The Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, who has been nominated and confirmed as running mate to the flag bearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, says he does not take the nomination lightly and that he would work hard to ensure that the party breaks ‘the 8’.
According to him, the NPP boasts of a variety of astute individuals, thus making his selection as the running mate an honour.
“The NPP is enriched with numerous astute personalities, therefore, I recognise the significance of my selection and do not take it lightly,” he said, in his acceptance statement issued shortly after his confirmation on Thursday, July 4, 2024 in Accra.
The statement carried two subjects: expressing gratitude for his nomination and urging all to join hands to execute the party’s agenda to break the eight.
The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South constituency in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, expressed gratitude to Dr. Bawumia, President Akufo-Addo and the leadership of the party for settling on him, and his colleague MPs for the support.
He said, “I am deeply honoured today as the chosen running mate of the NPP. I am humbled to be nominated by our distinguished flag bearer, H.E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and endorsed unanimously by the National Council, in accordance with the provisions of the NPP Constitution.”
According to Article 12(b) of the NPP Constitution, the presidential candidate, in consultation with the National Council, nominates the vice presidential candidate. The nominee must be a known and active party member of at least five years standing.
DUTY-BOND
The Parliamentary Candidate for Manhyia South, popularly known as NAPO, said in his acceptance statement that he was duty-bound to extend his full support to Dr. Bawumia, as they work together to realise his visionary agenda of propelling Ghana to greater heights.
He considered the nomination “a call to higher service, a call to sacrifice and a duty to perform.”
NAPO called upon all members of the party to join hands to collectively strive to achieve the party’s ambitious goal of transforming Ghana into a prosperous nation.
He stated that he understood that the task ahead required collective effort and he, therefore, pleaded with every party member to come on board as they seek the mandate of countrymen and women once again to serve them.
“As I assume the role of running mate alongside my esteemed boss, H.E. Dr. Bawumia, I am committed to supporting him to prosecute a formidable 2024 campaign to break the 8-year election cycle and serve our beloved country diligently. Let us work together towards a brighter future for Ghana. My philosophies remain service and leadership,” he said.
MEETING
Following the submission of the chosen running mate to the party headquarters by Dr. Bawumia, on Tuesday, this week, the party arranged an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) and National Council (NC) meetings on Thursday, July 4, 2024 to deliberate on the choice, which resulted in a unanimous endorsement of NAPO as the running mate.
The meeting had the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin; the National Chairman, Stephen Ayensu Ntim; the Chairman of the Council of Elders, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang and the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, among others, in attendance.
Before the meeting ended, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh made an appearance before the NEC and NC to be introduced to them as the preferred choice.
CRITERIA
The General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, addressed journalists to announce the decision of the NEC and NC meetings, saying that the meetings unanimously endorsed the choice of running mate.
He ceased the opportunity to justify the choice by outlining the achievements of NAPO as the minister for education and later energy. He said that NAPO, an Ashanti, will complement Dr. Bawumia, a Northerner, to win the 2024 presidential elections for the NPP.
“If you were to ask me what Dr. Matthew Prempeh brings to the NPP presidential ticket: a bold, confident, hardworking, result-driven decisiveness, grassroots mobilisation, charisma, patriotism and demonstrable incorruptibility,” Kodua claimed.
He continued that NAPO, a leader with a clear track record of achievement, shares Dr. Bawumia’s vision of bold solutions for Ghana that are responsive to the needs, opportunities and challenges of the 21st century.
“In this respect, he complements our flagbearer in many significant ways, and the two enjoy a warm, personal relationship anchored in deep mutual respect,” he added.
The NPP General Secretary bangs his hopes on what he described as a great working relationship between Dr. Bawumia and Opoku Prempeh.
He remarked that the synergy between the two on the NPP’s presidential ticket, coupled with the campaign message, would help “the NPP to secure a third consecutive electoral victory on the 7th of December 2024, by the grace of Almighty Allah.”
