NEWSPOLITICAL

NPP flagbearer aspirants ballot for positions

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) conducted a significant event yesterday, as aspiring flagbearer candidates participated in a ballot to determine their positions for the upcoming internal party elections

At the end of the balloting, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong picked the number one slot on the ballot paper for the Special New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential super delegates conference on August 26, 2023.

Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen picked the 2nd slot followed by Joe Ghartey as the 3rd and Kwadwo Poku as the 4th.

Former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto picked the 5th position with Kwabena Agyei Agyepong picking 6th slot.

The last four slots went to Francis Addai-Nimoh at 7th, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku at 8th, Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko at 9th and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at the 10th position.

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the party will on August 26 cut down the list of its presidential aspirants from 10 to five as stipulated in its constitution.

Nomination

Before getting to this point, nominations were opened on May 26, 2023 and the NPP set June 24, 2023 as the final day for the official filing of nomination for all prospective candidates. Each of the aspirants paid a non-refundable fee of GH¢300,000 in addition to meeting other requirements outlined by the party, after having paid GH¢50,000 each for the nomination forms.

Earlier, the General Secretary charged the committee to uphold the party’s constitution and ensure a free, fair and transparent vetting process when he inaugurated it.

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.

Vetting

After submitting their respective nomination forms, the aspiring presidential candidates of the NPP went through vetting processes in the internal elections for the party’s presidential flagbearer position in an engagement with the Prof Mike Oquaye Committee.

The vetting process, conducted by a panel of seasoned party executives and elders, was aimed at assessing the qualifications, leadership abilities, and commitment of the aspirants to the party’s core principles and agenda. Before the Committee, each candidate was subjected rigorous questioning and scrutiny to determine their suitability for the highly esteemed position.

Reports gathered on grounds indicate that it focused on a range of key aspects, including the candidates’ vision for Ghana’s development, strategies for addressing pressing national issues, and ability to unite party members and foster cohesion. In addition, the panel closely evaluated the candidates’ policy proposals and their plans for economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development, as well as social protection policies.

The vetting process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner, with each candidate given an equal opportunity to present their ideas and articulate their vision for the future of Ghana.

Undertaking

To ensure free, fair and transparent internal election process, the NPP has published the decisions of the National Council following last week’s meeting on the upcoming parliamentary and presidential primaries.

In a press statement dated July 24, 2023, issued by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party explained that all aspiring Presidential candidates “shall sign an undertaking with the party, committing himself to supporting whoever is eventually elected/selected as the party’s Presidential Candidate after the election/selection process in the event that he is not elected/selected.”

It reiterated that the Special Electoral College scheduled for August 26, 2023, shall be held at each of the 16 Regional Capitals and that each delegate shall be entitled to one vote, and shall cast his/her vote by secret ballot for only one Candidate.

“All Aspiring Presidential Candidates shall be given the validated Album for the Special Electoral College at least one month to the date of the Congress (i.e. not later than July 26, 2023),” it added.

Unhealthy comments

The National Council said it took a serious view of some unhealthy comments and utterances from some aspiring presidential candidates and their supporters, which do not auger well for the unity and cohesion of the Party.

“Accordingly, the Council, by this statement, reinforces compliance with the Code of Conduct for Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of the Party.”

“Any Aspiring Presidential Candidate, or his supporters, and party executives at all levels who act in contravention of the Code of Conduct, moving forward, shall be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines thereof and the Party Constitution,” it stressed.

It said all aspiring presidential candidates shall campaign on issues and refrain from levelling unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks and vilifications against their opponents and that no aspiring presidential candidate shall undertake any activity that will polarize the Party along tribal, religious, and other factional lines.

It added that all aspiring presidential candidates should impress upon their supporters not to engage in any of the activities stated above.

An aspiring presidential candidate shall sign an undertaking with the party, committing himself to supporting whoever is eventually elected/selected as the party’s Presidential Candidate after the election/selection process in the event that he is not elected/selected.

 

 

 

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