Osei Kyei-Mensah, the majority leader in parliament, thinks most of the candidates wanting to be chosen to represent the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) as presidential candidates in 2024 have what it takes to “break the 8.”
In addition, he has believes the agenda of “breaking the 8” is under threat.
So far, President Nana Akufo-Addo has received resignation letters from two cabinet members, Alan Kyerematen and Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who serve in the trade and agriculture ministries, respectively.
On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said in an interview on Asaase Radio that he was unable to name the standout candidate.
“I can say that many of them that I have assessed have the potential of helping us break the 8 [but] there may be a primo among them. In terms of competence and qualification, I can vouch for many of them who have come up, like [Vice-President Mahamudu] Bawumia, Alan Kyerematen, Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Boakye Agyarko … Kennedy Agyapong, Kwabena Agyepong, Kofi Konadu Apraku…” he said.
He added, “We (NPP) should confront the reality, that’s what is needed. How do we contend with them to overcome whatever threat that they (NDC) oppose to enable us break the 8. That should be our prerogative. There’s a serious threat we must acknowledge”.
In the meantime, President Akufo-Addo has fervently pleaded with the New Patriotic Party’s membership to support him in accomplishing the last significant achievement of his political career, which he believes is “breaking the 8” and turning over to another NPP president on January 7, 2025.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his hope that the party would stay united to advance his program for the remainder of his tenure and win the general election in 2024.
“I want to end by making one appeal to you. I want you to help me to achieve the last great political feat of my career in Ghanaian politics – that on 7 January 2025, I will go to Black Star Square and hand over the baton to our next NPP President of the Republic, whom we would have chosen, supported and brought to victory. Victory in 2024: that is our goal, that is our task and that, by the Grace of God, we will achieve,” he declared.
