Kwasi Kwarteng who is a spokesperson from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has argued that former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as visible rather than marketable.
According to Kwasia Kwarteng, the former Vice President is visible, but not marketable hence the party should consider a new approach in deciding on a candidate for the 2028 general elections.
Speaking to JoyNews on Thursday August 28, Kwasi Kwarteng explained, “It is important not to confuse visibility with marketability. Marketability is acceptance. You can be visible and not be necessarily accepted.”
He acknowledged Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s service to the party and country but insisted that the Vice President has not been accepted enough.
“Without any disrespect to him, he served, he’s been our former vice president, he’s done so well in many ways. The party has been there for the past 32 years and he’s been extremely visible, the most highlighted for the past 16 years. He has been marked visible but in terms of his marketability he has not been accepted,” he said.
Mr. Kwarteng also made reference to the most recent electoral results, noting, “He led us into an election and as I speak, out 98 parliamentary seats the party were able to governise just 5, and the NDC got 93”
Kwasi Kwarteng further mentioned figures obtained by past NPP leaders in previous elections, arguing that the decline in numbers reflects a clear rejection.
“From Adu Boahen 1.2 million to Kufuor taking it to 2.8, Kufuor the 2nd time 3.5, Kufuor again 4.5, Akufo Addo first time 4.5 to 5.8 and again to 6.7, then downwards to 4.1 million, you cannot call that marketability. That is an outright rejection from the good people of Ghana,” he stated.
The Kennedy Agyapong spokesperson said it would be unfair to suggest that Bawumia has run out of ideas, however maintained that his long history may lead to nothing new to offer.
“Dr. Bawumia has been around for the past 16 years, 8 years actively as a vice president and a lot of the things he mentioned are things we’ve been hearing for the past 8 years. It’s the more reason why people genuinely believe that in the spirit of revival and total unity of the party we need a complete overhaul by getting a new direction and a new face.”
So far, 5 aspirants have picked up forms in the race for NPP’s flagbearership ahead of the next general elections. They are Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyepong
