Blay, Boadu, and Dr. ‘China’ take early lead ahead of NPP elections – Survey

If the National Executives elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are to be held today to elect new officers to man the affairs of the party for the next four years, four candidates are likely to stand out as clear favourites.

This follows a survey conducted by Ashpoll Consult, a non-governmental organisation whose main activities are centred on governance and politics on the African continent.

The survey conducted across the country from December 13, 2017 to January 13, 2018, saw the Acting General Secretary of the NPP John Boadu who is contesting for the same position winning marginally even though no candidate has till date showed interest in competing for same position.

He polled 1,792, representing 88.9% out of the 2,030 delegates who responded to the survey.

A total of 164 respondents, representing 8.07% are indecisive as far as the General Secretary position is concerned while 74 delegates or respondents representing 3.6% prefer a different candidate.

The delegates were enthused about Boadu’s leadership qualities that contributed in the party winning the 2016 general elections.

The survey also recorded marginal victory for Dr. Charles Dwamena, aka Dr. China who is seeking to occupy the position of National Treasurer. He polled 1,215 votes, representing 59.85% out of the 2,030 delegates who responded to the survey.

The delegates were happy with his work as Director of Finance and Administration for the party in 2016 and 2017 until his appointment as Ghana’s Deputy Ambassador to China.

The incumbent, Mr. Kwabena Abankwa-Yeboah who is seeking for re-election polled 300 votes representing 14.78%. Many of the delegates believe he has reneged on his promises made to them when he was seeking for election to occupy the position four years ago.

Eileen Mary Posch-Oduro who is based in Germany and also seeking to occupy the National Treasurer position polled 175 votes, representing 8.62% while Mr. Seth Agyei Baah, a.k.a Shaba, polled 102 votes, representing 5.02%.

A fifth candidate, Mr. Abraham Amoakohene polled 202 votes, representing 9.95% out of the 2,030 delegates who responded to the survey.

That for the position of National Chairman was very close between the Acting National Chairman, Mr. Freddie Blay and Mr. Stephen Ntim.

While Mr. Freddie Blay polled 846 votes representing 41.67%, Mr. Ntim polled 793 votes representing 39.06%.

A third candidate, the Upper West Regional Chairman of the NPP, Alhaji Abubakari Abdul Rahman, aka Alhaji Short, polled 391 votes, representing 19.26%.

The delegates hold the view that Mr. Blay, having played a major role as Acting National Chairman in bringing the party to power, should be given the mandate to continue with his good works.

Others who are on the side of Mr. Ntim also strongly believe that this is the time for him to take over and propel the party to a new height having already displayed his leadership qualities when serving as Vice Chairman of the party some years ago.

The survey showed a close contest between Bright Essilfie-Kumi, Nana Boakye, Kamal-Deen Abdulai and Dominic Edua who are vying for the position of National Youth Organizer.

Out of the 2,030 delegates, 527 representing 25.96% responded ‘Yes’ for Bright Essilfie-Kumi.

Following closely is Nana Boakye of National Service Secretariat who pulled 515, representing 25.37% out of the 2,030 delegates who responded to the survey.

Kamal-Deen Abdulai and Dominic Eduah polled 501 votes, representing 24.68% and 487 votes, representing 23.99% respectively.

The National Annual Delegates conference to elect National Officers of the party is expected to be held from 15th to 17th of June 2017.