Intense Battle Expected as Four Key Figures Vie for NPP Flagbearer Position: An analysis

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is gearing up for a highly anticipated faceoff on November 4, 2023, as four prominent members vie for the party's flagbearer position at the National Delegates Congress.

What began as a crowded field of ten contestants was narrowed down to six through the super delegate's congress. However, the competition intensified as two notable candidates, former Minister of Trade Mr. Alan Kyeremanten and former Energy Minister, Mr Boakye Agyarko withdrew from the race.

The four remaining contenders in this high-stakes contest include the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. Mr Agyapong is well-known for his criticisms of his own government and has since vowed to bring about significant change in the country if elected President. 

Also contesting is Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a prominent figure within the NPP who brings extensive government experience to the race; the former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto who is also another formidable candidate in the race and Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh, the former MP for the Mampong Constituency. 

As the countdown to the National Delegates Congress continues, political observers and party members alike are eagerly awaiting the outcome, recognizing that it could have far-reaching implications for the leadership and future direction of the NPP.  

In the lead-up to the congress, the four contestants have intensified their campaigns nationwide, with occasional subtle jabs aimed at their opponents. Mr. Agyapong, in particular, has made remarks that some allege are directed at Dr. Bawumia, such as "You call yourself a strategist but when we were taking over power, the dollar was GH¢4; today, one dollar is GH¢12, and yet you call yourself a strategist." However, Mr. Agyapong has not officially confirmed the intended targets of these comments. 

Furthermore, Mr. Agyapong expressed dissatisfaction with the Super Delegates Congress's conduct and threatened a 'showdown,' especially against Dr. Bawumia. He has since clarified that his comments were not malicious but meant to underscore his confidence in winning the flagbearer position.

The battle for the flagbearer position is shaping up to be one of Ghana's most closely watched political events this year, with the promise of a fierce contest and potentially transformative leadership changes on the horizon. 

Some persons took to social media to reaffirm their support for some of the contestants. A user by the name Nana Kwame Oparsco who commented on the Maakye show of KEZZBEN FM said “In fact, Honourable Kenned Ohene Agyapong is winning the November 4th Elections with a much wider margin compared to August Victory. This will set the pace for the 2024 agenda of breaking the 8. #Ken na y3p3.”

Another user who commented on the Morning Show of Happy FM with the username Seth Ofori said “Ken is the best candidate for the NPP.”

Analysis

A detailed analysis of social media comments from four prominent Ghanaian media outlets including UTV, Kezzben FM, TV3, and Happy FM has provided valuable insights into the opinions of delegates ahead of the NPP delegates congress scheduled for November 4, 2023. Within a span of four hours, a total of 4,067 comments were recorded, offering a glimpse into the sentiments of the party's followers. 

The comments revealed a wide range of sentiments, with some notable observations. Among the commenters, 107 tipped Mr. Kennedy Agyapong as the favourite to win the NPP delegates congress, while 20 commenters favoured Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Interestingly, four commenters believed Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto was a strong contender, while no commenter expressed support for Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh.

Despite the significant viewership on social media pages the majority of comments, 3,936 deviated from the central discussion. Instead, they comprised of pleasantries extended to show hosts and guests, advertisements promoting products and services, and unrelated topics.

Key Observations

·      While there was significant viewership on the social media pages, the number of comments directly related to the discussed matter remained relatively low.

·      The bulk of comments across various platforms encompassed greetings, product and service advertisements, and subjects unrelated to who was favourite to win the NPP flagbearer race.  

Conclusion

Based on the insights gained from this analysis, it is clear that a segment of Ghanaian social media users believes Mr. Kennedy Agyapong is the right candidate to lead the NPP to victory in the 2024 election. Additionally, many commenters favoured Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, implying that the fiercely contested race primarily revolved around these two prominent figures. The divergence from the central discussion highlights the multifaceted nature of social media engagement, where political discourse competes with various other interests. As the NPP delegates congress approaches, these sentiments offer a glimpse into the potential dynamics of the race, but the ultimate outcome will depend on the decisions of the party's delegates.