By Bright Ntramah and Mercy Darko
President Akufo-Addo has warned that Ghana cannot afford to return the governance of the country to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), under the leadership of former President John Dramani Mahama.
He has therefore asked Ghanaians to continue to have faith in the NPP and retain the party in government in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Addressing hundreds of supporters on Saturday, November 4, at the Accra Sports Stadium at the declaration ceremony of the party’s presidential primary, the President urged members of the party to work hard to ensure the party’s victory in 2024.
It was the end of an era for President Akufo-Addo, who since 2007 has been the leader of the NPP. A brief ceremony was held to officially hand over the leadership of the Party to his vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
For the first time in 16 years, the leadership of the NPP will not be under the tutelage of President Akufo-Addo.
Vice President Bawumia will now lead the party to the 2024 General election. According to the Constitution of the NPP, the flagbearer becomes the defacto leader.
Dr Bawumia becomes the first person with Northern origin and a Muslim to lead the NPP, a party deeply rooted in the ‘Danquah-Dombo-Busia’ ideals since the return to constitutional rule in 1992.
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that even though the upcoming 2024 presidential election will be difficult, with unity and determination among the rank and file of the party, they will be able to defeat the NDC for the third consecutive time.
President Akufo-Addo has therefore charged all party members to go out and campaign hard for the party’s victory. He also pledged his commitment to honour the party by helping it win the 2024 general elections.
Presidential Election Committee Chairman, Prof. Mike Oquaye, said it is up to the winner to unite the party for the 2024 general election. He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for ensuring an incident-free election.