NPP National Organizer has challenged Ex-President John Dramani Mahama to a debate with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Taking a cue from US President Joie Biden and former President Donald Trump’s debate in the early hours on Friday, June 28, Henry Nana Boakye implored Ghanaians to impress on John Mahama to engage in a debate with the NPP presidential candidate to inform Ghanaians on their track records.
John Mahama and Mahamudu Bawumia
He believed the flagbearer of his party, Dr. Bawumia will give the former President a “showdown”.
To him, President Mahama is avoiding the intellectual clash with the Vice President but “we will not allow President Mahama to run away from the debate”.
“He should debate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,” he emphasized on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show.Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
In a groundbreaking display of diplomacy and party stewardship, Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for the 2024 elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has achieved a significant reconciliation between Bernard Antwi Boasiako commonly known as Wontumi, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, and Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Napo), MP for Manhyia South and Minister for Energy.
This follows longstanding discord between Chairman Wontumi and Napo within the NPP in the Ashanti Region, marked by disagreements on various critical party issues and Napo’s potential nomination as Bawumia’s running mate, has now been effectively resolved under Dr. Bawumia’s mediation efforts.
This reconciliation process forms a crucial component of Dr. Bawumia’s consultations preceding the announcement of his running mate for the upcoming elections.
Reports indicate that a meeting was convened at Dr. Bawumia’s official residence, with Wontumi, Napo, Nana Nkansah Boadu, Agric Nzema chief and other senior party figures in attendance, fostering a constructive atmosphere conducive to addressing unresolved grievances.
Per sources intimately familiar with the negotiations confirmed that both Wontumi and Napo have pledged to put aside their differences and rally behind Dr. Bawumia’s leadership, solidifying a newfound unity within the NPP ranks.
With this agreement in place, Dr. Bawumia is poised to present Napo as his running mate nominee to the NPP’s national council, slated for endorsement on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
Following the anticipated approval by the national council, Dr. Bawumia is set to officially declare Napo as his running mate in early July, heralding a transformative juncture for the NPP as they embark on preparations for the imminent presidential and parliamentary contests.Source: D. Guide
The Governing New Patriotic Party(NPP),has scheduled to hold an emergency National Executive Committee(NEC) and National Council(NC) meetings on Thursday,4th July,2024 at a different time at Asante hall,Alisa Hotel in Accra.
The above was contained in a notice signed by the General Secretary of the Party,Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua,dated Monday,1st July,2024.
The heading for the invitation to the meetings was “Notice of emergency National Executive Committee(NEC) and National Council(NC) Meetings”.
The notice reads “I extend to you warm greetings from the National Secretariat of the Party.By the order of the National Chairman,Mr.Stephen Ayesu Ntim,you are hereby notified that there will be emergency National Executive Committee(NEC) and National Council(NC) meetings on Thursday,July,4,2024,at different time.
1.The National Executive Committee(NEC) meeting is scheduled as follows;
Date:Thursday,July,4,2024
venue:Asante Hall,Alisa Hotel.
Time:2:00pm
2.The National Council(NC) meeting is scheduled as follows;
Date:Thursday,July,4,2024
Venue:Asante Hall,Alisa Hotel
Time:3:00pm
Notice is hereby served.Thank you.
Signed Justin Kodua Frimpong,General secretary.
This portal, can report authoritatively that,the 2024 flagbearer of the Party,who is also the Vice President of Ghana,Dr.Mahamudu Bawumia,would use both meetings to officially present the Member of Parliament(MP) for Manhyia South,who doubles as the Energy Minister,Dr.Mathew Opoku Prempeh aka Napo as his running mate and seek their approval inline with the party’s constitution.
The 2024 Flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP),who is also the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana,H.E.Mahamudu Bawumia,has met with the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party,Mr.Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi, and introduced the Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South,who doubles as the Energy Minister,Dr.Mathew Opoku Prempeh aka Napo as his running mate ahead of the Party’s National Council meeting.
According to source,Dr.Bawumia engaged Chairman Wontumi,who is perceived to be one of the leading Members of NPP,who opposes Napo as the running mate to the Flagbearer.
The meeting was attended by Nana Nkansah Boadu Ayeboafo,the Agric Nzemahene,who doubles as the Ashanti Regional disciplinary Committee chairman of NPP,and a close friend of Chairman Wontumi.
The source explained that Chairman Wontumi,and Nana Nkansah Boadu Ayeboafo, wholeheartedly for the supreme interest of the party’s victory in the forthcoming general election, accepted the nomination of Napo as running mate to Dr Bawumia.
Attached is the exclusive Pictures from the meeting, which is said to had been held during the weekend;
Many residents of the Ashanti Region, especially those in the Kumasi Metropolis, are jubilating over the nomination of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Manhyia South Constituency, who is also the Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, as the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The residents of the region, which is known as the political stronghold of the NPP, have welcomed Dr. Bawumia’s decision to nominate the Manhyia South MP, popularly known as Napo, as his running mate.
According to them, the former Education Minister is a dedicated public servant, who worked tirelessly for the betterment of the country, particularly during the implementation of the Free Senior High School programme, which has transformed the educational sector with a lasting impact on the nation.
Speaking to Kumasi-based OTEC102.9FM , the residents noted that Dr. Opoku Prempeh is a strong leader who prioritises the needs of people.
They described him as a unifying figure who would help Dr. Bawumia to govern the country with vision and wisdom, thereby creating more business opportunities to improve economic growth and development.
The residents believe that Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s nomination will boost the chances of the NPP in the 2024 polls, and they are confident that the party will retain power, come December 2024.Source: Otecfmghana.com/Jacob Agyenim Boateng with additional information from tntnewspapergh.com
The Central Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced the withdrawal of Nurein Shiabu Migyimah as the party’s Assin Central Parliamentary Candidate for the 2024 general elections on moral grounds.
Complaints were filed against Nurein Shiabu Migyimah, and the NDC’s Central Regional Functional Executive Committee decided to withdraw his candidature with immediate effect after exhaustive investigations and deliberations.
Nurein Shiabu Migyimah,
The Regional Functional Executive Committee has written to the Assin Central Chairman of the NDC, informing him of the suspension of Nurein Shiabu Migyimah for six months.
This suspension is pending the review and adjudication of the matter by the Regional Disciplinary Committee.
The letter serves as formal notice of the suspension, which will remain in effect until the committee reaches a final decision on the matter.
The party did not explain in detail the offense of the Parliamentary Candidate, except to say that it deliberated on his “immoral acts and anti-party conduct.”
The Assin Central seat is currently occupied by the New Patriotic Party’s Kennedy Agyapong.
In the last election, Nurudeen polled 14,747 votes representing 42.74 against Kennedy Agyapong’s 19,754 representing 57.26% of the votes cast.
It is unclear how this decision will impact the dynamics of the constituency in the December elections.
The Majority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has warned his NPP colleagues and party sympathisers against infighting ahead of the the party’s running mate announcement.
As the 2024 elections approach and the decision of a running mate to NPP’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, remains under review, the party will benefit more from maintaining unity than infighting about the choice yet to be made, he said at a press conference on Thursday.
Mr Afenyo-Markin encouraged the NPP MPs to be mindful of their comments and how they express themselves in public while addressing the running mate selection.
“Yes, we’ve all heard matters regarding running mate to complement our ticket but no decision has been made yet and the party structures are there.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin
“So I would want to encourage colleague MPs that we are in this together. There is no perfect person in this world.”
“None of us can tick every box, so let’s be careful how we describe each other, how we say things about our colleagues, how we approach things and the language we use. It may not be helpful. So that is all my advice. Be measured in the language we use,” the Effutu MP said.
He assured his colleagues that Dr Bawumia in consultation with party elders would make a decision beneficial to the party and all involved.
On June 26, it was reported that the flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, consulted President Akufo-Addo on his choice of a running mate for the December 7 presidential election.
According to JoyNews’ Presidential Affairs correspondent Elton Brobbey, a meeting took place on Tuesday night at the Jubilee House.
He presented the Energy Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, to President Akufo-Addo, who offered some advice and shared his thoughts but eventually accepted Dr Bawumia’s choice.
However, this news did not sit well with some.
A member of the National Council of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Andy Appiah-Kubi, expressed his disapproval of the running mate candidate.
According to the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akim North, the Energy Minister, Mr Opoku Prempeh is not acceptable to the entirety of the NPP base, particularly MPs, adding that the Energy Minister cannot campaign effectively in many constituencies.
Read More: Opoku Prempeh not the right choice to partner with Bawumia – Appiah-Kubi
“I would want somebody who would be open with the people on the ground, who would be able to deliver the votes, who would submit to the presidency, and who would be important in bringing Parliament closer to the executive,” he said.
There has been wild jubilation on the WhatsApp group platform of chiefs and queens in the Ashanti Region following the selection of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the running mate of the Flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for the 2024 general election.
Chiefs on the Kumasi Traditional Council WhatsApp platform have joyously welcomed the choice of their beloved son, the Royal Dr. Opoku Prempeh, to partner Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Messages and voice notes recorded and posted on the platform yesterday by various chiefs were overwhelmingly positive, welcoming the naming of the Energy Minister and Manhyia Royal as running mate.
Chiefs from various traditional areas showered congratulatory messages on Napo as they looked forward to receiving him when he comes over to be introduced to them formally in their respective palaces.
Reports indicate that the queens were also in a joyous mood like the chiefs.
Based on a source from this portal, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, prior to his selection, had personally visited nearly all the chiefs and queens at home to seek their blessings and support for the “heavy duty that will be placed on him”.
A confidential internal memo surrounding the choice of Napo as running mate indicates that the 2024 elections will be the first elections in Ghana where chiefs and traditional influencers in the Ashanti Region will take a keen interest in because of Napo.
Independent analysts have said with the selection of Napo, it is possible for the NPP to win the 2024 elections easily by performing a little above average in the presidential election results, but securing 77% to 85% of votes in the Ashanti Region.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh is expected to be formally announced by the party to Ghanaians and his party members in the coming source:Broadcastergh.com
JoyNews can confirm that the flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has consulted President Akufo-Addo on his choice of a running mate for the December 7 presidential election.
According to JoyNews’ Presidential Affairs correspondent Elton Brobbey, a meeting took place last night at the Jubilee House.
During the meeting, Vice President Dr Bawumia presented his choice to the President.
Elton Brobbey clarified that President Akufo-Addo offered some advice and shared his thoughts but eventually accepted Dr Bawumia’s choice.
He said the chosen candidate is a 56-year-old medical doctor who graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
“…He was first elected to Parliament in 2008 and won re-election in 2012, 2016 and 2020. He served on the Health Appointment and Defence and Interior Committees of Parliament.
“In 2017, President Akufo-Addo appointed him Education Minister and he now serves as the Energy Minister. The name is Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh also known as NAPO,” he said.
The JoyNews Presidential correspondent said that it is unclear whether the Vice President’s choice of Dr. Opoku Prempeh as his running mate was influenced by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) survey.
However, he noted that the Energy Minister appears to be the preferred choice of the party’s grassroots.
He added that even after Dr. Bawumia won the NPP flagbearership race, he had already made it clear the choice of his running mate, noting that his announcement of Dr Opoku Prempeh was not surprising.
Meanwhile, the NPP flagbearer is expected to meet with the party’s council to formally present his choice. If accepted, a formal announcement will follow.
On June 15, 2024, a survey conducted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) indicated that the Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh was widely preferred among party members to be the running mate to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.
Read also: Opoku Prempeh leads in NPP’s choice of running mate for Bawumia – NIB Survey
The survey engaged 5,116 NPP delegates nationwide, including national, regional, constituency, and polling station executives.
According to the study, Dr Opoku Prempeh secured 76.2% of the responses from executives polled.
Following him was the Minister of Education and MP for the Bosomtwe, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, who garnered 10.16%.
The Member of Parliament for the Manhyia South Constituency in the Ashanti Region and Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as Napo, has emerged as the favourite person to be considered as running mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Prof. Smart Sarpong, the Director of Research and Innovation at the Kumasi Technical University, has revealed in his latest survey.
The survey is the third in less than three weeks from different organisations, apart from previous predictions putting the Energy Minister ahead of his competitors.
Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh aka Napo
Based on his findings, Prof. Sarpong said his expectation of the party people to nominate Dr. Opoku Prempeh comes ahead of the other competitors.
This position is held by 35% of the delegate participants or respondents in the survey. The good news for Dr. Bawumia is that a very good percentage of respondents (26.8%) are okay with any choice he comes up with after his consultations.
Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum and Hon. Dr. Henry Kokofu follow with 14.5% and 10.4% respectively.
Prof Smart Sarpong
The former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyina, is also expected to be named by some 8.5% of the respondents, with Chief of Staff Frema Opare also making it to what may appear to be the top-five nominees for the running mate position.
Conclusion
The flagbearer may take a cue from this and other earlier surveys from his close team and
other external researchers to form a basis for the nomination of a suitable candidate as running
mate.
Much as the party delegates’ views are crucial to his decision, Dr. Bawunia must also consider
selecting a person who is also acceptable to non-party members.
Though many party delegates expressed worry over the delay in nominating a running mate,
this report is silent over it due to the vast indication of naming the running mate soon.
The introduction of the executive summary of the research spells out the methodology, sample size, among others.
Flagbearers are clothed with the responsibility to nominate a suitable candidate to partner with in presidential elections in Ghana. In such situations, flagbearers take time to consult widely to minimise the errors associated with choosing a running mate who may not help the ticket of the party much.
In this report, we present the views of some 3577 party executives selected from some 61 battlefield constituencies within six regions in Ghana.
In political literature, a battlefield is a constituency where the losing candidate loses with more than 30% of the votes cast for that election.
This report may serve as a complementary to the many reports flagbearers receive from research and non-research consultants to help shape the decision they take.
Design
Sampling technique – Convenience; Sample Size – 3577; Selection – willful & available party officer within the constituency.
The full executive summary and the actual findings are attached below:
