NPP Flagbearer Aspirant Vows to Fight Party ‘Hooliganism’ Ahead of Primary

Kennedy Agyapong, a member of parliament and a contender for the leadership of Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has vowed to resist any attempts to rig the party’s presidential primary scheduled for November. Agyapong, who represents the Assin Central constituency, accused some party officials of favoring a certain candidate and intimidating his supporters. He said he would not tolerate any “hooliganism” at the party’s national council, the highest decision-making body of the NPP.

“I am not Alan, who is so gentle. Let them try, and they will see what will happen. We will rescue Ghana whether you like it or not. For the youth of this country, I will put my life on the line,” he said at a rally in Kumasi on Saturday. Agyapong was referring to Alan Kyerematen, a former trade minister and a former NPP flagbearer aspirant, who resigned from the party last month and announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 general election.

Kyerematen cited the unfairness of the party’s preliminary vote, in which he came third behind Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and Agriculture Minister Owusu Afriyie Akoto, as well as the harassment of his followers as reasons for his decision. Agyapong, who came fourth in the preliminary vote, said he would challenge any party official who tries to manipulate the outcome of the primary. He also urged his supporters to remain calm and united.

The NPP is set to elect a successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is serving his second and final term, on November 4. The party faces a tough competition from the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which is yet to choose its flag bearer. The NPP has been in power since 2017, but has faced criticism over its handling of the economy, corruption scandals, and security issues. The party has also been plagued by internal divisions and fractions, which analysts say could affect its chances of retaining power.

However, the party has also boasted of its achievements in infrastructure development, social welfare programmes, and COVID-19 response. The party has also pledged to continue its agenda of transforming Ghana into a prosperous and inclusive nation. The NPP flagbearer will be chosen by about 200,000 delegates from across the country, who will cast their votes at designated polling stations. The winner will need more than 50 percent of the votes to avoid a runoff. The primary is expected to be a close contest between Bawumia, who is seen as Akufo-Addo’s preferred successor, and Akoto, who has the backing of some influential party elders. Agyapong and Addai-Nimoh, a former MP, are considered as underdogs, but could also pull some surprises.

The NPP flagbearer will face the winner of the NDC primary, which is likely to be held early next year. The NDC is currently led by former President John Mahama, who lost to Akufo-Addo in the 2016 and 2020 elections. Mahama has not yet confirmed if he will run again, but some party members have urged him to do so.The 2024 general election will be the eighth since Ghana returned to multiparty democracy in 1992. The country is widely regarded as a model of stability and peaceful transition of power in Africa.

Source: GhanaWeb