By Yaw Obeng Manu
All eyes is on the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) as it prepares itself to take its biggest political decision ever as it elects a flagbearer to lead the party in the next presidential elections.
The 2024 election presents itself as a defining political agenda for the two main political parties in Ghana- NPP and the NDC (National Democratic Congress), especially so for the NPP.
The battle lines for the search for a presidential candidate for the NPP appear already drawn as the incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo cannot seek re-election per the current Constitutional arrangement.
The Ultimate Choice
This is why Dr. Bawumia towers above all the names that has emerged in the race.
Having been assisted by the venerable Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as the Vice President of the Republic, it follows in the fitness of things for the party ‘kingmakers’ to anoint Dr. Bawumia succeeded his ‘Master’.
There is no doubt that the contest to elect a flagbearer for the NPP leading to the 2024 election will be one of the most challenging and interesting contests in view of the names that have so far emerged for consideration.
The Vice President, a Muslim from the Northern Region has proved beyond all reasonable doubts that he possesses the competence for the leadership of the party.
Dr. Bawumia has become a household name in Ghana, and he has successfully become a selling brand for all socio-cultural groups in the country.
The performance of the NPP in the Northern Regions of the country which has significantly improved since 2008 is largely attributed to the presence of Dr. Bawumia on the ticket of the party.
The dominance of the opposition NDC in the Northern Regions is on the decline and if the Vice president is elected as a Candidate, it will certainly be in their greatest interest towards winning a third term
His coming into the political scene has presented the NPP with much hope and competence to deliver on its mandate and this has found expression in many of the successes that Akufo-Addo’s government has chalked.
The NPP will have a lesser task in marketing such an astute accomplished contender within the race and with his rich experience in countering the opposition in the most critical times of our political era.
Dr. Bawumia has a better and more likely chance of winning the 2024 Presidential elections than any of the nine candidates campaigning to lead
Known Candidate
The NPP cannot afford to present a candidate less known to the Ghanaian youth especially one who does not have the competence as exhibited by Dr. Bawumia in the present Akufo-Addo administration.
The NPP, coming from a formidable tradition of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo fraternity, has a decision to make on whether or not the Dombos who have ‘traditionally’ occupied the Vice Presidential position since 1992 would have the opportunity this time to lead the party into the elections in 2024.
Dr. Bawumia, coming from the Northern Region, and thus a Dombo fraternity member has undoubtedly proven to be the most competent Vice President in the 4th Republic with his Economic and digital expertise which he has used successfully to change the Ghanaian political climate into one devoid of character assassinations to one that is data-driven and issues based.
Dispel Akanist Notion
From this point of view, the NPP is presented with the most viable opportunity to understand the need for the party to clear itself from the notion of Akan dominance within the leadership of the party.
Dr. Bawumia deserves the reward of his loyalty to the NPP and to the President, Akufo-Addo.
He has demonstrated over the years even in time of opposition that he could be relied upon at all times. Never has he offered to leave the party even in its most critical moment either in opposition or in government.
Breaking the 8 Reality
Dr. Bawumia comes as a competent, trusted and reliable candidate leading into the contest for the flag-bearer ship of the NPP and as someone who has committed himself to the NPP breaking the eight (8) Mantra.
Meanwhile the National Chairman of NPP, Stephen Ntim says the party is currently engaging stakeholders and would very soon come out with a timetable for the conduct of the Party’s parliamentary and presidential primaries.
According to him, at the party’s last Steering Committee, National Executive Committee and National Council meetings held on 2nd February, 2023, it was resolved that due to the importance of this exercise on the party’s electoral fortunes in 2024, there was the need for the party to build consensus among all relevant stakeholders before deciding on timelines for the conduct of the primaries
“At the right time when a broader stakeholder consultation is done and this decision is eventually taken, the Party would issue appropriate rules and regulations to govern the conductof these primaries,” Chairman Ntim said while addressing a retreat organized by the GreaterAccra Regional NPP Councilof Elders at Peduase.