• The run-up to the 2024 elections is already heating up
• A number of names have emerged as potential presidential candidates of the NPP
• The president at a recent visit to the Ashanti region told Otumfuo that two of his appointees are ready for his possition
NB:It is important to note that persons named in this article have not announced their presidential bids for the 2024 flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party
While the 2024 general elections is some three years away, there have been ramblings over who will become the flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party.
This comes after President Akufo-Addo won a second term at the 2020 presidential polls against the National Democratic Congress’ John Dramani Mahama.
So far, the party, while still in power has already intentioned to ‘break the eight’ year cycle which often times, sees a change of government in Ghana’s political and democratic dispensation.
But the NPP seems to have set its heart and mind to retain the reign of presidential power in the 2024 elections with a bid to consolidate gains made since it took office in 2017.
Following the 2020 general elections, a few names within the NPP started to emerge. This followed a wave of posters which all but confirmed the possible decision of some potential candidates seeking to contest the flagbearship position.
Shortly after the elections, campaign posters of Agriculture Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto also emerged on social media heightening speculation on his presidential ambitions.
This also followed the building of support for potential presidential bids by Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen as well as campaign posters of current vice president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
But General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu criticised the move by persons who have started to campaign ahead of the 2024 general elections as campaign activities are yet to be sanctioned by the National Executive Committee and the National Council of the party.
Most recently, President Akufo-Addo while on a working visit to the Ashanti region seemed to have confirmed the bids of some two potential candidates.
While introducing a team that escorted him to visit the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo teased Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Alan Kyerematen over their potential presidential ambitions.
“I am here with the Minister of Transport, Minister for Works and Housing, the National Security Boss, Chairman One; Wontumi, the Food and Agriculture Minister; Owusu Afriyie, who wants to be President. I also have here with me someone who has long eyed the presidential seat, the Minister of Trade and Industry; Alan Kyeremanten, a very hard-working man. All of them are doing a good job.”
The comments were however met with loud cheers amid laughter from all present during the visit.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party is set to hold its presidential primaries in 2023.