The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Northern Region has indicated that the only way the party can show its true diversified nature to the rest of the world is to elect a non-Akan flagbearer going into the 2024 general elections.

According to the party in the region, the suggestion by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu that it will be unwise for the NPP to present another Akan Presidential Candidate to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is a “most logical argument."

Addressing a press conference in Tamale by a group calling itself Concern Electoral Area Coordinators and Polling Station Executives of the NPP, the Convener said the history of the NPP since 1992 has played into the propaganda of the NDC that NPP is only an Akan party and that the view by the Majority Leader resonates with the greater majority of the NPP.

Convener of the group and Electoral Area Coordinator for Zogbeli, Alhassan Inusah who addressed the press said in 1992, the party presented a distinguished scholar of Dankwa tradition, Professor Adu Boahen from the Eastern Region, in 1996, 2000, 2004, the party presented John Agyekum Kufour from the Ashanti Region and in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020, the party presented candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also from the Eastern Region to lead the party.

According to him this pattern of choosing who leads the party from only one side has made it increasingly difficult for the NPP at the base level to canvass for votes in non-Akan areas of the country.

He said despite this phenomenon it would be heartwarming to the grassroots of the party especially those in the North to welcome a party project that promotes diversified leadership.

Alhassan Inusah described as laughable accusations that Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is pursuing a Vice Presidential ambition with his recommendation of a non-Akan flagbearer, adding that the Majority Leader is also on record to have advised Alan Kyerematen to partner with a non-Akan Presidential candidate of the NPP.

The convener noted that the party was also surprised that a press conference addressed by a group calling itself Concerned Northern Grassroot of NPP, seeks to fight the course of the NPP rather than advancing it.

He described that group as a “funny group”, saying that their checks reveal that such a group is unknown to the party at all levels of party structures in the region.