The Electoral Commission (EC) will supervise balloting for position on the ballot paper for national office aspirants of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) today at the party’s national headquarters in Accra.
Secretary to the National Elections Committee of the NPP, Evans Nimako, who announced this, said the exercise would commence at 10:am though the day and asked aspirants to come on their own or get their dedicated agents to represent them at the event.
He indicated in a statement that the National Elections Committee of the NPP, chaired by former National Chairman, Peter Mac Manu, after extensive discussions with the prospective candidates and investigation of their documents, has recommended 48 persons to participate in the upcoming national officers’ elections slated for July 15 to 17, 2022 at the Accra Sports Stadium .
Chairperson
The statement said those approved to stand as candidates for the National Chairman position are Joseph Ayikoi Otoo, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, George Kwabena Abankwa-Yeboah, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi, Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Gifty Ama Asantewa Ayeh, and Sammy Crabbe.
Vice Chairpersons
Candidates for the Vice Chairman position are Rita Talata Asobayire, Nuworsu Ken-Wuud, Kiston Akomeng Kissi, Derek Kwaku Nkansah, Michael Omari Wadie, McJewels J. Annan, Ismael Yahuza, Danquah Smith Buttey, Edmond Peprah, and Alhaji Masawudu Osman.
General Secretary
For the General Secretary position, the statement said the contestants are John Boadu, Justin Kodua Frimpong, Iddrisu Musah, Frederick Opare-Ansah, Charles Bissue, and Ramseyer Ahmed Agyeman-Prempeh.
Treasurer
Applicants recommended to stand for the position of Treasurer are Collins Nuamah, Dr Charles Dwamena, Yussif Tedam, and Eileen Mary Posch Oduro.
Organiser
Candidates for the National Organiser position are Henry Nana Boakye, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, Eric Amoako Twum, Bright Essilfie-Kumi, Seth Adu-Adjei, and Nana Owusu Fordjour.
Women’s Organiser
The statement indicated further that the committee also approved Kate Gyamfua, Ellen Ama Daaku, and Hajia Sawudatu Saeed as the candidates for the Women’s Organiser position.
Youth Organiser
For the Youth Organiser, Abanga Fusani Yakubu, Salam Mohammed Mustapha, Prince Kamal Gumah, and Michael Osei Boateng were recommended to stand for the position.
Nasara Coordinator
The Nasara Coordinator position is being sought for by Abdul Aziz Haruna Futa, Issaka Muaza Kunata, Awal Mohammed, Sulemana Alhassan Atakpo, Abdul Rahman Diallo, Haruna Ismael, and Haruna Maiga.
The statement pointed out that two prospective aspirants for the position of National Women Organiser and National Youth Organiser, namely Abena Osei Bonsu and Klinsman Karikari Mensah Tumfuor respectively rescinded their decisions to contest.
The process of the National Officers’ Elections began with the opening nominations on June 8, 2022, which ended on June 12, 2022, with the filing of nomination papers happening between June 13 and 15, 2022.
Subsequently, the party subjected the aspirants to a vetting which was held between June 17 and 20, 2022, after which it released the vetting report, recommending 48 persons to stand for the various positions.
Prior to this, each candidate was made to pay a non-refundable nomination fee, with National Chairperson applicants paying GH₵20,000; Vice Chairpersons paying GH₵15,000; General Secretary – GH₵10,000; while all other positions paid GH₵8,000.
Special Wings such as the Youth, Women and Nasara applicants paid GH₵6,000.
All the prospective candidates were made to produce their biometric voter ID card issued by the Electoral Commission of Ghana in line with the party’s guidelines,
“A prospective candidate for any of the National Officers position shall be nominated by one (l) member of the party’s National Council and seconded by 20 known and active registered members of the party. All the seconders shall be in good standing,” the party said in a statement.
Debate
The contestants are expected to partake in a debate to be organised by the party to determine their abilities after the balloting.