Two more names have emerged in the upcoming contest for the flagbearer position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

They are the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Attorney General in the Kufuor era, Mr Joe Ghartey, and Mr Francis Addai Nimoh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mampong.

Both have confirmed in interviews with this paper their intent to pick nomination forms to contest the presidential primary of the NPP when nominations are formally opened. The two make it nine the number of people waiting for the greenlight to contest the flagbearer race.

Some leading members of the party have already stated their interest in the forth­coming contest.

The would-be presidential aspirants of the NPP, include two-time presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, twice flag bearer hopeful Air Alan Kwadwo Kyeramaten and former flag-bearer hopefuls, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku and Prof. Kwabena, Frimpong-Boateng.

Others are Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng a former minister of state, Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw,MP for Asuogyaman, and Mr Isaac Osei, MP for Subin.

More candidates

“I will be picking nomination forms to contest the presidential primary of the NPP for the 2016 elections,” Mr Ghartey confirmed to the Daily Graphic last Tuesday.

He is currently in Tamale in the Northern Region as part of a series of broad consultations within and outside the party.

According to Mr Ghartey, who is also the MP for Essikado-Ketan, he was ready to serve his party and the nation in the high office of President.

In his view, one unique thing that had made him stand him out was the fact that he was not into factionalism and could rally and work with all groups within the party.

As a compromise candidate from Winneba and Sekondi/Takoradi, Mr Ghartey declared: "I have paid my dues within the NPP and in and I think I am ready to serve my party and the nation in the high office of President.”

According to him, he could work with all factions within the party as a compromise candidate.

“The NPP at this stage needs a compromise candidate and I believe the party in broad terms is also looking for such a candidate,” he stated.

Mr Ghartey, considered the dark horse in the presidential primaries, pointed out that it was time for the NPP to place premium on unity else it would not naake any headway in the 2016 elections.

Mr Addai Nimoh, who over the years has been working in the background for the NPP described himself as a “silent pusher of actions in the Ashanti Region, the ‘World Bank’ of the NPP”.

He supported the national campaign of then candidate J. A. Kufuor in the 2000 elections, promoted policies of his administration and has since paid his dues to the party, especially at the constituency and regional levels.

Mr Addai Nimoh touts himself as a unifier who can bring good fortunes as well as ensure the party’s victory in 2016.