NPP race: I can’t take sides – Akufo-Addo
President Nana Akufo-Addo has said he has no favourite in the flag bearer race of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“My duty is in two folds: one is; first of all, to hold a balance to make sure there is a level playing field for all of them [flag bearer hopefuls] because the decision has to be the decision of the party and whoever the party elects as its flag bearer for 2024, that person is the one I will support and campaign for the person to become president”, the president told a local radio station in Kumasi where he has been touring.
A few days ago, there was a gust of laughter at the Manhyia palace on Friday, 1 October 2021, when President Akufo-Addo, while introducing his entourage, with whom he visited Asante monarch Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, threw in – jovially – the presidential ambitions of his Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Trade.
“I am here with the Minister of Transport, Minister of Works and Housing, the National Security boss, Chairman One – Wontumi, the Food and Agriculture Minister, Owusu Afriyie, who wants to be President; I also have here with me someone who has long eyed the presidential seat, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremanten; a very hard-working man. All of them are doing a good job”, the president said, which sparked laughter from the Asantehene and the whole palace.
The president took the opportunity to express gratitude to the Asantehene and Asanteman for supporting the New Patriotic Party and his candidature in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.
“I am here to show my gratitude to you and Asanteman for your support in the last elections. You have supported the NPP since time immemorial, and in the last elections, but for your unshrinking support and that of Asanteman to me and the NPP, we would not have been in government,” the President said.
He continued, “I am here to show you and the entire kingdom my gratitude for that solid support that has seen us in power.”
President Akufo-Addo, in explaining the rationale for his visit to the Region, indicated that he is in the Region to familiarise himself with the numerous developmental projects going on in the Region, and listen for himself the concerns of residents, the traditional authority and opinion leaders.
