Dr. Prince Hamid Armah, Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim, and Deputy Minister for Works and Housing has called on the National Council of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to respect the party’s flagbearer choice, emphasizing the importance of unity as the party prepares for the upcoming National Council meeting.
In a Facebook congratulatory message to Dr. Yaw Mathew Opoku-Prempeh, Dr. Armah highlighted the significance of the flagbearer’s decision for the party’s strength and cohesion. He underscored that recognizing and respecting the chosen flagbearer is crucial for the NPP’s success in the 2024 elections.
“The hope is that the National Council of our great party will respect the choice of our Flagbearer, recognizing the strength and unity this decision brings to our party,” Dr. Armah stated.
Dr. Armah’s remarks come amid widespread media reports that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President, has selected Dr. Yaw Mathew Opoku-Prempeh as his preferred running mate for the 2024 electoral battle. The announcement, uncharacteristically conveyed through a news report rather than the usual party communication channels, has sparked considerable debate and unease within the party and among the public.
Traditionally, the flagbearer presents their choice for running mate to the National Council, the party’s second-highest decision-making body, for consideration and approval before any public announcement. However, the recent deviation from this consultative process has led to mixed reactions among party members and the majority caucus in parliament. Some view Dr. Opoku-Prempeh’s selection as a positive step for the party, while others criticize it as a misstep.
Dr. Armah, diverging from the ongoing debate, chose to celebrate Dr. Opoku-Prempeh’s nomination. “Congratulations, Dr. Mathew Opoku-Prempeh, in advance, on your nomination as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections,” he expressed.
In Dr. Armah’s view, Dr. Opoku-Prempeh serves as a bridge between the old and new generations within the NPP.
Dr. Opoku-Prempeh has been a Member of Parliament for Manhyia since 2009, and after the constituency split in 2016, he represented Manhyia South. He was appointed Minister for Education in 2017 and was reassigned to the Ministry of Energy in 2021.
As the Ghanaian electorate awaits the official announcement, political pundits suggest that the choice of running mate may not be the deciding factor in the upcoming elections. However, Dr. Armah remains optimistic about the impact of Dr. Opoku-Prempeh’s nomination on the party’s unity and electoral prospects.
Meanwhile, the NPP’s National Council is yet to convene and make a final decision, which will be closely watched by party members and the public alike.
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