Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten
Three of the 10 aspirants vying to lead the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general election successfully went through the party’s vetting process yesterday, answering a series of questions.
Former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, energy specialist Kwadwo Poku, and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia all took turns at the vetting, which was conducted at the NPP’s Greater-Accra Regional headquarters at Kokomlemle.
Mr. Kyerematen, who was the first to appear before the Vetting Committee, described the process as “familiar and comfortable” because he competed in previous NPP presidential primaries.
He told journalists after the vetting that “it is not appropriate for us to discuss issues that have been discussed in camera. That has been the tradition and practice of our party.”
Mr. Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku, on the other hand, stated that the vetting processes included document verifications and a question and answer segment, and that “everything went well.”
According to him, he gave adequate responses to the committee members, expecting to be one of the final five people that will be chosen at the Special Delegates’ Congress.
He said that his message had been received favorably by the party’s delegates and that he was capable of diagnosing and proposing answers to the party’s problems.
The energy specialist stated that he would remain in the contest until the best and most desired candidate was elected, and he denied reports that he would drop out and endorse another candidate.
Vice President Bawumia, dressed in a blue Kaftan, was spotted beaming with grins after the vetting, but said nothing other than waving to the enthusiastic crowd, some of whom sported his T-shirts with the initials “DMB.”
However, Ali Suraj, a member of Dr. Bawumia’s campaign team, told media that the Vice President would emerge as the party’s flagbearer because of the sacrifices and works he has done for the party over the years.
He stated that his leadership style, humility, and track record give him confidence that delegates will vote for him, implying that Dr. Bawumia is the best candidate for the NPP in the 2024 elections.
Today’s Vetting
Today, Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong will take the seat at the Vetting Committee.
Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Joe Ghartey will take their turns with the vetting committee on Wednesday, while Francis Addai-Nomoh will take his time on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
Background
Last week, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, inaugurated the party’s vetting committee for the party’s presidential primary election with the charge to the members to uphold the party’s constitution and ensure a free, fair and transparent vetting process.
The National Steering Committee on behalf of the NPP’s National Council appointed the members of the committee in accordance with Article 10(3) (F) (ii) of the party’s constitution.
Members of the Vetting Committee are Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, Minister for Roads and Highways; Osei Bonsu Amoah, Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development; Stephen Abankwa Sekyere; Lord Oblitey Commey; Frank Davis; Rita Talata Asobayire; Hackman Owusu-Agyeman; and Adelaide Ahwireng.
The party also appointed Evans Nimako, Director for Research and Elections of the party, as Secretary to the Vetting Committee, while Mr. O.B. Amoah will be the Spokesperson
The NPP ended nominations on June 24, 2023, after ten aspirants successfully filed nomination papers, but one of the applicants for the flagbearership, Nana Oppong Odeneho, dropped out.
The party opened nominations on May 26, 2023 and set June 24, 2023 as the final day for the official filing of nomination for all prospective candidates.
Each of the aspirants paid GH¢300,000 as nomination fees in addition to meeting other requirements outlined by the party, after having paid GH¢50,000 each for the nomination forms.
According to the schedule, the report of the Vetting Committee will be sent to the National Council through the General Secretary on Monday, July 10, 2023.
The party is expected to publish the vetting report at its Steering Committee meeting the following day, and that petitions, if any, would be sent to the National Presidential Appeals Committee (NPAC) between July 12th and 14th, 2023.
The party said the NPAC would sit from Monday, July 17 to Tuesday, July 18, 2023, and the National Council and NEC would meet on July 20, 2023, before the list of qualified presidential hopefuls is published on Friday, July 21, 2023.
Balloting for positions on the ballot paper will take place on July 24, 2023, followed by the publishing of the first notice of poll on July 25, 2023, and the national congress by the Special Electoral College on August 26, 2023.
By Ebenzer K. Amponsah