Sources say President Akufo-Addo has been informed of the identity of the running mate of the flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is also his Vice.
According to JoyNews, Dr Bawumia personally informed his boss of his intention to contest the 2024 general elections with Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as Napo, as his running mate.
It is reported that the president accepted the nominee Dr Bawumia presented and offered some counsel on Tuesday night at the Jubilee House.
Sources say Dr Bawumia broke the news to President Akufo-Addo as follows:
“…He was first elected to Parliament in 2008 and won re-election in 2012, 2016 and 2020. He served on the Health Appointment and Defence and Interior Committees of Parliament.
“In 2017, President Akufo-Addo appointed him Education Minister and he now serves as the Energy Minister. The name is Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh also known as NAPO,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia was elected NPP flagbearer in December 2023 and is yet to officially communicate to the public his choice for running mate.
As this announcement remains unspoken, Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has been tipped as the front-runner in the race for the running mate position.
On June 15, 2024, a survey conducted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) indicated that the Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh was widely preferred among party members to be the running mate to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.
The survey engaged 5,116 NPP delegates nationwide, including national, regional, constituency, and polling station executives.
According to the study, Dr Opoku Prempeh secured 76.2% of the responses from executives polled.
Following him was the Minister of Education and MP for the Bosomtwe, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, who garnered 10.16%.