A businessman in Wa in the Upper West Region, Mr Kodwo Frimpong, has suggested that if Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo–Addo does not contest the presidential primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamadu Bawumia should be made to do so.

He says Dr Bawumia, having distinguished himself as knowledgeable and an astute economist, and having been marketed so well, would leave just a little doubt that when given the opportunity to lead the NPP, the party would surely win the 2016 general election.

He has, therefore, called on those with the ambition to contest the primaries to shelve that dream and give either Nana Akufo – Addo or Dr Bawumia the opportunity to lead the party.

“I am of the conviction that even with Dr Bawumia, the NPP will win the next presidential election because of his pedigree in modern Ghanaian politics,” Mr Frimpong added.

Mr Frimpong said the choice of Dr Bawumia would also dispel the notion that the NPP was an Akan – based party, a perception the party’s opponents have consistently used against the NPP.

“It will also lead to the re-branding of the NPP as a party that has and gives opportunities to all people devoid of tribal, ethnic and religious sentiments or affiliation.

He called on the rank and file of the party to prevail upon the leaders of the party not to wash their dirty linen in public since it gave other parties the opportunity to paint the NPP black.

Touching on the performance of the NPP in the Upper West Region, Mr Frimpong said there was the need for hard work and extra vigilance in the next elections, because for a few lapses the NPP would have won a number of seats there.

He said it was unfortunate that the NPP lost in the 11 constituencies in the region and therefore charged the present and future executives to undertake an introspection analysis of lapses before, during and after the elections.

Mr Frimpong was of the belief that with proper strategies the NPP would win the next general election convincingly.