On Saturday, August 26, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will hold its Super Delegates Conference ahead of its Primaries slated for November this year.
This significant day will serve as the initial gauge of their chances in the pursuit of the ultimate prize – the party’s flagbearership.
Among the ten aspirants are prominent figures, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Minister of Trade and Industries Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Minister for Energy Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, and former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.
Other candidates include Francis Addai-Nimoh, MP for Assin Central Kennedy Agyapong, Kofi Konadu Apraku, former Minister of Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former Attorney-General and Minister for Railways Joe Ghartey.
This crucial event, known as the Special Delegates Congress, is a vital component of the party’s constitutional provisions, outlined in Article 12, which governs the election of the party’s presidential candidate.
Specifically, Clause 5, subsection b – 12 (5) (b) addresses the scenario when there are more than five contestants for the nomination.
According to this clause, a Special Electoral College will cast secret ballots to shortlist the first five contestants. The Special Electoral College comprises various party delegates, including the National Council, National Executive Committee, Regional Executive Committees, National Council of Elders, Members of Parliament, representatives of special party organs, past National Officers, representatives from external branches, founding members, and card-bearing Ministers of the New Patriotic Party when the Party is in government. Each delegate has one vote.
To facilitate this process, regional voting centers have been established across the country. The elections are scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2023, and this decentralization aims to ensure widespread participation.
Vice Chairman of the NPP Presidential Elections Committee, Kwabena Abankwah-Yeboah, announced these centers during a press conference in Accra on Monday, August 22, 2022. All aspirants and their teams have been duly informed of these arrangements.
Below are the regions and their corresponding polling centers as announced by the Committee:
1. Ashanti – KNUST, Law Faculty, Kumasi
2. Ahafo – Pastoral Center, Goaso
3. Bono – Pastoral Centre, Sunyani
4. Bono East – Kokroko Social Centre, Techiman
5. Central – Quadrangle, UCC, Cape Coast
6. Eastern – Koforidua Secondary Technical School
7. Greater Acera – YMCA, Adabraka, Accra
8. Northern Region – Tamale College of Education, Tamale
9. North East – Nalerigu Secondary School
10. Savannah – Damango Youth Center
11. Upper East – Bolgatanga Technical University Library Complex
12. Upper West – Old UDS Campas, WA
13. Oti – Dambai College of Education
14. Volta – Catholic Secretariat (Bishop Konings Centre), Ho
15. Western – Great Hall, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi
16. Western North – Pastoral Center, Sefwi-Wiawso
17. National Headquarters, NPP HQ, Asylum Down
This is not the first time the party is holding a super delegates conference. The current instance marks the second occurrence in the party’s history.
Back in August 2014, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) witnessed a similar scenario when seven candidates vied for the coveted flagbearership position ahead of the 2016 general elections.
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, a two-time presidential candidate for the party, was among the contenders. His main competitors included Alan Kyerematen, Addai Nimoh, Joe Ghartey, Kofi Osei Ameyaw, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, and Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku.
The special election saw the participation of 787 delegates, comprising constituency chairmen, regional executives, members of parliament, national executive committee members, founding members, and members of the Council of Elders.
In total, 740 votes were cast, with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo emerging as the dominant frontrunner. He secured 598 votes, amounting to an impressive 80.78% of the total. Alan Kyerematen garnered 59 votes, which accounted for 7.98% of the votes.
A tie emerged between Addai Nimoh and Joe Ghartey, both garnering 22 votes each, representing 2.98% of the overall votes cast.
Following closely, Osei Ameyaw secured the fifth position with 16 votes, equivalent to 2.17% of the total.
Unfortunately, Stephen Asamoah Boateng and Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku fell short of progressing to the final race in October, as they received the lowest number of votes, with 13 and 10 votes, respectively.
Subsequently, the NPP held its conclusive congress on October 18th, 2014, to determine the ultimate flagbearer who would lead the party into the 2016 elections.