Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who is one of the four candidates in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership race has pledged to support any candidate elected to lead the Party in the 2024 presidential election after the party’s November 4 National Delegate Conference.
At a press conference in Accra on Thursday, Dr Akoto said the Party’s November 4 presidential primaries “is not a make-or-break issue for the Party.” He believes it is to elect one of the four candidates to lead the New Patriotic Party as its flagbearer ahead of the 7th December 2024 General Elections.
“The party’s National Delegate Conference only offers an opportunity for all of the four presidential candidates and members of the party to unite behind one person to lead the party to “break the 8” and not to break the Party”.
“The presidential race should not “break” the NPP but should unify the Party towards “breaking the 8” in 2024”.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto
Dr. Akoto Pledges Commitment To The Welfare and Ideals Of NPP
Dr Afriyie Akoto also emphasized that he is very committed to the welfare and ideals of the New Patriotic Party as he has demonstrated it in various instances through his service to the Party, an attribute he believes endeared him to the Party’s delegates.
“In this respect, let me state here categorically, that I am prepared to work equally hard for whosoever the delegates choose to lead this Party on 4th November 2023.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto
Dr. Afriyie Akoto therefore called on all candidates and party supporters to work together after the party’s National Delegate Conference to “break the eight” to retain the New Patriotic Party in power after the 2024 General Elections.
In concluding his statement at the press conference, Dr Afriyie Akoto thanked the delegates for the opportunity offered to him to participate in the main presidential primaries and called on his supporters to work tirelessly to secure victory for him on November 4.
Dr Akoto, the former Minister of Agriculture, and former Member of Parliament for Kwadaso secured 36 votes in the NPP’s Super Delegates Conference on August 26, 2023. He is in the race with the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and former Member of Parliament for Mampong, Francis Addai Nimo.
The party conducted the balloting for its presidential candidates ahead of the November 4, 2023, National Delegate Conference on Wednesday 13 September 2023.
At the end of the balloting, the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong picked number one while the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia picked ballot number two. Former Minister for Agriculture Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto picked the third number while former Member of Parliament for Mampong, Francis Addai Nimo picked the fourth number.
After the withdrawal of the former Minister for Trade and Industry, and four times aspirant in the New Patriotic Party presidential race, Mr. Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, many political analysts have suggested that the contest is now between the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
The New Patriotic Party is expected to hold its National Delegates Conference on November 4 to elect its flagbearer for the 2024 General Elections.