The National Investigation Bureau conducted a survey among party members and found that the Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, is overwhelmingly selected to be Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia’s running partner.
5,116 NPP delegates from across the country, including national, regional, constituency, and polling station leaders, participated in the survey.
The report indicates that Dr. Opoku Prempeh obtained 76.2% of the responses from the executives surveyed.
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Bosomtwe MP and Minister of Education, came in second with 10.16%.
Other well-known individuals the delegates are considering for the position are Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Agriculture and Member of Parliament for the Abetifi Constituency, and Apostle Opoku Onyinah, the former Chairman of the Pentecost Church-Ghana.
In less than six months, Dr. Bawumia will have to select among a number of party giants in the general election of 2024.
Meanwhile, the survey reveals that there was a strong consensus that the running mate should be selected from the Ashanti Region.
According to the NIB report, the majority of respondents approximately 84%, believed that Mr Opoku Prempeh is the ideal running mate for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia due to his charisma and popularity among
party members.
Nonetheless, in its recommendation, NIB warned the flagbearer to be cautious of selecting Dr Prempeh.
“Given Dr Prempeh’s current role as the Minister of Energy, the ongoing power crises in Ghana
could impact his candidacy. Therefore, the government may need to implement necessary
measures to solidify his competence in managing the energy sector, thereby enhancing the party’s
prospects in the 2024 general elections.”