Deputy Sports Minister, Joseph Yamin, says the General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John, will retain his position as the party's scribe at the upcoming conference in the Northern regional capital, Tamale.

According to him, Sir John’s massive grassroots support gives him an advantage over the other contenders in the race.

“Sir John is 100 times better than the other aspirants because his relationship with the grassroots makes him the number one contender”, he stated.

The incumbent General Secretary faces stiff competition from former press secretary in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Kwabena Agyepong, Yaw Boabeng Asamoah and Captain Nkrabea Effah Datteh (rtd).

All the three men have vowed to deliver a result-oriented leadership to ensure the NPP wins the 2016 general elections.

But Joseph Yamin on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday said Sir John has taken a commanding lead in the race.

He noted that the outspoken scribe is seen as a ‘radical’ General Secretary, who champions the cause of party members at the grassroots.

“The people at the grassroots have benefitted from Sir John and they will reward him by voting for him in Tamale”, Mr. Yamin insisted.

Additionally, the Deputy Sports Minister noted that the General Secretary position of the NPP needs a person, who is undaunted by political pressure and “Sir John is unmatched”.

Joseph Yamin also the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) said Sir John will do a better job than the other contenders.