On Friday, May 26, 2023, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) officially commenced the nomination process for its upcoming flagbearership contest.
By the end of the day, four candidates successfully obtained their nomination forms.
Boakye Agyarko
Boakye Agyarko, a former energy minister, was the first candidate to pick up the nomination forms for the party’s primaries.
A team led by Benjamin Ashitey Armah collected the forms on behalf of Boakye Agyarko at the party’s headquarters in Accra.
Prior to obtaining the nomination forms, Agyarko had already engaged with regional party executives during his campaign tour.
Amarh, spokesperson for Agyarko’s campaign team, stated that the former minister was the most suitable candidate to ensure the party retains power in 2024.
He described Agyarko as the driving force behind public policy in the NPP, emphasizing that he would restore hope for ordinary Ghanaians if given the opportunity.
Kofi Konadu Apraku
Kofi Konadu Apraku, a recurring flagbearer aspirant, also had his nomination forms collected by his team on his behalf.
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, who previously served as the Member of Parliament for the Offinso North constituency in the fourth parliament of the fourth Republic of Ghana, held various government positions during the John Agyekum Kufuor administration.
Within this period, he assumed roles such as Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Regional Cooperation and NEPAD (2003-2005), and Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
He also served as a governor of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) from 2003 to 2006.
After obtaining his nomination on Friday, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku’s team emphasized the necessity for a leader with both political experience and economic expertise to uplift the country’s prospects.
Kwame Obiri Nkansah, Director of Communication for Friends of Apraku, who collected the nomination forms, stressed the importance of returning to fundamental principles in order to address the ongoing economic crisis.
He highlighted the need to prioritize domestic agriculture and manufacturing, which aligns with Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku’s vision.
Francis Addai-Nimoh
Francis Addai-Nimoh, a former contender for the NPP flagbearer position, had his nomination forms collected on his behalf on Friday.
He is a prominent member of the NPP and has previously represented the party in parliament.
Addai-Nimoh served as a Member of Parliament for Mampong from 2008 to 2016.
In 2014, he participated in the NPP’s presidential primaries but was unsuccessful.
Kwabena Agyei Agyepong
Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former General Secretary of the NPP, has also obtained a nomination to compete in the flagbearer contest.
In 2015, after securing the general secretary position, Agyepong and other national executives were dismissed and suspended due to their opposition to the party’s then flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
However, his suspension was subsequently overturned after the party’s victory in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former trade minister Alan Kyerematen, and former agric minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto are expected to pick their nominations in the coming days.
