The competition to be the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 running mate has begun, barely 48 hours after the party’s nominee was chosen. There have been several names for the potential Bawumia running mates.
The potential Bawumia running mates are all to be from the Ashanti Region and also a surprise name coming in as well.
Following the NPP primaries on November 4, 2023, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia received 118,210 votes representing 61.47% of the vote, defeating his primary opponent, Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who received 71,996 votes (37.41%).
The issue of running mate has arisen, with Chief of Staff Frema Opare reportedly battling everyone for the coveted position.
Prior to the primaries, Kennedy Agyapong accused Bawumia of using the “running mate promise” to gain widespread support by promising various people that he would give them the slot.
So far, more than 11 names have surfaced, almost all of which are from the Ashanti Region.
Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah – The Surprise Candidate?
According to sources Apostle Professor Kwadwo Nimfour Opoku Onyinah, the well-known Ghanaian theologian and televangelist who served as Chairman of The Church of Pentecost from 2008 to 2018, is being seriously considered.
The church leader is said to have played a role in Dr. Bawumia’s popularity among Christian clergy, and his selection will strengthen Bawumia’s position within the Christian community.
Advocates for Onyinah also claim that he is from the Ashanti Region, which is critical to the NPP’s chances in the 2024 election.
Opanin Kwame Onyinah and Maame Rebecca Akosua Addai of Aduman gave birth to him in Aduman, Ashanti Region.
In 1993, Onyinah established the Pentecost International Worship Centre as a ministry of The Church of Pentecost. He earned a doctor of philosophy in theological studies from the University of Birmingham in 2002, as well as a master of theology in applied theology from Regents Theological College.
He is the last Apostle to walk alongside the founder of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor James McKeown. Onyinah joined The Church of Pentecost’s ministry in 1976 and has held a variety of positions, including rector of Pentecost University College, executive council member, and the church’s first International Missions Director.
Former Education Minister, NAPO
Many NPP members chose Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as his potential running mate even before Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia announced his candidacy. But it won’t be easy for him after the primaries.
Kennedy Agyapong, who has emerged as a key kingmaker following the recently concluded primaries, is one of his supporters for running mate.
While he has strong backing from Manhyia Palace and the party’s grassroots, his detractors accuse him of being a loose talker.
Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, was born on May 23, 1968 in Ashanti New Town, a suburb of Kumasi, and hails from Pakyi No. 2 in the Ashanti Region. He began his basic education at KNUST Primary and continued to Prempeh College in Kumasi.
Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
According to reports, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is quietly eyeing the opportunity without exposing himself. Oppong Nkrumah unsuccessfully lobbied for the position of Deputy Minister of Finance, but was swerved and kept at the Information Ministry.
Oppong Nkrumah was born in Koforidua, Ghana’s Eastern Region. His mother was a teacher, and his father taught before becoming a banker. He was born in Akim Anyinase.
Joe Wise
Joe Osei-Owusu, the Member of Parliament for Bekwai, also known as Joe Wise, has already announced that he will not seek re-election to the House of Representatives.
According to some sources, he is one of the people with whom Bawumia has a close relationship. However, his detractors claim he is a loose talker and temperamentally unfit for the role of running mate.
But he has already stated that he will not be returning to parliament. The four-term MP believes he has done enough for his constituents and the party in Parliament, so he has decided to step down so that a new face can take over as Member of Parliament for Bekwai.
The other potential running mates include Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Communication Minister, Education Minister and MP for Bosomtwe, Deputy Finance Minister, and John Kumah among others.
READ ALSO: NPP Primaries: Lists Of All Constituencies Kennedy Agyapong Won