It is reported that National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama, is considering picking Mr. Kojo Bonsu as his running mate for the forthcoming national general elections scheduled for next year.
According to a well-placed report at the party’s head office, his selection has received massive endorsement from the party’s leadership.
The leadership believes his rich experience as the former Mayor of Kumasi, Ghana’s second-biggest city, is a plus for the party, where it has proven a stronghold for the opposition NPP.
A party faithful who spoke on anonymity condition, per reports, said “This is good for us, the pair is perfect. During his tenure as Kumasi Mayor, he discharged his duty with utter professionalism. He scored full marks, and his legacy is there for all of us to see. The forthcoming elections will be keenly contested, and we need someone like Kojo to ensure we recapture the seat for our great party.”
During his tenure as the National Sports Authority (NSA) boss under the Professor Atta-Mills regime, Kojo Bonsu succeeded in bringing about significant changes in the sports fraternity.
His rich managerial expertise was evident in the day-to-day running of GOIL, where he served as the board chairman. As a Board Member and Managing Director of GOIL, he played a crucial role in the company’s re-branding, transforming it into the largest Oil Marketing Company (OMC) in Ghana. Kojo Bonsu’s business acumen and influence have been instrumental in GOIL’s success.
He is also remembered for his contributions to the football community, particularly for ensuring that kits for teams in the country met high-quality standards during his tenure as the Adidas representative for West Africa.
A former Mayor of Kumasi and businessman, Kojo Bonsu, has questioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) about the methods it used in implementing the Free SHS policy despite the country’s economic woes.
The politician said that even if one wants to venture into Free SHS, it shouldn’t be 100 percent. A part payment will suffice.
The former Mayor of Kumasi was speaking in an interview with Ghanaweb TV.
In the interview, the politician said that Free SHS under Ghana’s current economic climate is not doable.
“Who told them to come and do free SHS? …that’s what is killing us,” Kojo said.
“If the children are not going to school, you give part of school fees payment or find a way of handling it and get more people into going to school than to go 100 percent free SHS; tuition free, accommodation free, everything, school uniforms free. It’s something, I mean, you can’t do it.
The opposition National Democratic Congress in the lead-up to the 2020 general elections, promised to review the Free SHS policy if the party is elected into power.
While the opposition argued for a need to review the policy to adjust to the nation’s financial standing, the ruling New Patriotic Party, on the other hand, equated the NDC’s position to a call for the cancellation of the policy.
The ruling New Patriotic Party, however, maintains that there will be no cancellation of the Free SHS policy.
Ghanaian politician and businessman, Kojo Bonsu, has revealed that he is considering to shutdown his businesses as a result of the country’s economic woes.
According to him, Ghana’s current economic climate is the most challenging he has witnessed in his lifetime.
“My businesses are struggling. I just had a meeting and I’m even going to close down,” he said.
Kojo Bonsu also urged the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led administration to desist from constantly blaming COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War for Ghana’s impoverished state.
He said that he believes that the country’s economy was already in ruins before the aforementioned misfortunes struck.
“The most challenging? Yes. If you talk about Ukraine and COVID, before COVID, we had a lot of business problems. So, I wouldn’t see why government always talks about COVID and the Russia-Ukraine War.
“It’s the way they’ve handled things. They haven’t put their mouth where it fits. They haven’t cut their coat according to their size. Unnecessary expenditure has brought Ghana into this situation. They waste money, so, definitely, the citizens of this country may have problems,” he added.
Businessman and politician, Kojo Bonsu, has revealed that he will jump at the opportunity to be John Dramani Mahama’s vice should it be offered.
The contender in the just-ended NDC presidential primaries stated that he is not perturbed about his loss in the primaries hence, will do anything and everything possible to see Mahama win the 2024 polls.
The former Mayor of Kumasi was speaking to Daniel Oduro on The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV.
In the interview, the politician said that he will be glad to work with the flagbearer of the NDC, John Mahama if he believes that he is fit to be his running mate.
“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has the prerogative and if he believes that Kojo Bonsu can do it, why not? We are united and I’m going to give him my all to support him well.
“So, when he chooses me as his vice, bingo! And we are going to work in tandem to make everything work very well,” the politician said.
Kojo Bonsu, however, added that, if no such opportunity arises, he will move to wherever National Democratic Congress believes his expertise is needed and do his very best.
Asked if he has any position he prefers should the NDC recapture power in 2024, Kojo Bonsu said he is ready to serve in whatever capacity and thus has no preferences.
“I wouldn’t want to choose any portfolio. The party knows me, the party knows what I can do. Wherever they put me and see that I have the expertise to do it, I would love to do it,” he added.
Kojo Bonsu contested John Dramani Mahama in the just-ended NDC presidential primaries with the latter polling over 98 percent of the votes cast to emerge as the party’s flagbearer.
The politician also served as a Mayor for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly under the NDC flagbearer, John Mahama’s administration from 2013 to 2016.
A presidential aspirant in the just-ended primaries held by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Bonsu, is optimistic about the return of a former stalwart of the party, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
Wife of the late former President, Jerry John Rawlings, said to be the founder of the NDC parted ways with the party in 2012 after failing to secure the flagbearership position in 2008 in a contest against the late former President John Evans Atta-Mills.
Due to some internal issues with the leadership of the party, she left to form the National Democratic Party (NDP).
It has been over a decade since she left the NDC and has never made signs of ever returning, but Mr Kojo Bonsu, is however confident of her return.
In an interview with CitiTV’sUmaru Sanda Amadu on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, he said “she will be back. Oh yes, it is time. It doesn’t matter. She can be an elder in the party. Because she was part of it.”
According to the former Kumasi Mayor, it would be unfair to discredit the former First Lady of her work while with the party.
Mr Bonsu noted that it would be morally wrong should she be denied entry upon a request as “two wrongs don’t make a right.”
Touching on the relevance of her return, Mr Bonsu noted that her presence will boost the party’s numbers at a time they deem critical – ahead of the 2024 general elections.
“I believe we need numbers. In politics, it is numbers. Even if she comes with 20 people, it is still numbers because you win an election 50% plus one. She has numbers. She did well in 2020 or 2016 in the Volta Region. So why not. I believe if we all come together and unite, it makes our party stronger,” he stated.
Mr Bonsu revealed that he has had interactions with the former First Lady with regards to her return but never did they come to a conclusion.
“My hope…I am asking her to return. We have spoken about it, not into it fully. She is somebody is who is a bit hurt and we need to wash it off slowly, gradually and bring her back,” he added.
Former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, who was unsuccessful in his quest to become the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) flagbearer for the 2024 elections has revealed that he never stood a chance in the presidential race.
Mr Bonsu went up against former President John Dramani Mahama in the party’s primaries held on May 13, 2023.
Ahead of the elections, the former president was tipped as the winning candidate but this did not persuade Mr Bonsu from throwing in the towel.
Although Dr Kwabena Duffuor withdrew from the race due to some alleged inconsistences with the voters register, Mr Bonsu did not back down despite corroborating his claims.
After the elections, Mr Bonsu has finally admitted to the fact that he never considered himself a worthy opponent to Mr Mahama to begin with.
“To be honest, I didn’t believe I could beat former President Mahama from the start,” he said on Citi TV’s Face to Face.
But he quickly added that “I was hoping that maybe people would change their minds and vote for me.”
Over 356,000 delegates participated in the party’s primaries held in a total of 420 voting centres across the country.
After counting was done, Mr Mahama secured 297,603 of the votes cast, representing 98.9% to beat Kojo Bonsu, who garnered 1,381 votes, representing 1.1%.
Mr Bonsu in his interaction revealed why he decided to contest despite knowing the odds were not in his favor.
According to him, he had identified a challenge with Mr Mahama’s campaign strategy, and the only way for the former president to work on that deficiency was for him to contest.
“We would not have known that there are problems down there because there are areas that he [Mahama] wouldn’t have visited. But because of these primaries, he [Mr. Mahama] went everywhere. Normally, he would only focus on certain regions, but now he has been everywhere.”
The former Kumasi Mayor also registered his displeasure with Dr Duffuor over his decision to file an injunction against the party’s primaries.
He said: “I did agree with him on the photo album, but I didn’t think he should have taken the matter to court. It was an internal issue that we could have resolved internally. It wasn’t a serious problem.”
“He could have gone to court earlier, but waiting until the last minute gives the impression that you have ulterior motives to disrupt many things,” Mr Bonsu added.
Dr Duffuor eventually withdrew the injunction case from the court.
Meanwhile, Mr Bonsu has assured of his commitment to supporting the party at all levels to ensure it emerges victorious in the next polls.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has stated that former finance minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor, has congratulated him on his victory in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) just ended presidential primaries.
He also said Mr Kojo Bonsu has also done the same thing.
Mr Mahama tweeted “Both Dr. Kwabena Duffour and Kojo Bonsu have called to congratulate me for my 98.9% victory in Saturday’s presidential primaries. The contest is over. Cooperation is what we need to build #TheGhanaWeWant.”
Both Dr. Kwabena Duffour and Kojo Bonsu have called to congratulate me for my 98.9% victory in Saturday’s presidential primaries.
Mr Mahama polled 297,603 representing 98.9% of the total valid votes emerging as the flagbearer-elect of the NDC while his contender Kojo Bonsu managed to 3,181 representing 1.1% of the total votes.
Mr Kojo Bonsu congratulated him even before the official declaration by the Electoral Commission (EC).
“I have placed a call to H.E John Dramani Mahamato congratulate him for the landslide victory. Just as I have indicated throughout my campaign, regardless of the outcome of this election, I will continue to serve the NDC party, thank you” he tweeted.
Dr Kwabena Duffuor withdrew from the race on Friday, May 12 after stating that “My concerns that the party is not ready to conduct free and fair election is evident for all to see. Taking part in such would be akin to knowingly drinking from a poisoned calabash.
“After consulting with my support base nationwide, I have been left with no choice but to withdraw from the Presidential election as I cannot contest in an election which is blatantly fraught with irregularities regardless of all my efforts to draw attention to same.”
A disqualified National Democratic Congress(NDC) flagbearer aspirant, Kojo Bonsu, has urged party members to work together in order to support the mission to save Ghana from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The former Kumasi Mayor who failed in his bid to become the flagbearer of the opposition NDC said former President John Mahama’s landslide victory is a clear warning to the ruling government that the NDC together with millions of disappointed floating voters shall cause change at the polls in December 2024.
Mr Bonsu also called on Dr. Kwabena Duffour who withdrew from the flagbearership contest to consider the great value he adds and to join forces with the party to wrestle power from the nation-wrecking NPP.
“Now that our elections are over, first, I wish to congratulate H.E John Dramani Mahama for emerging victorious at the end of the day. His landslide victory is a resounding and clear warning the ruling government that the NDC together with millions of disappointed floating voters shall cause change at the polls in December 2024
“I also call on my senior comrade. Dr. Kwabena Duffour to consider the great value he adds and join forces with the party for us all to wrestle power from the nation-wrecking NPP.
“Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the electioneering process and the outcome of the election itself, we must now all join the rescue mission of liberating our mother Ghana from the modern-day imperialism and colonialism practiced in a benevolent democracy under this NPP government.
“What is ahead of us is far bigger than any spilled milk. We cannot afford to lose any single effort going into the 2024 general elections and we must be relentless in our united pursuit of victory. Together, we shall be invincible.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama has slammedPresident Akufo-Addo for failing to combat corruption throughout his six-year tenure in office.
Mr Mahama told supporters of his party on Monday, May 15 that President Akufo-Addo has failed in his fight against corruption.
For him, the 5th President of the Fourth Republic no longer makes ‘corruption’ his pep topic in his public utterances.
“[This is] because corruption has defeated him hands down.”
Mr Mahama was speaking at the University of Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, Northern Region a day after he was overwhelmingly re-elected Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The former President polled a whopping 98.9 percent to beat Kojo Bonsu and Dr Kwabena Duffuor, who withdrew his candidature a day before the polls.
Mr Mahama said his fight against corruption will see him look further into the Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng report on the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) if elected in 2024.
He said the report of the respected heart surgeon has opened a can of worms.
The potential four-time Presidential Candidate of the NDC suspects the current government will sweep the report under the carpet as Mr Akufo-Addo usually does.
He called him a “clearing agent”.
“We shall pursue this matter further and make sure justice is done,” he stressed on the IMCIM report penned on Friday, March 19, 2021.
Incumbent MP for the Bolgatanga East Constituency, Dr Dominic Akuritenga Ayine, has advised his constituents to avoid “skirt and blouse” voting.
That, he said, could become inimical to the fortunes of the party in the area. Dr Ayine who polled 292 votes out of 416 to be retained as the Parliamentary candidate of his constituency said winning with more votes should be their focus.
His contender , Dr Emmanuel Abeireinya garnered 121 votes and the presidential and Mr John Mahama former President of the NDC pulled 412, and Kojo Bonsu three . Dr Ayine, thanked all delegates and his contender Dr Abeireinya and his supporters.
He reiterated an earlier call made to the NDC membership in the constituency that the election was an eternal contest and should be devoid of insults and intemperate language. He thanked the constituency executives , who indicated had a constitutional mandate to organize the election and said the NDC’s victory in 2024 depended on the branches and in 2012 when the NDC was in court it was made clear and for a successful election to take place depended on the polling stations.
Dr Ayine thanked the Electoral Commission, the District Commander of Police and his men for security and peaceful election, as well as the media. Dr Emmanuel Abereinya in a statement thanked the delegates and his supporters and pledged his support to the winner.
Former President John Dramani Mahama exhibited sportsmanship at the just-ended National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries that took place on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
The party elected the former President as flagbearer to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.
Mr Mahama secured 297,603 of the votes cast, representing 98.9% to beat his only contender, former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, who garnered 1,381 votes, representing 1.1%.
Former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor did not contest as he withdrew from the race due to alleged inaccuracies with the party’s voter register.
For many, Mr Mahama’s win comes as no surprise as he was tipped to win, however his comment after was not expected.
Aside from thanking the delegates for the support, he extended his appreciation to his only competitor, Kojo Bonsu and former contender, Dr Duffuor.
He said “I also want to thank Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Mr. Kojo Bonsu for their contest. My appreciation also goes to Mr. Ernest Kobea who pulled out to support me in this contest.”
According to him, “their taking part in this primary has cemented our party’s enviable record as the most democratic political tradition in the country.”
Below is his full statement…
Fellow Akatamansonians, and the good people of Ghana.
A while ago, the results of the 2024 presidential primaries was officially declared.
I am humbled by the overwhelming vote of confidence reposed in me by the party.
I want to thank God for bringing the NDC this victory. Traversing the country for all these days, weeks and months without any fatalities can only be by God’s special grace.
My profound gratitude goes to the delegates of our party for their warm welcome, active engagement, and participation during my tour.
In your usual astute manner, you turned up in your numbers, across the country, to vote in our party’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
I also want to thank Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Mr. Kojo Bonsu for their contest. My appreciation also goes to Mr. Ernest Kobea who pulled out to support me in this contest. Their taking part in this primary has cemented our party’s enviable record as the most democratic political tradition in the country.
Let us disagree to agree, but let us keep our collective sights firmly on the supreme objective of the NDC leading Ghana out of the current abyss the country is in.
I also ask for cooperation among all elected parliamentary candidates and their respective aspirants and supporters in the constituencies. Our party is the winner because there are no individual winners and losers in this intra-party contest.
I want to thank my campaign and operational teams for keeping their focus and delivering a clean campaign.
I thank our donors and financiers for your support; the media for propagating our message and all our religious and traditional leaders who prayed on our behalf for the peace and success we have achieved today.
On Monday, at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, I will join a teeming number of the rank and file of the NDC and Ghanaians in general, to deliver my formal acceptance speech.
The elected flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has urged the party members to concentrate on guiding Ghana out of its current crisis.
Mahama said this in hi victory speech delivered minutes after he had been declared winner of the presidential primares of May 13,2023.
Below is the full statement by Mr. John Mahama
Fellow Akatamansonians, and the good people of Ghana.
A while ago, the results of the 2024presidential primaries was officially declared.
I am humbled by the overwhelming vote of confidence reposed in me by the party.
I want to thank God for bringing the NDC this victory. Traversing the country for all these days, weeks and months without any fatalities can only be by God’s special grace.
My profound gratitude goes to the delegates of our party for their warm welcome, active engagement, and participation during my tour.
In your usual astute manner, you turned up in your numbers, across the country, to vote in our party’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
I also want to thank Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Mr. Kojo Bonsu for their contest. My appreciation also goes to Mr. Ernest Kobea who pulled out to support me in this contest. Their taking part in this primary has cemented our party’s enviable record as the most democratic political tradition in the country.
Let us disagree to agree, but let us keep our collective sights firmly on the supreme objective of the NDC leading Ghana out of the current abyss the country is in.
I also ask for cooperation among all elected parliamentary candidates and their respective aspirants and supporters in the constituencies. Our party is the winner because there are no individual winners and losers in this intra-party contest.
I want to thank my campaign and operational teams for keeping their focus and delivering a clean campaign.
I thank our donors and financiers for your support; the media for propagating our message and all our religious and traditional leaders who prayed on our behalf for the peace and success we have achieved today.
On Monday, at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, I will join a teeming number of the rank and file of the NDC and Ghanaians in general, to deliver my formal acceptance speech.
See you in Tamale.
May God bless us all, and I thank you for your kind attention.
In the ongoing NDC primary, Kojo Bonsu, a candidate for the party’s flagbearer position, has conceded defeat to former President John Dramani Mahama.
Voting has long ended but counting of ballots and collation in the presidential race is yet to end. Election officials expect to conclude the entire exercise by 10pm.
In a Facebook post, the former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu said he has called John Mahama to congratulate him on his landslide victory in the presidential primaries.
While the party is yet to officially announce polling results, John Mahama’s side is predicting at least a 98% win in the election.
“I have placed a call to H.E. John Dramani Mahama to congratulate him for the landslide victory. Just as I’ve indicated throughout my campaign, regardless of the outcome of this election I’ll continue to serve the NDC party,” he said in a Facebook post.
Kojo Bonsu was John Mahama’s only contender in the NDC presidential primary following former Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffour’s abrupt withdrawal from the race on Friday citing electoral irregularities.
Provisional results so far point a lopsided contest, with former President John Mahama sweeping virtually every constituency votes.
Former President,John Dramani Mahama has made his first public statement after emerging flagbearer at the just ended National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) presidential and parliamentary elections.
In a landslide victory, the former president polled 297,603 (98.9%) against his contender Kojo Bonsu who polled 3,181 (1.1%) in the election held on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
The Electoral Commission’s returning officer made the declaration in the wee hours of May 14, 2023.
In his speech, he said he was humbled by the vote of confidence and described the outcome as a victory for the NDC as a whole.
He thanked God for a campaign that was largely incident free as he crisscrossed the country to canvass for votes.
He reserved thanks for constituency executives for their support during his trips across the country.
He also thanked the three contenders in the race, Dr. Kwabena Dufuor, who withdrew at the last minute and Kojo Bonsu who was his only challenger.
Mahama reminded the party that their eyes must be on the ultimate prize which is to win political power come 2024.
John Dramani Mahama became president of Ghana ahead of the 2012 general election after succeeding his boss, John Evans Atta Mills following his demise.
The NDC later put John Mahama up as its presidential candidate in the 2012 presidential election where he clinched victory from his closest contender, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party.
John Mahama in 2016 lost power to Nana Akufo-Addo and subsequently failed to recapture power in 2020 when he was elected flagbearer of the NDC.
Ahead of the 2023 presidential primaries, John Mahama enjoyed wide endorsement within the NDC and was presumed the party’s flagbearer in waiting.
Ahead of the election, Dr Duffuor who is a former finance minister under the erstwhile NDC administration led by John Evans Atta Mills, had sought an interlocutory injunction against the party from going ahead with the election.
At the hearing of his application inAccra High Court barely 24 hours before the election, Dr Duffuor’s lawyers informed the court that they had been instructed by their client to withdraw the application.
Later at a press conference on Friday, Dr Duffuor announced his resignation from the flagbearership contest.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has elected former President John Dramani Mahama to run on the ticket of the party in the 2024 general elections.
Mr John Mahama secured 297,603 of the votes cast representing 98.9% to beat his only contender, former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, who garnered 1,381 votes.
Over 356,000 delegates participated in the party’s primaries held in a total of 420 voting centers across the country on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
275 constituencies took part in the presidential elections while 259 constituencies partook in the parliamentary elections.
Mr Kojo Bonsu has congratulated Mr Mahama over his landslide victory. According to him, this was done via phone call.
In a Facebook post, Mr Bonsu pledged his continuous support for the party and to ensure the NDC wins the 2024 elections.
“I have placed a call to H.E. John Dramani Mahama to congratulate him for the landslide victory. Just as I’ve indicated throughout my campaign, regardless of the outcome of this election I’ll continue to serve the NDC party,” he said in a Facebook post.
In 2019, Mr Mahama, who first served as Vice President under the late John Evans Atta Mills from 2009 to 2012 and then President from 2013 to 2016, was elected as flagbearer to lead the party into the 2020 polls after failing to win the 2016 general elections.
Mr Mahama secured an overwhelming 213,487 votes representing 95.23 percent of the total valid votes cast with the other six contenders managing about 4 percent.
Former Vice-Chancellor of University of Professional Studies; Accra (UPSA), Prof. Joshua Alabi, then Member of Parliament for Nadowli/Kaleo, Mr Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin, Goosie Tanoh, former Trades and Industry Minister, Ekwow Spio Garbrah, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr Sylvester Mensah and Nurudeen Iddrisu were the other contenders.
Mr Mahama’s name is recorded in history books as the first former president in Ghana to run for presidency. Mr Mahama during the 2020 elections failed to bring the NDC from opposition.
President Akufo-Addo was declared the winner with 51.59%, ahead of the former president who received 47.37%.
He sent the matter to the Supreme Court but the apex court threw out the case.
As he prepares for the 2024 general elections, Mr Mahama has pledged to do among other things, erase payment of ex-gratia, strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and go after corrupt government officials and individuals in the country.
Should Mr Mahama emerge winner in the 2024 general elections, he would become the first-ever former President to run for presidency and emerge victorious.
As it stands now, it is unknown whom Mr Mahama will compete against from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) as they are yet to elect their flagbearer.
Presidential candidate in the National Democratic Congress’ primaries, Kojo Bonsu, who cast his vote at the Jubilee Park has entreated the rank and file of the party to respect whatever decision is taken by electorates today.
Despite holding the assertion that his chances are good, he noted that the goal of the elections is to ensure NDC had a good run in the 2024 elections.
“I want to tell everybody in the party that 2024 is our main goal, so we should all come together, vote wisely and make sure that this party has the strength to fight in the 2024 elections very well. My expectation is that, after the election today, we will all support it, 2024 is our goal. My chances are very positive.”
Reacting to the withdrawal of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor from the presidential race, Kojo Bonsu, a former Kumasi Major, said: “The most important thing is ‘die wufie asem’. I think it is a family matter. We are one big family, what has happened is our family matter.”
After encountering some setbacks prior to the primaries, the NDC finally resolved the issues, paving the way for the exercise today, Saturday, May 13, 2023.
One of the flagbearer hopefuls, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor had sued the NDC, citing some discrepancies and refusal to furnish him with the party’s photo album.
Although he subsequently withdrew the case from court, Dr. Duffuor later pulled out of the presidential race leaving two persons –John Dramani Mahama and Kojo Bonsu — in the contest.
The National Democratic Congress(NDC) will today, Saturday, May 13 choose a flagbearer and parliamentary candidates for the 2024 general election.
This follows the withdrawal of the injunction case filed by one of the three flag bearer aspirants, Dr Kwabena Duffuor.
However, Dr Duffuor did not only withdraw the case, but also pulled out of the presidential primary, leaving the contest now in a two-man race between former President John Dramani Mahama and former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive, Kojo Bonsu.
In withdrawing from the elections, the former Minister of Finance yesterday evening in a press conference explained that his decision was based on his grievances with the processes leading to the party’s upcoming primaries; especially the voters register.
He said the exercise had been marred by a lot of irregularities; which had not been resolved by the leadership of the party.
He, therefore, announced that he would no longer vie for the flagbearership of the NDC. However, he would still keep in touch with the grass roots.
“As at this time, the party has begun distributing the ballot papers to the various regions and constituencies without our involvement. I wish to reiterate my commitment to the party and grass roots however, my concern that the party is not ready to conduct free and fair elections is evident for all of us to see.
“Taking part in such an event will be akin to knowing drinking from a poisoned calabash. After consulting with my support base nationwide, I have been left with no choice but to withdraw as I cannot contest in an election blatantly flawed with irregularities regardless of all my effort to draw attention to the same,” Dr Duffour said.
Court action
This came hours after Dr Duffour withdrew the suit he had filed against the NDC following what he said were some discrepancies his team had identified in the party’s voters register to be used for the exercise.
Last Monday, he dragged the party to court, praying that the election should not be held until a complete register was delivered to his camp and the two other presidential aspirants at least five weeks ahead of the election.
The writ said a sizeable number of the eligible voters had no photographs exhibited on the voters register, making it impossible to conduct any meaningful verification exercise on those affected.
He also alleged that the number of constituencies on the hard drive given to his representatives was 220 as against 228 constituencies.
The litany of allegations also included the fact that there were inaccuracies that rendered the photo album unviable for a free, fair and credible election, and that an exceptional list of 74,799 people had been created to take part in the election, while 3,910 eligible voters in the 220 constituencies had been disenfranchised.
However, when the court sat yesterday, his counsel, Opoku Amponsah, said he had instructions from his client to discontinue the case.
“The discussions came up this morning for which reason I could file the necessary processes,” he told the court.
The judge, Mariam Afful, subsequently struck out the application as withdrawn.
Election
Consequently, the elections are expected to go ahead this morning across the country.
The Electoral Commission (EC), which initially declined to supervise the polls due to the injunction process served on the body, has agreed to conduct the polls.
The Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the commission would go ahead to supervise and conduct the election.
Otherwise, the NDC stated at a news conference yesterday that it would resort to an internal mechanism to conduct today’s election, if the EC declined to supervise it.
The presidential primary will take place in 275 out of the 276 constituencies initially earmarked for the polls except in the Manhyia South Constituency, which will not vote in the parliamentary primaries too.
The parliamentary primaries will, however, be held in 212 constituencies, with 16 put on hold, and 47 going unopposed.
The head of the Elections Committee of NDC, Kakra Essamuah, told the Daily Graphic that a total of 356,624 delegates of the party were expected to vote in the election.
Delegates
They comprise branch, constituency, regional and national executive, former national executive, sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), former MPs and government appointees, NDC-appointed Article 71 Office Holders, and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives that served under the party’s government.
The rest are NDC-appointed former deputy and ministers of state, former Ambassadors and High Commissioners, former Members of the Council of State, presidential staffers who fall under Article 71 of the Constitution, foreign chapters and members of the NDC Professional Forum.
Some 692 aspirants are contesting the parliamentary primaries, and three in the presidential primary.
With Dr Duffuor’s withdrawal, the two remaining flag bearer aspirants are a former Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu, and former President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the breakdown, 259 constituencies will fully participate in both the presidential and parliamentary primaries.
Sixteen constituencies will participate in only the presidential and not the parliamentary, while Manhyia South would not take part in the election at all due to some internal dispute.
A leading member of the NDC, and candidate for the Flagbearer position of NDC, Mr Kojo Bonsu has urged parties contesting in the upcoming primaries to explore
An official release from the Kojo Bonsu campaign team said: “I am calling on my senior brother Dr Kwabena Duffour who is also a flagbearer aspirant for the NDC to withdraw the lawsuit from the court and make himself available to the Council of Elders, National Executives and the Election Directorate to deliberate and settle on an amicable solution to the current concerns of the election processes currently facing our great Party ahead of the Presidential / Parliamentary primaries scheduled for May 13, 2023.”
The release added “I believe the issues at stake can be resolved internally and amicably in unity.
“I urge Dr Duffour to exercise patience and look at the interest of the party at large as I know he means no malice or trouble but rather expects the right things to be done for a smooth election which is devoid of any obstacles for all to have a level playing ground.
“I also urge the National Executive to engage and continue to deliberate with stakeholders in order to resolve the concerns and help the election directorate to run a free, fair and transparent Presidential /Parliamentary primaries.”
Mr Bonsu pointed out that “lastly, I also call on our former president, former flagbearer who is also an aspirant to join the call for unity and amicable resolution of the current issues ahead of the Primaries.
“Long live the NDC, long live Ghana and may the Almighty bless and grant us a peaceful election now and a resounding victory in 2024.”
One of the three presidential aspirants of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Bonsu, has faulted the leadership of the party of the decision to rally their support behind former President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Mr Bonsu, who once served as the Mayor for Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, it is against the party’s rules for its Executives to declare support for a candidate running for a position.
“I’m doing a decent campaign. My issue is that the party has rules and the election regulations say that when you are an executive, you cannot support one person because you are part of the leadership of the party.
“But these things they are doing are wrong. Someone who wants a position would place his/her sticker alongside his contender and that’s not fair. Everybody is doing what they like, is that democracy,” he quizzed in an interview with Kumasi-base OTEC FM on Tuesday, May 9.
Former President John Mahama, former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor and Mr Kojo Bonsu want to participate in the 2024 Presidential elections on the ticket of the NDC.
Despite the current situation in the party, Mr Bonsu says he remains resolute in his efforts to emerge victorious.
According to him, such endorsement does not win elections as the NDC failed to win the 2016 general elections albeit millions showed support.
“I’m not discouraged, no way. I’m still focused, I’m a serious person. It doesn’t discourage me because, during the 2016 elections, there was a big rally in Accra, millions of people were there but after the elections were over, we lost over one million votes.
“So things like this do not frighten me,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Duffor has filed an interlocutory injunction at an Accra High Court to halt the primaries scheduled for May 13, over “faulty voters register.”
Flagbearer aspirant for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Kojo Bonsu is worried about some anomalies which he says exist in the party’s voter register.
His concerns come in the wake of a writ filed at an Accra High Court by Dr Kwabena Duffour indicating that the party failed to provide the required photo album register five weeks ahead of the elections as stated in the party’s rules.
He stated that a partial photo album register was given to his team on May 4, a few days ahead of the elections rather than in March when they had submitted a request for one.
The former Finance Minister asked the party to postpone its upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries scheduled for Saturday, May 13.
Mr Bonsu shares this sentiment. In an interview on Kumasi-based OTEC FM, the former Kumasi Mayor stated that this will provide ample time to fix the problem in the party’s electoral roll.
“They have to postpone the date of the election and rectify it [the alleged anomalies in the album]”, he said on Tuesday evening.
Per his assessment, the party risks being slapped with more legal actions if it neglects this concern and proceeds with the May 13 poll.
Former mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, has urged administrators of the new Kejetia market to promptly halt all traders from cooking inside the marketplace.
His call comes after fire gutted the new market recently destroying thousands of items running into millions of cedis.
The former mayor while addressing the matter indicated that management of the market must have a plan which should be executed to avert future fire incidents within the enclave.
“The fire that engulfed the market you could say it was a maintenance failure. I hear there were some carbide and something that brought the fire. So you cannot blame management for that. All cooking activities should come to a halt at the new Kejetia market,” the former Mayor of Kumasi opined.
Following the March 15 fire outbreak at the facility, aside from the shops that were directly affected, some other shops were asked to be closed down for a structural integrity test to be conducted before being allowed to operate.
The Vice President,Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, says the briefing he received from the Ghana National Fire Service indicates that a fire from a trader cooking at the new Kejetia market caused the inferno at the facility.
According to Dr. Bawumia, the shop owner was cooking inside her shop when the gas cylinder she was using caught fire spreading to a nearby chemical shop, thus destroying 33 shops out of 8,000 shops at the market.
He added that the chemical shop owner amongst others sells combustibles such as carbide, turpentine and gunpowder which exploded.
A trader at the market was arrested for cooking at the facility but was later granted bail.
The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development has thus inaugurated a 5-member committee to probe the recent fire incident.
The committee which has been tasked to make its findings ready within three weeks was constituted on March 17.
One of the candidates for the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) flagbearer race, John Dramani Mahama has taken the number spot on the ballot paper.
Former Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu, and former Finance MinisterDr. Kwabena Duffuorpicked the second and third slots respectively.
Chairman of the NDC Vetting Committee, Edward Doe Adjaho speaking to the media said the balloting was done after the successful vetting of the threecandidates.
The fourth candidate Ernest Kwaku Kobeah withdrew from the contest before the balloting was done. Ernest Kwaku Kobeah
The NDC’s Presidential and Parliamentary primaries are slated for May 13, 2023.
Ernest Kwaku Kobeah, one of the four potential flagbearer candidates for the National Democratic Congress(NDC), has been directed to return before the screening panel on Wednesday to complete the procedure.
He was one of two aspirants who appeared before the Vetting Committee on Tuesday, March 28.
Former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor took about one-and-a-half hours to go through the vetting process.
However, businessmen Ernest Kobeah took less than an hour.
“There is no issue,” he told journalists after the process was said to have been put on hold.
“Just [that] I need to come back tomorrow [Wednesday]. Everything is fine and successful.”
He expressed happiness about the reception given by the Committee, noting that “they welcomed me and talked to me like father and son”.
He is expected to present some documents for the vetting to complete.
Meanwhile, former Kumasi mayorKojo Bonsu will take his turn on Wednesday, March 29.
Presumptive candidate John Dramani Mahama was at the party headquarters on Monday, March 27 for his vetting.
An astute member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who is also eyeing the enviable slot of the party’s flagbearer, Kojo Bonsu, has decried the amount as presidential filing fees for the party.
The NDC recently announced a GH¢500,000 filing fee for all persons hoping to contest the party’s impending primaries to elect a new flagbearer.
So far, four names: John Dramani Mahama, Kojo Bonsu, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, and Ernest Kobeah, have picked up nomination forms, with a number of them accordingly going through their filing processes.
However, the former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, believes that the charge is just too much.
“It is a lot of money. I do not support it. Does it mean that if I do not have that amount of money, but I have the capacity and I’m competent enough to run for the leadership of the party, I can’t contest? And this is a social democratic party?” he said to journalists when he filed his nomination forms on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, a report from citinewsroom.com said.
He, however, told his supporters that they should be rest assured of his intentions to go through with this, knowing that he is not backing down.
He also said that, unlike the last time he made an attempt to be the NDC’s flagbearer in 2018, this time, he would not disappoint his constituents.
“You got it all wrong. The last time (2018), I did not go further to pick and file a nomination, but today, I have paid GHC 500,000. Do you think I will drop and let it go? I am not that rich. So, I will contest, and my chances are very bright”, he said.
In 2018, Kojo Bonsu backed down on his decision to run for the NDC slot, announcing that he would rather support whoever emerged victorious at the end of the primaries.
A former mayor of Kumasi and a candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer position, Kojo Bonsu, claims that despite the fierce competition, he will continue to run for the NDC presidency.
In the race set for May 13, the flagbearer aspirant will face strong competition from former President John Mahama and former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.
Mr. Bonsu declared his intention to run in the party’s Presidential primaries in 2018, ahead of the 2020 general election, but then dropped out and threw his support to the winner of the primaries.
However, the aspirant running for the second time says he is ready to lead the NDC in the upcoming general polls.
“The last time, I didn’t go further like this coming all the way to pick up nomination forms and filing. I have paid GH¢500,000, do I have to drop for this money to go? No way, I am not that rich, but my chances are very bright. I know what I am doing. It’s all about how you are able to do your things and how you are organized.”
He did, also, criticize the party for the approved nomination fee of GH¢500,000.
“I don’t support the nomination fees because it’s a lot of money. So, if I didn’t have that money and I had the acumen and competence to run the leadership of the party, does it mean that I can’t do it? And we are a social democratic party. I am a branding expert, and everybody knows that, so I am going to rebuild and rebrand the party.”
Addressing journalists after the submission of his nomination form, Mr. Bonsu said, “I want to thank my team for having time to come and receive me today. I appreciate all that you have done. It’s one party in the NDC, we have to do things together, the common enemy we are all looking for is not any individual in the party.”
In an effort to represent theNational Democratic Congress (NDC) as the party’s nominee in the general elections of 2024, the former president John Dramani Mahama will launch his campaign today, March 2, 2023.
‘Building the Ghana we want together’ will be the theme for launching his campaign which will take place in the Cedi Auditorium at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, in the Volta Region.
Aside from the former president, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, a former Finance Minister, Kojo Bonsu, a former Mayor of Kumasi, and Ernest Kobeah, a 43-year-old businessman based in the United Kingdom, are all running for the job.
The party is anticipated to conduct its presidential primaries on May 13, 2023.
After losing the previous two elections in 2016 and 2020, John Mahama intends to run for president again in the 2024 polls.
The former President, however, is confident that he has what it takes to assist the nation out of its current economic crisis.
Mahama’s former campaign manager, Joshua Alabi, and some Regional Chairmen of the National Democratic Congress picked up presidential nomination forms on his behalf.
Observers are backing calls for Mr. Mahama to go unopposed in the NDC’s upcoming presidential election.
Although the rules of the NDC permit an open contest for all qualified members of the party, allowing Mahama to go unopposed they believe will save the party both resources and time.
A political scientist and lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Abdul Jalilu Ateku, says he does not foresee any significant threat to the victory of Mahama in the NDC’s primaries.
Dr. Ateku anticipated that the former President will win by a landslide victory in the internal polls.
He said none of the presidential hopefuls who have declared their intentions to contest on the ticket of the opposition NDC comes out stronger than Mr. Mahama.
But the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said it is not perturbed about the decision of John Dramani Mahama to run for president.
Director of Communications for the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah said the party is not worried about a man who has no track record to show when he was president.
“We have beaten him twice, so you just conclude for yourself if we are afraid of him. It is all mathematical, and we have defeated him twice. He is even afraid to plainly declare whether he is going to contest or not. We are ready for him.”
Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, has asked the two contenders of former President John Dramani Mahama, to give up on their hopes to lead the NDC party, since Mr Mahama will win the Presidential Primaries hands down.
He says Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and Kojo Bonsu to stop attempting to compete against John Dramani Mahama for the flagbearership position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He explained that their competition is not what is important especially when the focus should be on how to give Ghana a better government and leaders.
Speaking with Oyerepa TV in an interview, the MP stated that the two other candidates are people who have contributed immensely to the development of the NDC but unfortunately, the flagbearer position is not one for them.
“They should stop it. They should let us focus on rescuing this country with John Mahama. They are people who have worked tirelessly and so hard for this country, especially Dr. Kwabena Duffuor; no one can write away the contribution he has made to the development of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Bonsu did a fantastic job when he was Mayor of Kumasi.
“He has been one of our branding gurus when it comes to party marketing and all of that, but this is not for them. They should just stop it, with all due respect, they should stop it and let’s focus on what is meaningful and what is feasible,” he stated.
The NDC announced the opening of nominations for presidential and parliamentary primaries from Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
According to a statement from the party, effective midnight of February 22, 2023, “nomination forms for parliamentary candidates will be accessible to all persons for purchase on the official website of the party; https://www.ghanandc.com.
“Nomination forms for presidential aspirants can be obtained from the Office of the General Secretary at the party’s headquarters at Adabraka, Accra, effective 8am tomorrow.”
Two prominent members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who have declared their intentions to contest in the upcoming Presidential primaries will file their nominations on Thursday, February 23, 2023.
The two are; Former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor and former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu.
This, was revealed by the Chairman of the Internal Elections Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Kakra Essamuah, who shared the itinerary for Thursday, February 23.
Dr Kwabena Duffuor is expected to pick his form first in the morning then later Kojo Bonsu.
On Wednesday morning, Joshua Alabi picked up the forms on behalf of the former president, including those of the national chairmen of various regions.
This was barely 24 hours after he declared his intention to run for president in the 2024 general election on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr. Mahama made the formal announcement when he met with the Minority caucus at his Cantonment office on Tuesday.
Joshua Alabi presented a Cheque of GHc30,000 as a nomination fee.
He expected to pay an amount of GHC500,000 as filing fee.
The election is expected to take off on May 13 in various constituencies across the country.
Aspiring flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Bonsu has called for a massive support for farmers in order to revive the challenged economy.
According to him, the country stands to benefit in the form of sufficient food production, supply and exports.
“You need to make sure that these local government offices will support the farmers. Now, when you support the farmers, we are going to get economic stability because we’re going to have food, and after food, we can use some for production and after that we can look at export, then we’re coming into economic stability,” he said.
Mr. Bonsu plans to drive the growth of the country on industrial farming if he becomes the leader of the country. He seeks to lay focus on cash crops such as; cocoa, cashew, cassava, tomato and maize, laying emphasis on yellow-maize farming, saying it is rear to see farms of that category.
The politician explained that although there are lots of farmers in the country, many of them are unable to embark on large-scale farming due to the lack of support from the government.
He therefore stressed the need for the government to supply the local government with industrial farming machines which can be rented out to farmers to embark on large-scale farming. This, he said helps reduce farmers’ huge expenditure on renting machinery.
Mr. Bonsu is a former Kumasi Mayor, a businessman and has served as a sports administrator for a number of football clubs in the country.
According to him, this is the time for him to run for the high office of the country on the ticket of the NDC.
He will be contesting against, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and possibly, former President John Dramani Mahama who is yet to announce his intent ahead of Election 2024.
While Mr. Bonsu commends the former President for his achievements during his tenure, he believes it is time to do things differently and that the person to do it is him.
A former mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, has said that the Kumasi market women adore him as a result of the Kumasi Kejetia Market Phase 1 he built for them.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Kojo Bonsu said many people did not believe the construction of the market was possible, but he did it.
“When I go to the market, the market women praise me; they say ‘you are the one we like’ and they praise me for the Kejetia market,” he told Osei Bonsu OB.
He explained that many people thought the project was not feasible, and the market women resisted relocation, but he managed to fence the place one night. According to him, the work had started by the time they came.
Kojo Bonsu has also said that the party can only win the 2024 general elections with him as the lead candidate and win the Ashanti Region.
He said the NDC’s bane over the years has been the votes from the Ashanti Region and he is the best person to curb that.
“If I become the flagbearer of the party, the NDC will secure a lot of votes in the Ashanti region. This means I will break the monopoly and split the votes NPP secures in the region. Even today, the market women at Central Market and Kejetia Market are all supporting my presidential bid. The women have said that if I become the leader of the party, they will all vote for me.”
“Today they see the vision and plan to develop Kumasi that we had,” he said.
Kumasi Youth Association (KUYA) in 2016 awarded Kojo Bonsu for standing out among all former Mayors of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.
According to the group, the innovation of the former mayor gave birth to the famous Rattray Park, Kejetia Market and renovated Prempeh Assembly Hall among other equally important monumental infrastructural projects in Kumasi.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate hopeful Mr Kojo Bonsu is sympathizing with Christian Atsu and his families following the recent infamous Turkey earthquake that has claimed thousands of lives.
Consequently, the former National Sports Authority (NSA) boss and the former Mayor of Kumasi has as a matter of urgency called on Ghanaians to intensify prayers for the missing former Newcastle United player.
The Ghana winger, who plies his trade with Hatayaspor has gone missing after the earthquake rubble in Turkey, and he is yet to be found by the rescue team.
In a release signed by his communication team, Mr Bonsu said “Whatever happens in any part of the world has a bearing across the world.
“That reality has hit home, especially following the major earthquake of last Monday, in parts of Turkey.
“That natural disaster has claimed many lives, and kept the rest of the world, on edge, given the mounting challenges faced by the rescue teams.”
The release added “Ghanaians have not been exempt from the anxiety of humanity, following the calamity.
“However, our particular interest rests in the timely rescue of our national, Christian Atsu, an ex-international, reported missing, since the huge earthquake hit Turkey.
“Although he has not yet been found, we have no recourse than to keep our hopes, alive, knowing, nothing is ever over until it is.
“So, to all Ghanaians, home and abroad, especially Atsu’s partner, children, parents, other family members, friends and teammates, I say, hang in, there.”
To him, Ghanaians should not rule out the possibility that he can be found, alive. It is never over till it is over saying.
A former mayor of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Kojo Bonsu has said that he is contesting former president John Mahama for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearership because of democracy.
According to Mr Bonsu, contesting the former president is not because of bitterness nor is it a sign of disrespect.
“So it is because of democracy that is why we are in the competition but not like we are challenging. It is not acrimonious, it is not disrespecting, he has been one of the former presidents of this country so I have to accord him all the respect”.
He, however, said that the rules of the party allow for new leadership to take over every four years.
Mr Bonsu explained that though John Mahama completed many projects for the party and country, that does not forbid him to contest the former president.
“We are talking about democracy. The party is a democratic party and the rules and regulations of the party are that every four years, we have to run for office leadership, so that is the reason.
“It is not competing with him just because he has done well or he has not done well, no, it is democracy that has allowed that”, he said.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Prime Morning, the NDC flagbearer aspirant asserted that he believes he can do better and perform well than John Mahama if given the nod.
He further explained that the former president has just a little time to transform the nation.
“There are a lot of things that I have that I personally can do better and do well.
“He has done his best, he’s one of the best that Ghana has ever had but even if he comes and wins, he is going to do four years and four years, you need a visionary leader who can complete eight years. With four years, time is very short. By the time you make your cabinet and everything, two years is gone.
“So you would have to have somebody who has eight-year term who can do a new phase.
Commenting on whether he was disappointed when the former president did to select him as his running mate in 2020, the aspirant said “no, it is life, you don’t expect to get everything that you want in this world.
A presidential hopeful for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Bonsu, has said that the party will struggle to secure victory in the general elections of 2024 if his face is not on the ballot paper.
According to him, Ashanti members of the NDC have not had the opportunity to lead the party into an election before, and as such, his election as the flagbearer will attract a lot of voters from the region to cast their votes from him.
Kojo Bonsu also explained that it has not been easy serving as a member of the NDC, especially in the Ashanti Region, for obvious reasons, but he has continuously stood his ground and worked hard to ensure the party becomes more attractive in the region.
Speaking in an interview with Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV and monitored by GhanaWeb, the former Mayor of Kumasi observed that although “data has shown that Ashantis predominantly vote for the NPP,” his election as a flagbearer will bring a “new era to the party (NDC).
“If I become the flagbearer of the party, the NDC will secure a lot of votes in the Ashanti region. This means I will break the monopoly and split the votes NPP secures in the region. Even today, the market women at Central Market and Kejetia Market are all supporting my presidential bid. The women have said that if I become the leader of the party, they will all vote for me.
“So, if they (delegates) refuse to elect me as flagbearer, it means the number of votes we are expecting to win the 2024 elections will decline because Ashantis won’t vote for any other NDC candidate but me. Without me as flagbearer, it will be very difficult for the party to win the elections, but if I am the flagbearer, the Ashantis will know that I am one of their own, and they will vote for me,” he told the morning show host, Kwesi Parker-Wilson.
The former football administrator also revealed that former President John Agyekum Kufuor once asked him to step down for John Dramani Mahama to lead the NDC into the 2020 elections.
He added that it was the reason he pulled out from that race.
“Former President Kufuor advised me to stay away from the contest and allow John Mahama to run because he has been fully marketed. He also told me that this is not my time and soon my time will come, so I listened to him and pulled out of the race,” he added.
Kojo Bonsu, however, admitted that he is yet to consult the former president on his latest attempt at the flagbearer position of the NDC but has stated that he is convinced that no amount of persuasion will compel him to back down on his quest to lead the party into the 2024 elections.
Watch the latest episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV below:
The Lowdown: Role of the diaspora in the development of Africa
CEO of the Aaron Manvel Foundation Millie Lorene Tucker and Gary Hope, the CEO of FLCC – Bring Back Hope Foundation underscore the need for the African diaspora to help develop the continent in this episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV. According to the women trying to make and create a change in Ghana, our forefathers were sold away and made to develop strange lands. Thus, coming back home and developing their home country is the best thing to do especially when resources are available.
