A ground breaking ceremony last Sunday (July 4,2021) in Ho, for a permanent office complex for the Volta Regional Secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) became a ‘battle ground’ for some party bigwigs with flagbearer ambitions.
Though not physically present at the event, these Flagbearer Hopefuls nonetheless, flexed their muscles through individual donations for the project in a bid to probably prove to party supporters that they were ready to succeed President Akufo-Addo.
First to call the shot, was Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, an absent special guest, through his delegation, Mr. Fred Oware, Chief Executive Officer of Bui Power Authority donated an amount of GH¢20,000.00 and 500 bags of cement with a promise to send further support in the course of the project.
Dr Bawumia is being tipped as a likely successor of his boss, as he is seen as the one to “break the 8-year cycle” convention in Ghanaian politics.
Next was, Hon. Joe Ghartey, former Railways Minister who announced through a representative, a cash donation of GH¢25,000.00 for the new Regional Party Secretariat edifice.
The Essikado-Ketan MP, was the first to announce his intention for the NPP flagbearership slot, on the back of the party’s second term victory in December 2020.
Reports suggested that this move might had caused him a ministerial slot in President Akufo-Addo’s second term.
Also on the bill was, Trades and Industry Minister, Hon. Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, who sent an amount of GH¢20,000.00 and 1,000 bags of cement for the project through Mr. Kenwud Nuworsu, former Regional chairman of the NPP.
Mr. Kyeremanten is a known contender for the NPP flagbeareship slot since 2007 and he is highly tipped to try his luck once again in the 2023 contest.
There were however, donations from other individuals, including, President Akufo-Addo, and Mr. Francis Nyonyo, Council of State Member for the Volta Region who both sent Gh¢50,000.00 each.
Same amount came from the NPP National Chairman, Mr. Freddie Blay, who also announced GH¢100,000.00 support from the national party, as well GH¢20,000.00 donation from his wife, Mrs. Gina Blay, the Ambassador to Germany.
Former Chieftaincy Minister, Hon. Kofi Dzamesi also donated Gh¢20,000.00 worth of Cement for the project.
The project, which is a brainchild of the Regional Chairman, Mr. Makafui Woanyah, is estimated at the cost of Gh¢1.6 million, and scheduled for completion at the end of the year.
The ceremony, which attracted party officials at the Regional and Constituency levels, however, witnessed the absence of the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa and the NPP Regional Organizer, Mr. Korsi Bodja.
