Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a flagbearer candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has stated that the departure of even a polling station executive might be disastrous for any political party in any particular election.
As a result, he has warned that the NPP’s leadership must try to establish ultimate unity before the 2024 national elections.
He hinted that Alan Kyeremanten’s departure might spell catastrophe for the NPP’s political chances in the 2024 general elections.
He remarked that losing any party faithful to other political parties is a calamity.
“…you can’t play it down. We’re searching for figures, and politics is all about figures. So having one person turn his back on me is a tragedy. We’re all in this game together, and we must fight and win together. That’s how I feel.”
Speaking to the media in Accra about his chances in the NPP presidential primary and other issues, the former Minister of Food and Agriculture said politics is all about numbers, emphasising that a free and fair November 4 presidential primary will keep the flock together because no one will have anything to complain about.
Candidate with a Proven Track Record
Many of the candidates competing for the NPP’s flagbearer role have frequently criticised the party’s leadership for having a set candidate and whipping delegates to follow a specific line in favour of that candidate.
However, the Cambridge University-trained Economist disagrees, stating that “for me, it really has to do with the conduct and making sure that there is a level playing field for all the candidates.”
The former two-term Member of Parliament for Kwadaso seat in the Ashanti Region emphasised that the polling station executives and Electoral Area Coordinators should be the only established candidates in the race.
“Who are more established than those at the bottom?” They have more clout in deciding who would head the NPP. There are almost 200,000 of them. “They are the kingmakers,” he emphasised.
Dr. Akoto, who has worked in UN systems for over 18 years, expressed optimism that the procedures building up to the November 4 NPP primary will be peaceful and transparent, allowing all candidates to contest without fear.
On Monday, October 2, 2023, Ghana’s longest Minister for Food and Agriculture in the 4th Republic announced the postponement of his campaign travel to the Ashanti Region following the death of the former First Lady of the Republic, Theresa Kufuor, on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
Dr. Akoto stated at a news conference in Kumasi that the postponement of his campaign trip was a mark of respect for the former First Lady’s death.
He had formally scheduled his week-long journey to the Ashanti area to begin on October 2, 2023, by having strategic talks with important party members at various places around the area.
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This intended to increase attempts to garner support for his presidential campaign.
On November 4, 2023, the NPP will hold elections to choose a presidential candidate who would lead the party to the general elections in 2024.
Dr. Akoto is ranked third on the ballot. On August 26, 2023, he finished fourth in the Super Delegates Conference.
On November 4, 2024, almost 200,000 delegates are anticipated to vote in the National Delegates Conference.