National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Paul Afoko has disclosed a party strategy to make Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia a more prominent force in the campaign to recapture power in the 2016 elections.

Part of the strategy will see Nana Akufo Addo’s running mate take lead roles in public events organized by the NPP.

He would not disclose the rationale for a strategy that would make the running mate take a lead role instead of the flagbearer ahead a crucial election.

Dr. Buwumia recently led a demonstration in the Upper East Region without the party’s flagbearer.

Mr. Afoko says his recent lecture at the Central University is all part of the grand plan to enhance his public stature ahead of next year’s general elections.

"Don't forget his background. He is a statistician, a researcher par excellence, a banker and an economist.

"Everything we are doing is a strategy. It is deliberate. Everything we do is deliberate.

"More will be seen of Bawumia. It is deliberate," he emphasised.

Mr Afoko was quick to dismiss assertions that the party's flagbearer is too frail to lead the 2016 campaign to recapture power.

"When you talk about Nana Addo at an advanced age, look, age is just a number.

"Did you see the demonstration we had here in Accra? Did you see Nana walk all the way from Obra spot to Hearts park.

"He showed lots of strength and energy. At the end he stood up to address the crowd.

He said the flagbearer rejected suggestions by party members to stand behind an open-top vehicle during the entire period of the demonstration and rather chose to walk all the way through.

This is not the mark of a person advanced in age.

Akufo-Addo is currently 71 and would 72 in the election year of 2016.