Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan Constituency Joe Ghartey has officially announced his intention to contest the presidential primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) this year.
The former Attorney General says he has all that it takes to lead the party into the 2024 presidential elections.
Joe Ghartey’s announcement comes in the wake of declarations by some party big wigs to contest the primaries when it is held later this year.
Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and Dr Afriyie Osei Akoto recently resigned from government to pursue interests, key among which is to contest the primaries.
Mr Kyerematen has since officially declared his intention not only to lead the NPP into the elections next year but to become President of Ghana after December, 2024.
Joe Ghartey worked in the first tenure of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the Minister of Railways Development, which he described as one of the most difficult infrastructure portfolios.
He said his biggest endorsement has come from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who he said has made references to his “firm” rulings while serving as 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
2days ago he assured ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor and by extension the entire ‘elephant family’, that he will not work to divide the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) during his campaign for the party’s flagbearer job.
He gave the assurance when he visited the Former President at his Aburi Residence in the Eastern Region on Thursday, January 12, 2023.
Announcing to Mr. Kufuor his intention to contest the upcoming presidential primaries of the NPP, Mr. Ghartey says he will not disparage any of the other candidates for the race.
Commenting on the conduct of the upcoming primaries, Mr. Kufuor cautioned that all the candidates should show sportsmanship, and that at the end of the race, whoever wins should be supported by all.
He reminded Mr. Ghartey that NPP as a party did not belong to any one single individual and that no one is bigger than the party, urging that it was important at all times to protect the integrity of the Party.
Author-Matilda Timmy Youpele
