Ocquaye to drop from NPP Chairmanship Race

A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and main contender for the Chairmanship slot, Professor Mike Ocquaye, is expected to step down his candidature today, weeks before the race reaches the homestretch.

The bible-pushing Ga man and head of the Political Science Department of University of Ghana, Legon, has been nominated for an ambassadorial position, paving the way for the other contender, Mr. Harruna Esseku, one time minister in the Busia government, to stake his claim to the title, come 25th of August, congress day.

Ocquaye is being sent to head the Ghana mission in the world's biggest democracy, India, Chronicle can reveal.

The sudden exit of Ocquaye from the race effectively dashes moves by the ruling party's growing and highly influential Ga caucus to make a treble grab of the position they have held close to their hearts the past eight years, the present Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Peter Ala Adjetey and Mr. Samuel Odoi-Sykes being reference cases to this fact.

Professor Fred Sai, another Ga, who was touted as a possible challenger to Ocquaye during the initial stages, has also been penciled for an ambassadorial position and is not likely to mount a challenge.