Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has confirmed that former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo will not be attending the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Delegates’ Conference in person on Saturday, July 19. Instead, both leaders will participate virtually.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Rev. Fordjour explained, “Very unfortunately, former President Kufuor will not be able to attend because they are out of jurisdiction on very important matters which unavoidably cannot make them available for the day.”

Due to these circumstances, the NPP’s National Council made a firm decision and dispatched a special envoy to engage with the former presidents.

“We accepted their desire to participate but acknowledged the constraints preventing their physical presence. They have agreed to join virtually, which has been accepted in good faith,” Rev. Fordjour added.

He expressed that while the party deeply values the physical presence of the two former presidents, their absence is beyond the party’s control.

“We convened a full National Council meeting where the sentiment was clear — we cherish and desire the presence of our two former Presidents. There’s an adage that says you don’t finish meat without the father, and we truly want them to be part of what is happening,” he stated.

Despite the absence, Rev.Fordjour reassured that the spirit and virtual presence of the former presidents will be strongly felt throughout the conference.

“We will have the spirit and virtual presence of our former Presidents solidly behind us, so there is no acrimony at all,” he concluded.

MyJoyOnline understands that over 5,600 delegates from all levels of the party are expected to converge at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Accra for the NPP’s first major meeting since last year’s electoral defeat.

Ahead of the event, a National Council meeting confirmed the decision for both former presidents to address the congress virtually.