All eyes is on the ruling the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as it elects elect five presidential aspirants to contest the party’s primaries in November this year.
The 10 aspirants are:Alan Kyerematen, former Trade Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Former Agriculture Minister, Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, Joe Ghartey, former Railways Minister, Kwabena Agyei and Agyepong, former party General Secretary.
The others are Kwadwo Poku, an energy expert; Boakye Agyarko, former Energy Minister; Kofi Konadu Apraku, former Trade Minister; Francis Addai Nimoh, former Member of Parliament for Mampong. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President
The election will be held nationwide with some 900 delegates taking part.
The five aspirants who secure the highest number of votes will go on to contest the party’s primaries in November, where they will compete to become the NPP’s flagbearer for the 2024 general election.
The NPP is currently in power in Ghana, and the winner of the primaries will be the favourite to succeed President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is constitutionally ineligible to run for a third term.
The contest is anticipated to be keenly contested, with Alan Kyerematen and Dr. Bawumia considered the leading contenders. Yet, it’s noteworthy that Kennedy Agyapong has been garnering momentum in recent weeks, potentially emerging as a surprise candidate in the race.
The forthcoming election serves as a litmus test for the NPP, as the outcome will shape the party’s prospects in the 2024 general election.
The party will need to choose a candidate who can unite the party and appeal to a broad range of voters.