The governing New Patriotic Party will today start the vetting of its presidential hopefuls for the 2024 general election.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Minister for Trade and Industry Alan Kyerematen and Energy consultant Kwadwo Poku will be vetted on day one by Prof. Mike Oquaye-chaired committee, which was inaugurated at the party’s headquarters on Friday.
The vetting committee will play a crucial role in assessing the eligibility and suitability of the presidential aspirants to represent the governing NPP in the upcoming internal primaries.
This will ensure that NPP’s democratic principles are upheld and that the chosen candidate aligns with the party’s vision for a prosperous future.
Members of the committee were carefully selected to ensure an unbiased evaluation of the presidential aspirants.
Other members of the Prof. Oquaye-led committee include Messrs Hackman Owusu-Agyeman; Kwasi Amoako Atta, MP for Atiwa West; O. B. Amoah, MP for Akuapem South; Stephen Abankwa Sekyere, former National Treasurer; Lord Oblitey Commey, Director of Operations at the Presidency; Lawyer Frank Davies; Mrs. Rita Talata Asobayire, a National Vice Chairperson and Adelaide Ahwireng.
The committee appointed Mr. O. B. Amoah as its spokesperson with Evans Nimako, NPP’s Director for Research and Elections as the Secretary for the Committee following its inauguration.
According to a schedule released by the vetting committee, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a former NPP general secretary; Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the MP for Assin Central and Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko, former energy minister will have their turns on Tuesday 4th July, 2023.
Then on Wednesday, former MP and minister, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto, the immediate past Minister for Food and Agriculture; Mr. Joe Ghartey, MP and former Attorney General, will take their turn with Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh also a former MP for Mampong, appearing on Thursday.
As the NPP proceeds with its internal processes, the nation eagerly awaits the outcome of the vetting committee’s deliberations.
NPP’s General Secretary Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong said the governing party is committed to maintaining transparency and fairness throughout this crucial phase of the presidential primary election.
Accordingly, the party appointed and inaugurated the vetting committee last Friday in accordance with Article 10(3)(F)(ii) of the Party’s Constitution.
The National Steering Committee, acting on behalf of the National Council, appointed Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, former Speaker of Parliament as Chairman of the Vetting Committee during an emergency meeting held on May 30, 2023.
Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong who inaugurated the Vetting Committee, emphasised the significance of upholding the Party’s Constitution and urged the Committee members to conduct a free, fair, and transparent vetting process.
NPP will be holding a special electoral college on 26th August, 2023 to choose five presidential hopefuls out of the 10 potential candidates who will be vetted.
The party will then organise delegates conference on 4th November, 2023 to elect its presidential candidate out of the five for the 2024 general election.
