Dan Botwe to head Akufo-Addo's campaign team?

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to lead the team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2016 campaign with the assistance of Dr. Mammoud Bawumia.

It can also be taken for granted that both Mr. Alan Kyeremateng and Honourable Addai Nimo will serve on the campaign team to send out a signal of unity. However, since the election of Nana Akufo-Addo as the Presidential candidate of the NPP, there has been intense lobbying for membership of the campaign team.

So far, Mr. Dan Botwe, a Member of Parliament and one time General Secretary of the party, appears to be the hot favorite for the position of chairman of the campaign team. Many party members interviewed by 'The Insight' tip Uncle Dan as he is affectionately called by the young Turks on account of his organizational ability and knowledge of Ghana’s electoral processes.

Mr. Botwe is also widely seen as a very disciplined party worker who leaves very little to chance. He also has a unique ability to build bridges and it is felt that his choice would enhance the chances of the NPP to win the 2016 elections.

His opponents have said that the choice of Mr. Botwe would remove all flexibility especially with regards to the distribution of campaign funds.

One critic told “The Insight” he is just too strict and in campaigns of this nature money has to flow. It is money which oils the commitment of party workers and activities. Mr. Botwe has himself not declared any interest in becoming the chairman of the NPP’s campaign team.

His choice will help deal with the allegation that Nana’s campaign has always been led by a small group of relatives and friends hiding in back rooms and dispensing instructions.

The point is that no such group can function with Mr. Dan Botwe at the helm of affairs. He is known to be a stickler for administrative and organizational accountability.

Other persons in contention for this key role include, Mr. Boakye Agyarko, who was campaign manager for the 2012 elections, Mr. Victor Newman, a longtime associate of Nana and a well acclaimed strategists and Nii Agyiri Blankson, one time Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra.

Mr. Blankson is said to be a competent organizer but his major weakness is that he is advancing in age. All said and done, the onus is on Nana Akufo-Addo in consultation with the party leadership to choose the head of the campaign team.

Many party faithful hopes it will be Dan Botwe.