One of the four flagbearer aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kofi Osei Ameyaw, has withdrawn from the race.

The Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman Constituency of the Eastern Region, announced at a news conference Thursday, he was stepping down to support lead contender Nana Akufo-Addo to wrest power from the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He is the second of the top five aspirants contesting the position to step down; Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joe Ghartey pulled out of the race a day after results of the Super Delegates' Congress were declared.

Mr. Osei Ameyaw polled 16 votes from the 740 delegates who voted in the special delegates’ conference, to secure the last slot of the five shortlisted for the final conference slated for October 18.

He told journalists Thursday, “I have no other choice than to look at the interest of the party than at my own interest. I have, therefore, after consultation and reflection and spiritual introspection, decided to take the united party path rather than the divided party path towards the next phase of the journey.”

“I have, therefore, after consultation and reflection and spiritual introspection, decided to take the united party path rather than the divided party path towards the next phase of the journey.

“I am, therefore, withdrawing from the race to lend my support to the united movement to ensure that our great party stays on the united path to wrest power from the National Democratic Congress,” he declared.

The latest development leaves three persons; Nana Akufo-Addo, Alan Kyerematen and Francis Addai Nimoh in the final round of the contest for the NPP's nomination.

Alan launches campaign

In a related development, the campaign team of Mr. Alan Kyerematen has announced the official launch of his campaign this Saturday, September 13 at Abeka-Lapaz, opposite Abrantie Spot.  

The program is scheduled to take place between the hours of 12:00pm to 5.00pm.

“Mr. Alan Kyerematen’s desire to lead the party is borne out of his sincere belief that he is capable of uniting and leading the NPP to recapture power in 2016,” a statement indicated. 

“For Ghana to move forward, the nation needs transformational leadership, which means bold, visionary, and inspiring leadership backed by action, hard work, discipline, a passion for excellence and a renewed sense of national consciousness and pride in the people’s core values as Ghanaians.”

According to the release, “Mr. Alan John Kyerematen is ready and fired up to lead NPP to victory in 2016.”