As the time approaches for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice-President and flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to unveil his running mate for the upcoming elections, inside sources have indicated that the selection is likely to be made from a limited group comprising members of parliament (MPs) and government appointees, as reported by the Daily Graphic.
The primary contenders for the position are Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the MP for Manhyia South and Minister of Energy, and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the MP for Bosomtwe and Minister of Education. Despite the endorsement of other names by specific blocs, these two individuals stand out as frontrunners.
There is also speculation about the potential inclusion of a female running mate, with Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare being mentioned to bring gender balance to the ticket. Additionally, the former Majority Leader in Parliament, Ose Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, is being considered as a desirable candidate for the position.
Other names in the mix of possible candidates include Nana Akomea, the Chief Executive of STC, and Stephen Asamoah Boateng, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Major decision
The Vice-President and the party’s 2024 flag bearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, are poised to make a significant decision in consultation with the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, with an expected announcement in May this year.
Several party stalwarts, sharing their perspectives with the Daily Graphic on the condition of anonymity, emphasized the importance of the potential running mate possessing a broad quality, with some underlining the significance of the individual being a Christian. Some even advocated for a “Christian leader,” believing that such a partnership would strengthen the Christian-Muslim relationship nationwide, contributing to better unity in the country.
Presently, it appears highly challenging to displace both Dr. Prempeh and Dr. Osei Adutwum from their current prominent positions. The duo had previously collaborated at the Ministry of Education during President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo’s first term, with Dr. Adutwum serving as the deputy to Dr. Opoku Prempeh. Notably, both ministers were among the select few who retained their positions amid the recent extensive ministerial changes implemented by the President earlier this month.
Energy Minister
Dr Prempeh, a nephew of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, is also said to have a royal lineage connected to the Manhyia Palace.
His constituency is not merely a stronghold of the party, but actually delivered 83 per cent of the presidential votes to the NPP in the 2020 elections.
Dr Prempeh, as former Minister of Education is credited with the bold implementation of the free senior high school flagship education policy of the government, strongly supported by his then deputy, Dr Adutwum.
Education Minister
Dr. Adutwum has received commendation for his unwavering dedication to the party, exemplified by his decision to forgo personal investments in the U.S. education sector to accept a ministerial role in Ghana when the NPP assumed power in 2017.
His constituency demonstrated strong support by delivering an impressive 84.8 percent of votes to the party in the 2020 presidential election.
Dr. Adutwum has emerged as a prominent advocate for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEMM) education in Ghana. Recognized for his substantial contributions to addressing infrastructural needs in the education sector, he has also been a driving force behind the digitalization and integration of artificial intelligence (AI), aligning with the overarching vision of the NPP flag bearer.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has emerged as a surprise name following his resignation from the position in the course of last week.
He is a seven-term MP who declined to return to Parliament in 2025.
His resignation as the Majority Leader in Parliament followed his appointment as the chair of the party’s 2024 election Manifesto Committee, a decision ostensibly already taken by the party’s hierarchy.
While his colleagues in Parliament appeared to reject any supposed interference that would disrupt the identity of their leadership in the House, he forced the situation by resigning from the post he had held for about 12 years.
Akomea, Boateng
Nana Akomea has been one of the foremost communicators for Dr Bawumia’s campaign since he won the intra-party primary.
He is a former MP and minister during the regime of President Kufuor.
Mr Boateng once vied to lead the party after his first stint as a minister.
Other candidates
Mrs. Osei-Opare’s name has been put forward by those who believe that gender balance would make a difference in the electoral fortunes of the candidates.
She is a two-time MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, having served the constituency from 2005 to 2012.
She once served as the Deputy Minister of the then Manpower and Social Welfare, now Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.
Mrs Osei-Opare continues with her women empowerment initiatives, as well as mentorship sessions, in her quest to groom the next generation of women leaders.
Qualities
While a number of NPP stalwarts who spoke to the Daily Graphic preferred to remain anonymous on who could emerge the lucky one for the position of running mate, it emerged that many of the party elders are in for a Christian.
Others preferred a member of the clergy.
They believe that partnership would further cement the Christian and Moslem relationship across the country and also hold the country further together.
Some senior members of the party were also of the view that choosing a successful business personality from outside the party who would come with his or her rich business background could also not be overlooked.
They were of the view that such a personality combining with an “astute” economist like Dr Bawumia was enough to “break the 8” and enhance the work already done by the government.
According to the NPP bigwigs, competence was basic and the choice must be one with charisma and who is knowledgeable.
“The issue of ethnicity, religion, regional balance, selflessness and how the choice inures significantly to the fortunes of the party especially in its strongholds is also being pushed by those pulling the strings,” said one party source.
“Everyone must take it easy because even if I give you a name, it can change in the very last minute; that is how it works,” it added.
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