Napo Officially Outdoored Today

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), is set to officially outdoor Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, as the party’s running mate for the December 7, 2024, polls.

The grand unveiling, slated for today Tuesday, July 9, will take place in Kumasi at the Jubilee Park at 2PM, where hundreds of party supporters and sympathizers, are expected to grace the mammoth event.

The significant event, is meant to officially present Dr Opoku Prempeh, affectionately called Napo, to party faithful in his new role, which had received an overwhelming endorsement not only from the rank and file of the party, but also from the National Council.

It is expected to be attended by several prominent figures within the NPP, including president Nana Akufo-Addo, alongside Vice President and the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) flagbearer for the 2024 general elections, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Majority Caucus in parliament, among others.

The National Council, last Thursday, endorsed Bawumia’s decision after his meetings with the National Executive Council, and the National Steering Committee of the party.

By-election

Meanwhile, party is expected to hold primary at the Manhyia South Constituency to elect a new parliamentary candidate for the December poll, following the elevation of the MP.

The NPP last week Friday, approved the timeline for the contest, announcing that picking of nomination forms will begin on Monday July 8, 2024. Submission of nomination forms, is slated for the following day Tuesday July 9.

According to the general secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, the actual election, will be on July 14. Candidates are to pay non-refundable application fee of GH₵3, 000, in bankers draft payable to the National Headquarters in Accra, to complete the full compliance of the process for the contest on Sunday.

Six individuals, including Napo’s biological brother, are bracing themselves up for a fierce contest to succeed the dentist.

They include, Nana Owusu Afriyie Prempeh, who is constituency treasurer and younger brother of the vice-presidential candidate, a Deputy Chief Executive at the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, Nana Ama Timah, legal practitioner, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah and Akwasi Coker Gyambibi, also said to be a relative of the MP.

The rest are, Kingsley Bonsu Kyeretwie, the Constituency Second Vice Chairman and one Kwabena Addo Amankwah, have all declared their intentions and actively engaging delegates to garner their support.

There are expectations that, more may join in the contest, which is slated for this coming Sunday, July 14.

The party, has also made provision for women, the youth and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). These groups of people are being asked to pay 50percent of the actual fee for nomination.

They are also asked to pay reduced filing fee of GH₵17.500. The party puts the age of youth from 18-40 years.

“An aspiring parliamentary candidate (APC) shall procure nominations forms after the payment of a non-refundable application fee of GH₵3,000 in bankers draft in favour of the NPP national headquarters, Accra.

“To successfully file the nomination, an APC shall pay a non-refundable filing fee of gh35, 000 in bankers draft in favour of the NPP, Headquarters, Accra.

This means, they will be required to pay a non-refundable filing fee of GH₵17, 500.

To ensure clarity, we define a youth as an individual between the ages of 18 and 40,” the general secretary said in a statement.

The NPP, also indicated that no aspirant should face impediments when seeking to purchase the nomination forms, as it often happens in parliamentary elections in internal political party elections.

The Elections Committee (EC) designated for overseeing the electoral process comprises seven key personnel, including Chairperson, Danquah Smith Butey, Vice Chairman and regional chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Wontumi, and Secretary, Evans Nimako, among others.

The last time there was a by-election, was in May at Ejisu constituency in the Ashanti Region, after the shocking demise of the MP and Deputy Minister for Finance, John Kumah. The constituency is now being represented in Parliament by Kwabena Boateng.

Source: Anchorghana.com