The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential nomination, according to the party’s executives is due November this year. In all, some nine aspirants have declared intention of contesting the NPP presidential primary. They include Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, Vice President Dr. Mahmudu Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Kwabena Adjei Agyepong and Joseph Ghartey.
The others are Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Addae Nimoh, Dr. Akoto Afriyie and Boakye Agyarko. Before the congress, the stated number will be pruned down to possibly, seven. That implies two of the aforementioned will be thrown out by a Super Delegates Congress that will precede the party’s presidential contest. The NPP decided to have a maximum of seven presidential aspirants after some 17 candidates contested the party’s presidential primary in 2008.
It’s the believe of many political purists that the contest left in its wake many divisions after the primary, which ultimately contributed to the defeat of the NPP in the 2008 General Elections. Out of the nine candidates vying for the sole slot, the political permutation suggests that Alan Kyerematen, Dr. Mahmudu Bawumia and Ken Agyapong will easily make it into to the “Qualified 7” bracket.
The run-up to the NPP primary gives a clear indication how the NPP is running on three idealistic prepositions. These are the conservatives; the new order and the radical movement. Alan Kyerematen represents the first of the three stated orders; Vice President Bawumia running axis of the new order with Kennedy Agyapong revolving on the youth-induced radicalism. Which one of the three orders will prevail when the party goes to congress to elect a nominee for the 2024 presidential elections? Historically, the NPP had a run-in on conservative orientation.
It’s more of rewarding the oldest or the longest serving member of the NPP tradition that traces its roots from the United Party (UP) of the late 1950’s. It’s based on that structured character of the party that Prof Albert Adu Boahen picked the NPP presidential ticket for the 1992 General Elections; John Agyekum Kufuor won the party’s presidential candidacy relying on same; with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo also being rewarded for his meritorious and dedicated service to the cause of the NPP in the 2008, ’12 and ’16 presidential elections.
Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen
From pieces being gathered, it does seem former Trade Minister, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen is the favourite candidate operating on the conservative order in the NPP. His supporters constantly remind party delegates on the need to follow the long cherished tradition that has won the NPP two presidents, since the inception of the 4th Republic. Thus the loudest and the battle-cry of Alan’s supporters have been “adro Alan so” to wit, it’s time for Alan Kyerematen to lead the NPP going into the 2024 elections.
Many Alan supporters believe, although Alan’s was better placed to dispose Nana Addo at least, in one of his three presidential contests with the current President, he lost out mainly because delegates stuck with the known conservative order in the party. Indeed, right after President Kufuor had left the scene, the overwhelming chorus in the NPP was “adro Nana so”; meaning it’s Nana Addo’s turn. Alan’s supporters seem to be reminding voters in the NPP presidential race to see Alan in same light as they did for Akufo Addo.
Vice President Mahmudu Bawumia
If it’s about relying on the old orientation of the NPP, then perhaps, Vice President Mahmudu Bawumia would not have a chance in the NPP’s presidential race. Almost all contesting candidates fit the conservative bill more than the Vice President. However, with the backing of the establishment, a new order is being created for Dr. Bawumia to run on that axis. It’s more of following or continuing with the legacy of his boss and the President of the Republic, Nana Akufo Addo.
It’s therefore, not surprising that many serving ministers of the current administration support the candidature of the Vice President. In fact, the Majority Leader and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, was first to test the waters with the Bawunia candidature. He claimed in one of his interviews that after an Akan President—Nana Akufo Addo, it would be politically suicidal for the NPP to pick another person from the Akan ethnic group to lead the NPP heading into the 2024 elections. His comments were corroborated by then NPP chairman, Freddie Blay.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the Assin Central MP, has introduced a radical element in the NPP presidential elections and that seems to have galvanized many youth of the party to support his presidential bid. It’s one preposition that presupposes that it’s about time Ghana did things differently. He has given the clearest intentions on how he could deal with his party people who would be found culpable in any act of malfeasance.
Hon. Kennedy Agyapong has also promised to ensure that Ministers of State and other state officials are committed to special code of ethics in the performance of their official duties. He did not mince words about his determination to storm the offices of public officials unannounced with those reporting for office late getting summary dismissal. Whether that can be possible in the face of the law, Ken Agyapong seems to be speaking the minds of many youths who constitute the largest chunk of his support base. Which one of the three orders will NPP delegates accept as the best for the party and by extension, the larger Ghanaian society?
