Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s Council of Elders, has lamented the party’s current condition of affairs ahead of Saturday’s presidential primary.
Mr Owusu Agyemang, in his opening remarks ahead of the Council of Elders meeting at the Alisa Hotel, voiced his concern that the pursuit of personal interests may be overshadowing the party’s shared aim.
On Saturday, November 4, the NPP will choose a flagbearer for the forthcoming 2024 elections. With four senior party members running for the seat, the campaign has sparked tremendous interest.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang added in a message that resonated with many in the party, “Fellow patriots, taking a deeper look at our party today, I see a party which may be weaker by our attitude, our utterances and our disrespect for each other as well as our lack of discipline. I see a party sometimes with disputes and difficulties and acrimony.
“I see a party where members are refusing to work together for a common goal. We have allowed our selfish interests to override the common goal. I am not pointing fingers at any of us maybe we are all responsible. Fellow patriots, it has become clear that some deep personal interest and bitter political resentment might have reared their ugly heads, especially among all the presidential aspirants and their supporters.”
Mr Owusu-Agyemang, a former Member of Parliament for New Juaben North and a veteran of Ghanaian politics, emphasised the need of party members remembering the greater goal of breaking the Eight.
Instead of personal goals, he asked them to focus on the ideals and values that have guided the NPP throughout the years.
He acknowledged that the race for the flagbearer position has sparked heated debates and disagreements within the party and among supporters of the presidential candidates, but he urged all presidential candidates to avoid divisiveness and remain united following Saturday’s presidential primary.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President, is widely expected to win Saturday’s presidential primary. Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, is his closest rival. Former Agriculture Minister Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh are also running for the position of flagbearer.
