong, a member of parliament for Assin Central, came in second with 14.15% of the total votes cast. 67.10% of the votes cast went to the vice president.
Former Trades Minister Alan Kyerematen came in third with 10.85% of the vote, and former Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto came in fourth.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
