Asaabe Leads NPP Chair Race; Assures 40% Appointments For Grassroots

The leading contender in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) national chairmanship race, Stephen Asamoah Boateng affectionately called Asabee, has reiterated his promise to ensure the interests of grassroots in the next NPP administration are served.

According to him, the next NPP government under his watch as the national chairman, will see at least 40 per cent of all appointments go to the grassroots for their sacrifices.

The national chairman hopeful gave the assurance during a Joy News interview monitored by The Anchor ahead of the party’s National Delegates Conference to be held on July 16.

The former Director-General of State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) who has been campaigning on the need for unity and all-inclusiveness ahead the general election said, he will pursue a vision that will enable the party to win the 2024 elections, and beyond.

Other contenders opposing Mr. Asamoah Boateng for the National Chairmanship position are Daavi Ama Gifty Asantewaa Ayew, Mr. Sammy Crabbe, Prof Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Mr. Akwasi Osei Adjei, Mr. Stephen Ntim and Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah.

7-Point Vision

Meanwhile, Mr. Asamoah Boateng has outlined a seven-point vision that he promised to implement when voted the NPP chairman, which he said will make the party more attractive to win the 2024 elections.

-Restore Party Unity and strengthen the relationship between party members and the NPP government.

-Work to strengthen the Party structures with each party officer assigned specific responsibilities with resources to deliver.

-Work to strengthen the party finances so that the NPP can become self-sufficient.

-Propose an Agenda 60/40, which he intends to vigorously pursue, whereby the party negotiates 40% of political appointments to go the rank-and-file and 60% to the President-elect and his core team.

-Lead his team to build a robust welfare system to support party members.

-Ensure the empowerment of women in the Party and work assiduously towards youth development in the areas of education, mentoring and job opportunities.

-To be an action man with the character of a ‘Field Commander’ ready for an extraordinary time like 2024 to Break the 8.”

In a related development, former Attorney-General, Ayikoi Otoo, has withdrawn from the race to become the National Chairman.

The former Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada had earlier pledged to whip up the attention of ministers and government appointees to the needs of the party for these to be provided, if he won the race.

But speaking ahead of the NPP’s National Delegates Conference to be held on July 16, Chairman of the party’s Election Committee, Mr. Peter Mac Manu announced that Mr. Otoo has communicated his decision to abandon the contest.

According to Mr. Mac Manu, the former (Attorney-General) A-G made this known in a letter on Monday, July 4, 2022.

“Three prospective aspirants for the positions of National Organizer, National Women’s Organizer and National Youth Organizer; Dr. Kwame Afriyie, Akosua Serwaa Bonsu and Tumfuo Klinsman Karikari Mensah respectively have also rescinded their decisions to contest.

“As a result of the diligence of the National Election Committee, no appeals against the nominations of any prospective aspirants were recorded by the National Appeals Committee.

“Ayiko Otoo who was vying for the position of National Chairman of the party has, however, since withdrawn from the race,” he said on Wednesday.

The National Executive aspirants will be battling it out on July 16, to assume management roles in the party for the 2024 elections.

After an extensive vetting exercise in June, the party released list of candidates who were deemed qualified to contest at the National Delegates Conference.

Per the list, eight persons were to contest for the Chairmanship position, thus, with Mr. Otoo’s withdrawal, the the number of aspirants has reduced to seven.

Source: Anchorghana.com