Joseph Ayikoi Otooa and Prof. Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi
ASPIRANTS TO the position of National Chairman and General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will face the Peter Mac Manu-led vetting committee today.
Seven applicants namely Prof. Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Stephen Ayesu Ntim, Stephen Kwabena Boateng, Sammy Crabbe, Akwasi Osei Adjei, Joseph Ayikoi Otoo, and George Kwabena Abankwah-Yeboah filed to run for the National Chairperson position.
For the National Vice Chairperson positions, 10 people filed to contest the three slots by the close of nominations, whereas six others, including the incumbent, also filed for the General Secretary position.
Aspirants of the National Vice Chairperson positions are Edmond Oppong Peprah, Alhaji Masawudu Osman, M.C. Jewels Annan, Rita Asobayire, Michael Omari Wadie, Kwaku Nkansah, Kingston Akomeng Kissi, Danquah Smith, Ishmael Yahuza and Nuworsu Ken-Wuud.
For the General Secretary, those aspiring for the position are Justin Kodua Frimpong, Musah Iddrisu Superior, Fredrick Opare Ansah, John Boadu (incumbent), Charles Bissue, and Ramseyer Agyeman-Prempeh.
The committee will announce later on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, aspirants who have been approved or rejected in its report.
Per the rules and guidelines set out by the party, a disqualified applicant will have the opportunity to appeal the decision of the Vetting Committee through the National Appeals Committee.
Hearing of appeals, if any, will be held between June 24 and 25, 2022 by the National Appeals Committee.
The National Appeals Committee is constituted by five people and is chaired by the Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe, with other members including Rev. S. K. Boafo, Dr. Clifford Braimah, Joyce Opoku Boateng, Kwadwo Afari and Iddi Muhayu-Deen.
Already, aspirants for the National Women’s Organiser, National Youth Organiser and Nasara Coordinator positions have been vetted.
The election process of the NPP national officers began on June 8, 2022 with the opening of nominations, which was closed on June 12, 2022.
The filing of nomination papers was held between June13 and 15, 2022, with the vetting of aspirants beginning on June 17, and it is expected to end by close of work today.
Each prospective candidate was made to pay a non-refundable nomination fee, with National Chairperson applicants paying GH₵20,000; Vice Chairpersons paying GH₵15,000; General Secretary – GH₵10,000; while all other positions paid GH₵8,000.
Special Wings such as the Youth, Women and Nasara applicants paid GH₵6,000.
All the prospective candidates were made to produce their biometric voter ID card issued by the Electoral Commission of Ghana in line with the party’s guidelines.
The party, in a statement, said, “A prospective candidate for any of the National Officers position shall be nominated by one (l) member of the party’s National Council and seconded by 20 known and active registered members of the party. All the seconders shall be in good standing.”
The statement continued that three passport-sized photographs shall accompany each nomination form, and that the National Elections Committee shall be responsible for the vetting of all prospective candidates from June17 to 20, 2022.
The elections of the NPP National Executives Committee are slated for Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17, 2022 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
By Ernest Kofi Adu