Bawumia proposes Opoku Prempeh as Akufo-Addo’s running mate.

Written by GliveRadio Accra on June 26, 2024

JoyNews can confirm that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has discussed his choice of running mate for the December 7 presidential election with President Akufo-Addo.

According to JoyNews’ Presidential Affairs correspondent Elton Brobbey, a meeting was held last night at the Jubilee House where Vice President Dr. Bawumia presented his choice to President Akufo-Addo.

Elton Brobbey clarified that President Akufo-Addo offered advice and shared his thoughts during the meeting, ultimately accepting Dr. Bawumia’s choice.

The selected candidate is a 56-year-old medical doctor who graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

“…He was first elected to Parliament in 2008 and subsequently re-elected in 2012, 2016, and 2020. He has served on the Health, Appointments, Defence, and Interior Committees of Parliament.

“In 2017, President Akufo-Addo appointed him as the Education Minister, and he currently serves as the Energy Minister. His name is Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO,” he said.

The JoyNews Presidential correspondent added that it remains unclear whether Vice President’s choice of Dr. Opoku Prempeh as his running mate was influenced by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) survey.

However, he noted that the Energy Minister appears to be the preferred choice of the party’s grassroots.”

He further noted that even before Dr. Bawumia emerged victorious in the NPP flagbearer race, he had already signaled his choice of running mate, emphasizing that the selection of Dr. Opoku Prempeh came as no surprise.

Meanwhile, the NPP flagbearer is set to meet with the party’s council to formally present his choice. Upon acceptance, an official announcement will follow.

On June 15, 2024, a survey conducted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) revealed widespread party preference for Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the running mate to NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia.

The survey involved 5,116 NPP delegates nationwide, including national, regional, constituency, and polling station executives.

According to the findings, Dr. Opoku Prempeh received 76.2% of the responses from polled executives.

Following him was the Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, who secured 10.16% of the votes.