Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a New Patriotic Party (NPP), flagbearer hopeful, has issued a heartfelt appeal to the party’s 961 super delegates.
Urging them to place their trust in him, he implores them to vote overwhelmingly in his favor, securing his position among the select five candidates to be shortlisted for the November 4 showdown.
In a message tailored for the super delegates ahead of the polls scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2023, Dr. Akoto calls upon the key decision-makers within the party to extend their support to him. He highlights his substantial contributions to the party’s progress and underlines the pivotal moment as an opportunity for the party’s powerbrokers to demonstrate their endorsement.
Reminding the super delegates of his vision for both the party and the country, Dr. Akoto emphasizes his capacity to revive the party’s UP tradition and fuel its growth.
He pledges to alleviate the hardships faced by party activists while showcasing a sustainable and achievable plan that involves establishing commercial ventures to fund party activities and generate employment opportunities.
Dr. Akoto envisions a government where women and youth play integral roles, affirming his commitment to equitable representation and inclusive governance.
“I am appealing to you, the super delegates, to vote for me. When you vote for me, I have envisioned two things to do; one for the party and the other for the country. All of us are aware of what happened in the 2016 general elections. In the Presidential, our then candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo beat the then incumbent President John Mahama with over 900,000 votes. But when we went to the 2020 general elections when everyone was expecting a wider margin between these two presidential candidates, the over 900,000 votes was cut down to a little over 500,000. We nearly lost the parliamentary majority seats. We are now pegged at 137 with the Independent Parliamentary candidate, Amoako Asiamah, declaring to do business with the NPP for us to become the Majority Group”, he noted.
He added “these happenings tell us that all was not well largely because our grassroots were abandoned. When you talk to them, almost everyone is complaining. This makes breaking the eight-year governance cycle very difficult, hence, my decision to contest for the flagbearer position to turn things around. So, I am appealing to you once again to show me some love and vote massively for me. I will ensure to work hard to reform the party for all to enjoy”, he underscored.
Among the ten aspirants vying for the flagbearer position within the NPP, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto faces notable contenders such as former Energy Minister Mr. Boakye Agyarko, former NPP General Secretary Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, former Trade and Industry Minister Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, among others.
The NPP’s Special Delegates Congress, slated for August 26, 2023, holds the responsibility of selecting the top five presidential aspirants who will subsequently compete in the November 4, 2023, flagbearer slot contest. The ultimate victor in this process will be entrusted with leading the party into the 2024 general election.
