Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto’s association with President Akufo-Addo will affect his chances of being elected among the top five aspirants of the 10 candidates vying for the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante of the University of Ghana has noted.
Speaking on TV3 Saturday, August 26, 2023, during the coverage of the NPP’s super delegates conference, he said some party members have the assumption that a vote for Dr. Akoto by extension is a vote for President Akufo-Addo.
“One of the problems for Dr. Akoto is that he is a friend of the President and there is this perception that a vote for Dr. Akoto will be a vote for, by extension the President,” he said.
Meanwhile he says President Akufo-Addo has not been firm as President, the reason the NPP would want someone who is resolute, and obviously not Dr. Akoto.
“So, at this point in time they will want people with that courage and Dr. Akoto doesn’t,” he asserted.
According to the political science lecturer, President Akufo-Addo has chosen loyalty over firmness. He says he has preferred those who have walked the talk of his government over steadfastness.
“One of the problems of Nana Akufo-Addo government is that he has not been firm. He has really put emphasis on loyalty. People who are loyal to him are people he engages and people who have walk the talk of the President or the government, but firm on the ground, no!” he stated.
Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto is one of 10 aspirants who are being trimmed to five before a delegates conference would be held in November to settle on one as flagbearer for the NPP for the 2024 general election.
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