Nii Ayikoi Otoo, a national chairman aspirant of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has withdrawn from the contest with barely two weeks to the polls.
Three prospective aspirants – Dr. Kwame Afriyie – aspirant for national organiser, Akosua Serwaa Bonsu – aspirant for national women’s organiser and Tumfuor Klinsman Karikari – aspirant for national youth organiser have also withdrawn from the race.
Addressing a news conference in Accra on Wednesday (6 July), chairman of the NPP national elections committee, Peter Mac Manu said, “As a result of the diligence of the national election committee and the preparedness of the prospective aspirants, no appeals against the nomination of any prospective aspirant were recorded.
He said the national appeals committee, headed by Dan Botwe, had scheduled 24 to 25 June for the hearing of appeals, adding that “in effect, there were no appeals.”
“Honourable Ayikoi Otoo who was vying for the national chairmanship position of the party has, however, since withdrawn from the race. So after vetting, he has withdrawn from the race,” Mac Manu said.
Forty-seven aspirants have been approved by the elections committee of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to contest for national executive positions from 15.
In all, ten positions are up for grabs – the national chairmanship, first, second and third vice-chairs, general secretary, national organiser, national youth organiser, national treasurer, national women’s organiser and national Nasara co-ordinator.
After four days of vetting, the elections committee of the NPP, made up of Peter Mac Manu (chairman), Oboshie Sai-Coffie, Amin Anta, Ambassador Edward Boateng, Gary Nimako, Ing Kwesi Abease, Mawusi Nudekor Awity, Evans Nimako, Alhaji Bismi Hussain, Dr Kwaku Agyeman-Budu, Eric Ntori and Emmanuel Darkwa, approved 47 candidates for the various positions.
Disqualified or aggrieved aspirants/members of the party may petition the six-member national appeals committee, chaired by Dan Botwe, for redress from Friday 24 to Saturday 25 June 2022.
Decisions by the national appeals committee shall be communicated on Sunday 26 June 2022 to all appellants and the committee’s decision will be final and binding.
The NPP national executive elections are fixed for Saturday 16 July, during the three-day national delegates’ conference of the party scheduled to take place at the Ohene Gyan Sports Stadium in Accra. The breakdown of the pass list of aspirants is as follows:
For the national chairmanship position, the number of approved contestants is eight. They are Joseph Ayikoi Otoo, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, George Kwabena Abankwa-Yeboah, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi, Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Gifty Ama Asantewa Ayeh and Sammy Crabbe.
Ten people will contest for the positions of first, second and third national vice-chair. They include Rita Talata Asobayire, Emmanuel Ken-Wuud Nuworsu, Kiston Akomeng Kissi, Derek Kwaku Nkansah and Michael Omari Wadie.
The five other candidates are McJewels J Annan, Ismael Yahuza, Danquah Smith Buttey, Edmond Peprah and Alhaji Masawudu Osman.
John Boadu, Justin Kodua Frimpong, Iddrisu Musah, Frederick Opare-Ansah, Charles Bissue and Ramseyer Ahmed Agyeman-Prempeh are the six men who will stand for the position of NPP general secretary.
Two ladies – Ellen Ama Daaku and Hajia Sawudatu Saeed – will come up against Kate Gyamfua, the incumbent, for the position of national women’s organiser.
Henry Nana Boakye, the current national youth organiser of the NPP, will face off with five other candidates for the national organiser slot. The other aspirants are Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, Eric Amoako Twum, Bright Essilfie-Kumi and Seth Adu-Adjei.
Abanga Fusani Yakubu, Salam Mohammed Mustapha, Prince Kamal Gumah and Michael Osei Boateng are the four aspirants approved to stand for national youth organiser.
Seven contestants will fight for the position of national Nasara co-ordinator. They are Abdul Aziz Haruna Futa, Issaka Muaza Kunata, Awal Mohammed, Sulemana Alhassan Atakpo, Abdul Rahman Diallo, Haruna Ismael and Haruna Maiga.
The last position – national treasurer – has four names on the approved list. They are Dr Charles Dwamena, Collins Nuamah, Yussif Tedam and Eileen Mary Posch Oduro.