NPP closes nomination for aspirants

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday officially closed proceedings for picking and filling nomination documents for the party's December 22, Special National Delegates Congress to elect a flag bearer for Election 2008. Nominations were opened from September 22nd to December 22nd in accordance with NPP Constitution.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Nana Ohene Ntow, NPP General Secretary said 19 flag bearer aspirants picked nomination forms, however one candidate Mr. John Kwame Kodua, a Kumasi based lawyer failed to file his nomination.

He said Mr. Kodua did not assign any reason for withdrawing from the contest but he pledged his commitment to the party and that he would support the eventual winner after Congress.

Vetting of the aspirants would also be completed on Tuesday, November 27 with the vetting of Captain Nkrabeah Effa-Dartey, former Deputy Minister of the Interior.

Nana Ohene Ntow said the party had constituted an Election Committee to coordinate the electoral process, which included casting of lot for position on the ballot paper, printing of ballot papers and other electoral process.

He said the party would hold a rally on December 1 to introduce all the eligible aspirants to the public at Kasoa in the Central Region. On preparation towards Congress, Nana Ohene Ntow said the party had already secured the forecourt of the University of Ghana, Legon, booked hostels for the all delegates and started processing accreditation for all, including media practitioners who would be covering the congress. The NPP General Secretary assured the aspirants, supporters, media and all who would attend the congress to abide by tight security that would be mounted.

The contestants were: Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, former Chief Executive of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital; Vice President Aliu Mahama; Mr Daniel Kwaku Botwe, former General Secretary of the party and Minister of Information; Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, former Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations.

Others were; Mr Hackman Kwame Owusu-Agyemang, former Minister of Works, Water Resources and Housing; Mr Alan Kyeremanten former Minister of Trade and Presidential Special Initiatives; Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo, former Minister of Education Youth and Sports; Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, a former Minister and Mr Felix Kwasi Owusu-Adjapong, former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.

The rest are: Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, former Minister of Defence; Paapa Owusu Ankomah, former Minister of Education, Science and Sports; Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy, a Medical Practitioner; Mr Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko a Banker; Mr Kwabena Agyepong, former Presidential Press Secretary; Dr Agyei Bawuah, Ambassador to India; Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey (rtd) and Professor Mike Oquaye, former Minister of Communications.