The Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund and former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, has called on all interest groups in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to respect the decision that has been made by the flagbearer, regarding his choice of running mate and support Bawumia and Opoku Prempeh ticket, for the forthcoming elections.
According her, their success is the success of NPP, regardless of anyone’s preference and that should be our orientation and focus to spur us on to work harder to secure victory on 7th December, 2024.
In a statement issued in Accra over the weekend, Naa Torshie, who was one of the people that lobbied for the position, said she was confident in the formidable candidature of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr. Opoku Prempeh to lead the party to success in December 2024.
PRESS STATEMENT
The following is her full press statement;
I wish to extend my warm congratulations to Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (aka Napo), Member of Parliament for Manhyia South and Energy Minister, on his selection as the running mate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential aspirant for the upcoming elections.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) over the years has demonstrated his unflinching commitment to the ethos of NPP and contributed immensely towards the success and enviable achievements of the NPP government, through his impressive competence and accomplishments in high profile positions he has held in ministerial appointments.
As a well-grounded politician with an extensive experience in governance and legislation, and a drive to deliver impactful results to improve the fortunes of Ghana and the New Patriotic Party, I am confident in the formidable candidature of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr. Opoku Prempeh to lead the party to success in the upcoming elections in December 2024.
With the endorsement of Dr. Opoku Prempeh by the National Council of NPP, as the running mate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, I would entreat all NPP supporters to respect the decision and quickly close ranks to support the Bawumia and Opoku Prempeh ticket for the forthcoming elections.
Their success is the success of NPP, regardless of anyone’s preference and that should be our orientation and focus to spur us on to work harder to secure victory on 7th December 2024.
On this note, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all my supporters, fans and those who had confidence in my capacity to be a suitable running mate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
I am humbled by your kind gesture and confidence you reposed in me in this regard.
Now the hard work begins. Let us all join forces and work extra hard with a common purpose to BREAK THE 8 and secure a resounding victory for NPP to continue the good work of building a self-reliant economy and a thriving country.
Long live the NPP, Long live Ghana.
BAWUMIA’S CHOICE
It would be recalled that last week Thursday, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia submitted the name of Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, the Energy Minister, to the National Council of the party as his running mate. He had earlier in the week informed President Akufo-Addo about his choice of running mate.
Both President Akufo-Addo and the National Council of the party accepted his preferred candidate who would soon be outdoored.
Meanwhile, Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh has accepted the offer, saying 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.
EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE
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 his gratitude to Dr. Bawumia, President Akufo-Addo and the leadership of the party for settling on him, as well as his colleague MPs for the support.
He said, “I am deeply honoured today as the chosen running mate of the New Patriotic Party (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, also said 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.
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.”
