Former President John Dramani Mahama has called on incumbent Members of Parliament and candidates who lost in the primaries to assist with the party's campaign ahead of the 2024 election.

According to him, the experiences and resources of these individuals will be needed to steer the affairs of the country should the party be voted into power.

Delivering his acceptance speech at the University for Development Studies, Tamale Campus, the newly-elected flagbearer of the NDC described the ousted MPs as heroes.

On Saturday, May 13, a total of 16 MPs lost their chance to represent their constituents in the upcoming 2024 elections as they were defeated in the party's internal elections.

A.B.A Fuseini, the MP for Sagnarigu, lost to newcomer Attah Issah, who secured 801 votes compared to Fuseini's 330.

Wisdom Kobena Woyome, the South Tongu MP, also lost his slot to Maxwell Kwame Lukutor.

In Kpando, the incumbent MP, Dela Sowah was defeated by Sebastian Fred Deh while Dr Kwabena Donkor, the MP for Pru East, lost to Emmanuel Kwaku Boam.

Again, Augustine Tawiah, the MP for Bia West, lost his nomination to Mustapha Amadu Tanko, and Edward Bawa, the MP for Bongo also lost his bid to Charles Bawaduah.

In Sekyere Afram Plains, Dr Alex Adomako Mensah, the incumbent MP, lost to newcomer Hajia Nasira Afrah while Nelson Kofi Djabab won in Krachie East with 441 votes, beating incumbent MP Wisdom Gidisu, who lost with 257 votes.

Sampson Tangombu Chiragia, the MP for Navrongo, also lost to Simon Akibange Aworigo, while Angela Alorwu-Tay, the MP for Afadzato South, lost her bid to Frank Afriyie.

But thanking the outgoing MPs, the flagbearer said "The party needs you, and we will continue to rely on you as we seek to win election 2024 and change the destiny of the suffering people of Ghana."

He urged the MPs to remain dedicated to the people.

"Incumbent Members of Parliament who lost their primaries must also keep your heads up. You remain a hero for the good job you have done, and continue to do, for our party and country. We need your experience and talents for the onerous job that faces us when the good people of Ghana give us a mandate to steer the affairs of this country once more.

"Above all, we need you in the remaining one and half years of your parliamentary mandate to carry out your duties with dedication and commitment to safeguard the interest of the Ghanaian people. I intend to meet with you as early as possible," he stressed.

Background

Former President John Mahama has once again won the votes of National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegates to lead the party into the 2024 presidential election.

Certified results by the Electoral Commission (EC) show Mr Mahama polled an overwhelming 297,603 votes representing 98.9% of the total valid votes cast at the end of the NDC primaries on Saturday.

His opponent, the former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu, polled a paltry 3,181  representing 1.1%.

The other contender in the NDC flagbearership race, former Finance Minister in the Mills regime, Kwabena Duffour, pulled out on Friday.

This is the fourth time John Mahama will be leading the NDC into an election.