Story By: Ahashie Judeliver Eli
Today, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) embarks on a crucial journey as it officially begins voting at polling centers across the country to select its presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections.
This momentous event involves over 200,000 party delegates, each representing a critical voice in determining the future leadership of the party. The decision they make today is seen as a pivotal step in breaking the eight-year election cycle pattern in Ghana.
These delegates form an Electoral College, comprising a diverse range of influential party members. Among them are Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives, ministers and their deputies, esteemed foundation members of the NPP, members of the party’s National Council, as well as patrons and council of elders. The list goes on to include regional party officers, constituency officers, constituency patrons, constituency elders, electoral area coordinators, polling station executives, overseas branches, and members of Tescon, the tertiary students’ wing of the party.
As the day unfolds, the attention of the nation turns to the various polling centers where enthusiastic NPP members gather to cast their votes. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation and excitement as these members exercise their democratic right in selecting their preferred presidential candidate.
The four contenders in the race, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Food and Agric Minister Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie, and former MP Francis Addai-Nimoh, have been actively campaigning, making their case to the party faithful.
While Dr. Bawumia is considered a frontrunner, Kennedy Agyapong is expected to mount a strong challenge, having garnered significant support during the party’s super delegates conference. This conference saw him unexpectedly secure the second position ahead of former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen.
The voting is taking place in all constituencies across the country, except for the Sunyani East Constituency in the Bono Region where, the election has been temporarily halted following a high court ruling that invalidated the constituency voter list, prompted by an injunction filed by disgruntled party members.
In a remarkable show of party unity, all the contestants have signed an agreement not to resign from the NPP if they do not emerge victorious. The ballot paper lists the candidates in the order of Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis Addai Nimo. As the nation watches, the outcome of this historic election will undoubtedly shape the political landscape of Ghana in the years to come.