The Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has emerged as the favored candidate among New Patriotic Party (NPP) members to be the running mate of the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, according to a recent survey by the National Investigation Bureau (NIB).
The survey engaged 5,116 NPP delegates from across the nation, encompassing national, regional, constituency, and polling station executives. The results revealed that Dr. Opoku Prempeh secured a commanding 76.2% of the responses, positioning him as the top choice among party members.
Trailing behind him was the Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, who received 10.16% of the delegates’ support. Other notable figures considered for the role include Apostle Opoku Onyinah, former Chairman of the Pentecost Church-Ghana, and Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Agriculture and MP for the Abetifi Constituency.
With the 2024 general elections just six months away, Dr. Bawumia faces the critical decision of selecting a running mate from among the party’s prominent figures. The survey also highlighted a strong consensus among respondents that the running mate should be chosen from the Ashanti Region, with approximately 84% of participants advocating for this preference.
The NIB report underscores the appeal of Dr. Opoku Prempeh, noting his charisma and widespread popularity among party members as key factors in his favor. However, it also cautions Dr. Bawumia to consider potential challenges associated with Dr. Prempeh’s current role as Energy Minister.
“Given Dr. Prempeh’s current role as the Minister of Energy, the ongoing power crises in Ghana could impact his candidacy. Therefore, the government may need to implement necessary measures to solidify his competence in managing the energy sector, thereby enhancing the party’s prospects in the 2024 general elections,” the report advised.
As the NPP gears up for the upcoming elections, the selection of a running mate remains a pivotal decision, one that could significantly influence the party’s performance and appeal to voters.