Meet The Ten (10) NPP Flagbearer Hopefuls Who Picked Up Their Nomination Forms

In the race to become the flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming presidential elections, 10 aspirants have picked up nomination forms to contest the party’s primary slated for November 4, 2023.

The aspirants who have expressed their interest to lead the party and eventually the country are:

 

Former Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko

 

Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko is a Ghanaian politician and former banker. He was the vice president of the Bank of New York. He was the former Minister for Energy in Ghana.
Boakye Agyarko, was the first to pick up nomination forms for the party’s primaries.

A team led by Benjamin Ashitey Armah picked up the forms on behalf of the presidential hopeful at the party’s headquarters in Accra on Friday, May 26, 2023.

Before picking up the nomination forms, Boakye Agyarko had previously met with all regional party executives during his tour.

According to Amarh, spokesperson for Mr. Agyarko’s campaign team, the former minister was the best candidate for the party to retain power in 2024. He described Mr. Agyarko as the “engine” of public policy in the NPP, noting that he would restore hope for the ordinary Ghanaian when given the nod.

 

 

 

 

Former NPP general secretary and presidential spokesperson, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong

Kwabena Agyei Agyepong is Ghanaian civil engineer and former General Secretary of the New Patriotic party.

He became active in Ghanaian politics when Ghana reentered constitutional rule after over a decade of Military rule. He played roles in the campaigns of NPP Presidential Candidates Albert Adu Boahen in 1992 and John Kufuor in 1996.

 

He also played a role in Nana Akufo-Addo’s campaign to win the presidential nomination in 1998 but subsequently played a role in the overall party effort during the 2000 General election which was won by John Kufuor. He was involved in this again in the year 2004.

He served as the Press Secretary to the President of Ghana John Kufuor from 2001 to 2006. Kwabena Agyapong was one of 17 aspirants who contested for the party’s nomination to replace John Agyekum Kuffuor as presidential candidate for the 2008 Ghanaian General Election.

 

In 2014, Kwabena Agyapong stood for the position of General Secretary for the Party and won. However, he and the party’s chairman, Paul Afoko faced a lot of resistance in trying to do their duties.
Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, has picked up a nomination to contest in the flagbearer contest on Friday, May 26, 2023.

After winning the general secretary position in 2015, Kwabena Agyepong and other national executives of the party were removed from office and suspended on grounds of being against the party’s then flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

His suspension has since been reversed after the party won the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

 

 

 

Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mampong, Francis Addai Nimoh

 

Another former contender for the NPP flagbearer slot, Francis Addai-Nimoh, also had nomination forms picked up for him on Friday, May 26, 2023.

Francis Addai-Nimoh is a Development planner by profession and  also a civil engineer.

He also served as a Member of parliament for Mampong between 2008 and 2016. He contested in the NPP’s presidential primaries in 2014, where he lost.

Addai Nimo’s forms secured by his spokesperson, George Obeng Antwi, at the NPP headquarters in Accra.

Mr. George Obeng Antwi, said Mr Nimo is the right person to lead the party.

 

 

Former minister of state and former Member of Parliament for the Offinso North constituency , Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku

 

Serial flagbearer aspirant, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, also had his nomination forms picked up on his behalf by his team.

Apraku is a Ghanaian politician, economist, corporate executive, diplomat, and a member of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana.

Dr. Apraku was the Member of Parliament for the Offinso North constituency in the fourth parliament of the fourth Republic of Ghana.

Under the John Agyekum Kufuor government, Dr. Apraku served in various government positions. He served as the Minister of Trade and Industry and was the Minister of Regional Cooperation and NEPAD between 2003-2005. He was the Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, a group that includes the Ministers in charge of Integration, Finance, and Trade. He was a governor of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) from 2003 to 2006.

After picking up his nomination on Friday, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku’s team said the NPP and Ghana needed a leader with political experience and economic prowess to turn the fortunes of the country around.
Mr. Kwame Obiri Nkansah, Director of Communication, Friends of Apraku, who picked up the forms, said, “We must go back to the basics if we want to address this economic crisis. Going back to the basics means growing what we eat and producing what we wear, and this is the focus of Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku.”

 

 

 

Former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto.

Dr. Afriyie Akoto is a Ghanaian agricultural economist. He was Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso Constituency from 2009 to 2017. He served as the Minister of Food and Agriculture from 2017 to 2023 in President Akufo-Addo’s NPP government

On January 10, Dr Akoto tendered his resignation letter to President Akufo-Addo.

At his campaign launch on March 13, the NPP stalwart reiterated his confidence as the only candidate who can win the next election with the “immense support that I have received so far ever since I announced my intention to contest the flagbearership race.”

His delegation picked nominations forms on his behalf at the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down in the Greater Accra Region.

According to the the delegation, the former Minister has a proven record, which is why they are rallying support for him.

They specifically highlighted the Planting for Food and Jobs policy as a game-changer in the Akufo-Addo government, and they believe that if given the opportunity, he will accomplish even more as a leader of the NPP and as President of the country.

 

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

 

 

 

The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana,  Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia officially entered the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential race, as members of his camp on Tuesday, 30th June, 2023, picked up a nomination form for him.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is a Ghanaian economist and former central banker who serves as the 5th Vice President of Ghana in the 4th Ghanaian Republic. He assumed office on 7 January 2017 as Vice President of Ghana and reappointed on 7 January 20121.

Bawumia was a Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana until his nomination as the vice presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2008, standing alongside presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. He also ran as the NPP vice-presidential candidate in the 2012, 2016 and 2020 general elections.

This comes after national executives of the party rejected an earlier attempt by members of the ‘Bawumia Fun Club’ to pick the form for him, accompanied by a cheque for the mandated GH¢50,000.

The group had on Friday, May 26, attempted to pick the presidential nomination forms for Dr. Bawumia to contest the presidential candidacy of the ruling party, however, the party said it had no authorisation from the campaign team of the vice president to receive the endorsement.

Speaking to the media after picking up the form on Tuesday however , former Chief Executive Officer of the Bui Power Authority, Fred Oware who was accompanied by the Director-General of the National Lottery Authority, Sammi Awuku, said they were authorised to do so.

Explaining why the team was not flanked by party supporters, Mr. Oware said it “was a private assignment.”

Backing this stance, Mr. Sammi Awuku added that, Dr. Bawumia will be ready to communicate with the media after filing the form.

On May 3, 2023, the Vice President declared his intention to lead the NPP in the 2024 general election.

 

 

Former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen

 

 

Former Trades and Industry Minister Alan Kyeremanten has officially joined the race to contest in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearership race

Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen is a Ghanaian politician who served as Minister for Trade and Industry from 2017 to 2023. Kyerematen was Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States and later Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and Presidential Special Initiatives in President John Kufuor’s NPP government.

His delegation picked nominations forms on his behalf at the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday, 31st May, 2023.

The delegation was led by some market queens in different market areas in Accra and Kumasi and some members of his campaign team.

Speaking at the NPP headquarters, Nana Abena Serwaa Comfort, who said she headed the Tomato market in Kumasi, said she and her colleagues were thankful for the immense help they received from Mr Kyerematen, especially at the time of their struggles.

She noted that as a result, they promised to make donations, raise the filing fees and pick the forms on his behalf – a feat, she said, they are thankful to have completed.

Madam Serwaa said that many market women since Mr Kyerematen became Trade Minister saw improvement in their trade thanks to his aid and thus they believe the country will benefit from his hard work if he becomes president.

Kyerematen made an attempt at the leadership of the New Patriotic Party in 2007, capturing 32.3% of votes cast. He was first runner-up to Nana Akufo-Addo who gained 47.96% of votes cast.

Kyerematen made other attempts at the party’s leadership in 2010 and 2014 but placed second to Akufo-Addo, who won the primaries.

 

 

Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong

A New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is confident of emerging victorious in the party’s flagbearer election.

Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is a Ghanaian politician and businessman who represents Assin Central in parliament for the New Patriotic Party. He was first elected a member of parliament in 2000 to the seat of Assin North. He retained his seat in the 2004, 2008, 2012,2016 and 2020 parliamentary elections

His team made this known after picking up his nomination forms at the NPP headquarters in Accra on Thursday.

The flagbearer hopeful who is also the Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP) becomes the ninth person to have picked up the forms since the party opened nominations.

In an interview with Citi News, the campaign manager for Kennedy Agyapong, Kwame Owusu indicated that the grassroots of the party is attracted to what he described as the disciplinary nature of the candidate.

“We believe in the grassroots. The people are excited about what honourable Ken stands for. Honourable Ken does not stand for indiscipline. Honourable is honest in terms of his dealing with the country. Honourable Ken is patriotic that he will die for Ghana, and he has demonstrated that.

So most of the time if you hear him talking loud or making a case, it is what people will come in and say that he is not conforming. Of course, he is not conforming because he stands for the ordinary people and ordinary people are not conformists,” he said.

Mr Owusu said his disciplinary nature would give him the edge over his contenders, saying “People want somebody who is disciplined because there is too much indiscipline in this country. Indiscipline leads to corruption and once you see a man that you believe is honest, and you are going to work for him, it has to be at the back of your mind that whatever you do you are going to face the whip very squarely.”

 

 

 

 

MP for ESSlKADO-KETAN Constituency, Mr. Joe Ghartey

Essikado-Ketan Lawmaker, Joe Ghartey has once again joined the race to contest the presidential race of the governing New Patriotic Party.

Joe Ghartey is a Ghanaian lawyer, academic and politician. He is a former Attorney-General , Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Railways and Development Minister.

Joe Ghartey hails from Shama, in the Western Region of the Republic of Ghana

This is not the first time the Essikado-Ketan MP is seeking to lead the NPP.

A delegation comprising his campaign team members picked the forms on his behalf on Thursday, June 1, at the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra.

Speaking to the media, a member of the campaign team, Majeed Adam, said Mr Ghatey is ready for a victory because he has the backing of the grassroots.

He noted that if the former Minister wins the race, Ghanaians are assured of a new direction and leadership that will not only restore their confidence in the country, but also strengthen the economy and change the narrative of Ghana’s politics.

“The leadership of our time will lead to development. It must be seen as transformational rather than transitional. It is not just a matter of the fact that President Akufo-Addo is leaving and somebody must wear his shoes. We need a competent leader to wear his shoes so that Ghana will be better off than what we are seeing today,” Mr Adam noted.

 

 

 

 

Renowned energy expert, Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku

 

 

 

Each aspirant has a unique background and political experience, and they each bring their own ideas and vision to the table.

The NPP has a history of competitive primaries, and this year’s race promises to be no different.

The aspirants are expected to engage in rigorous campaigns to win the support of party delegates, who will eventually cast their votes during the primaries.

The winner of the NPP primary will become the party’s flagbearer and will lead the party into the general elections.

The NPP is a major political party in Ghana, and the outcome of its primary is always keenly watched by political observers and the general public alike.

With 10 aspirants vying for the party’s top spot, there is sure to be a lot of interest and excitement in the coming weeks and months.

 

Nominations will remain open for nearly a month and close on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

The aspirants are directed to pick up nomination forms at the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Monday to Friday.

 

NPP presidential primaries calendar

Friday, May 26, 2023 – Opening of Nominations
Saturday, June 24, 2023 – Closing of Nominations
Saturday, August 26, 2023 – Special Electoral College Elections (if any)
Saturday, November 4, 2023 – National Congress

 

 

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