NPP Running Mate: Ameyaw Akumfi Advocate Merit Over Regional Background

A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the board chairman for the Public Procurement Authority, Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, has advised the NPP not to focus exclusively on selecting a running mate from the Ashanti Region.

This advice comes in the wake of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s election as the party’s flagbearer.

There have been rumours suggesting that the party may choose its running mate from the Ashanti Region because Dr. Bawumia hails from the northern part of the country.

Several names including Energy minister and MP for Manhyia South, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Education minister and MP for Bosomtwe and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs cum Majority leader and MP for Suame Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu have all emerged as potential candidates from the Ashanti region to partner Dr Mahamadu Bawumia for election 2024.

But the former Education Minister Prof Ekumfi who recently unsuccessfully contested for the National Chairmanship of the NPP believes the party should seek a candidate who can attract votes irrespective of their regional background.

Ameyaw Akumfi, in an interview with Citi News, expressed his view that the Vice President should have the opportunity to conduct his own search for a running mate rather than being imposed with one.

“We should allow the flagbearer to conduct his own search, while, of course, consulting. However, we need to focus on securing votes, and therefore, let’s evaluate individuals based on their merits. I don’t want us to insist that the running mate must come from a specific region. For instance, have the Nalerigu to Cheriponi roads been asphalted simply because we have a vice president from that part of the country? Gaining Ashanti votes is not solely dependent on having an Ashanti running mate; it’s about delivering for Ashantis.”

He further emphasized the need to prioritize securing votes for the party in the upcoming 2024 election rather than selecting a running mate solely based on their Ashanti Region affiliation.

“Given the current circumstances, we should choose someone who can help us secure votes, and that is our top priority at this moment.”