Charles Bissue, a former general secretary aspirant of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said he will be able to serve the party better as a communicator following his decision to back out of the race.
Bissue withdrew from the race on Wednesday after broad consultation with stakeholders in the lead-up to this weekend’s national annual delegates conference.
“I have seen other areas: like I said, communication for the party … I do it three times a week. And I think at this point in time based on the exigency of time, I can best serve the party in that area,” Bissue said on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (13 July).
“I have decided, to the best of my ability, [to] help the party in other ways to ensure that we can ‘break the 8’. It has not been easy but that is the decision I have come to,” he told the host of the ABS, Kwaku Nhyira-Addo.
Withdrawal
In a letter addressed to the national elections committee on Wednesday (13 July), Bissue said he took the decision after a broad consultation with various stakeholders.
“I tender herein my withdrawal from the General Secretary contest of the New Patriotic Party. My
decision is sequel to broad consultations with family, promoters and supporters, delegates and
well-wishers of my campaign.
“I am convinced, and reiterate that the various contenders for the position are equally deserving of
the position of a General Secretary. It is my prayer that delegates of this great Party make the
right choice in electing amongst the remaining candidates, the best to lead the NPP into another
political cycle; and that of course, is to break the 8-year jinx.
“I assure the Party of my support to whoever gets elected as the General Secretary, and to be of
service to the Party, when called upon. [Reference section ‘My Agenda 4 Change’ for a read on some of
the various policies, strategies etc. I intended to deploy when elected as General Secretary],” the letter stated.
This means that five individuals, namely John Boadu, Justin Kodua Frimpong, Iddrisu Musah, Frederick Opare-Ansah and Ramseyer Ahmed Agyeman-Prempeh, will stand for the position of NPP general secretary.
Bissue further expressed gratitude to the leadership of the NPP.
Ayikoi Otoo, three others withdraw from polls
Nii Ayikoi Otoo, a national chairman aspirant of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has withdrawn from the contest with barely two weeks to the polls.
Three other prospective candidates – Dr Kwame Afriyie, a national organiser aspirant; Akosua Serwaa Bonsu, an aspirant for national women’s organiser; and Tumfuor Klinsman Karikari, an aspirant for national youth organiser – have also withdrawn from the race.
Addressing a news conference in Accra on Wednesday (6 July 2022), the chairman of the NPP’s national elections committee, Peter Mac Manu, said: “As a result of the diligence of the national election committee and the preparedness of the prospective aspirants, no appeals against the nomination of any prospective aspirant were recorded.”
He said the national appeals committee, led by Dan Botwe, had scheduled 24-25 June for the hearing of appeals, but he noted: “In effect, there were no appeals.”
He added: “Honourable Ayikoi Otoo, who was vying for the national chairmanship position of the party, has … since withdrawn from the race … after vetting …” Mac Manu said.
Fred Dzakpata
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