According to a report by Modern Ghana, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ghana’s ruling party, has announced the dates for its presidential and parliamentary primaries ahead of the 2024 general elections. The party will elect its presidential candidate on November 4, 2023, and its parliamentary candidates in February 2024.
The presidential primaries will be a keen contest among seven aspirants, who have declared their intentions to lead the party. They are the Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong; a former Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko; a former presidential spokesperson and General Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; and a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey, who is also the MP for Essikado-Ketan.
According to the guidelines released by the Presidential Elections Committee of the party, the aspirants will need to pay a filing fee of GH¢200,000 and secure the endorsement of at least 10% of the party’s delegates from across the country. The Electoral Commission (EC) will supervise the conduct of the elections and ensure transparency, fairness and security. The party has also warned against any form of campaigning, canvassing or gathering of party members a day before the voting. The party has also banned the wearing of colours or effigies of any aspirant at the voting centres.
The presidential primaries will be a major test for the aspirants, who will need to win the hearts and minds of over 200,000 delegates. The winner of the primaries will then face the challenge of retaining power for the party, which has been in office since 2017. The main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has already confirmed its flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama, who lost the 2020 elections to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by a narrow margin.
The NPP has been touted as a democratic and united party, which has delivered on its promises of economic growth, social development and good governance. However, the party also faces some internal divisions, corruption allegations and public discontent over some policies and issues. The party will need to rally behind its chosen leader and present a strong and convincing case to the electorate to secure another term in office.
The NPP has expressed confidence in its ability to win the 2024 elections and continue its agenda of transforming Ghana. The party has also appealed to its members and supporters to remain peaceful and respectful during the primaries and the general elections. The party has also urged the public to support its vision and mission of building a prosperous and inclusive nation.
