Opoku Onyinah addresses Bawumia’s running mate speculation

Former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Prof. Opoku Onyinah, has responded to speculation surrounding his potential selection as the running mate to New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Prof. Onyinah has emerged as a prominent candidate for the role of running mate to Dr. Bawumia in the upcoming December 7 election.

The distinguished religious figure sparked further speculation with a Facebook post on Sunday, which many interpreted as a tacit confirmation of the rumors.

In light of the diverse reactions to his post, Prof. Onyinah clarified in a subsequent message that the initial post was unrelated to ongoing speculations. He explained that the message was inspired by the Church of Pentecost’s 2015 theme and contained valuable lessons.

“Very interesting. I coined my last post when we (The Church of Pentecost) adopted the theme, “Being a Good Steward of God in my Generation” in 2015. I examined the man who received one talent and hid it in the ground. I then wrote, “The Lord has a reason for creating me. Burying my talent and making it redundant is doing a disservice to my family, church, nation, and world. If I fail to speak, to work, to contribute, I allow the ‘bad’ minority to rule and dictate. Often, the silence of the majority or a good one helps the noisy minority destroy society or even rule.” It has many lessons. Last night, I was looking for a quote that touched my heart on preaching to post it. As I could not find it and stumbled on this, I posted it. It has nothing to do with what is going on. Perhaps it has come at the wrong time. Timing is important. I still “keep my head” and place Christ first in whatever I do,” he wrote.

Since Vice President Bawumia’s selection as the NPP flagbearer on November 4, 2023, several names have been circulating as potential running mates.

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, has been rumored as a leading contender.

Other individuals such as John Ampontuah Kumah, Deputy Finance Minister and MP for Ejisu in Ashanti, and Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, have also been mentioned.

Additionally, figures like the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum (Minister of Education), Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (Majority Leader), and Ursula Owusu-Ekuful are reportedly under consideration for the position.