The candidacy of Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia as the flag bearer and the nomination of Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh as his running mate do not match the stature of former President John Dramani Mahama and his running mate Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. However, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) considers leadership qualities as crucial for its Vice Presidential candidates, including:
Leadership: Demonstrating strong leadership by overseeing departments or teams and providing guidance.
Decision-making: Making critical decisions in the absence of the President or CEO, handling complex situations.
Strategic thinking: Aligning actions with organizational goals and vision.
Effective communication: Clear communication of ideas to teams, executives, and stakeholders.
Team management: Ensuring effective team functioning and goal achievement.
Problem-solving: Identifying and solving challenges innovatively.
Relationship building: Establishing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders.
Financial acumen: Understanding financial implications and managing resources effectively.
Adaptability: Adapting to organizational changes.
Ethical integrity: Upholding strong ethical principles and integrity.
Prof. Kobby Mensah, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School and political marketer, emphasized these qualities on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM hosted by Alex Nana Dogbey in Accra.
In a recent study by the Danquah Institute (DI), Matthew Opoku Prempeh (popularly known as “Napo”), Member of Parliament for Manhyia South and Minister of Energy, emerged as the preferred running mate for Dr. Bawumia in the upcoming 7th December 2024 general election. The study, conducted in June 2024 using a hybrid technique of virtual and face-to-face interviews with 1,569 respondents, highlighted Napo’s widespread support within the NPP.
The survey revealed that Napo is favored across various party levels, including national, regional, and constituency executives. The majority believe the running mate should be male and from the Ashanti Region, with qualities like humility, approachability, generosity, objectivity, and transparency being highly valued.
Furthermore, 84% of respondents preferred a male running mate, with 83.9% preferring one from the Ashanti Region. When asked to choose between Napo and Dr. Yaw Adutwum, Napo received significant support at all levels, with 77% of respondents overall preferring him.
Importantly, nearly all respondents expressed willingness to cooperate with Dr. Bawumia’s choice of running mate, emphasizing the importance of the candidate being able to work effectively with all party executives.
The DI study underscores the intense interest and criteria for selecting a running mate within the NPP, highlighting Napo’s strong candidacy based on his qualities and support across the party.
Story by: AYM Kukah
