The New Patriotic Party (NPP) would have to hold a special congress, slated tentatively for December 6, 2014 to select five out of seven presidential hopefuls who have filed their nomination papers to contest the presidential primaries.

By close of day Monday July 7, 2014, the last day for filing of nominations, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Mr Joe Ghartey, Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw and Stephen Asamoah Boateng had filed their nomination papers.

Already, Mr John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh have filed their nominations.

Per the party’s constitution, a special delegates congress will be organised to whittle down the number to five aspirants.

Presidential hopefuls

Nana Akufo-Addo

There was near pandemonium at the Asylum Down headquarters of the party when Nana Akufo-Addo, the 2008 and 2012 Presidential Candidate of the party, arrived to file his nominations.

Nana Akufo-Addo's supporters met the twice-failed presidential candidate of party with drumming and dancing when he arrived at the party headquarters together with his running mate for 2008 and 2012 elections, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.

Nana Akufo-Addo said the New Patriotic Party was battle-ready to replace the “incompetent National Democratic Congress” and put in place a government that would deliver on good governance and rapid economic development.

He said the NPP had competent men and women and a plan to reconstruct the economy of the country that was experiencing downward slide into recession.

Nana Akufo-Addo assured his supporters that the NPP was coming back to power to continue with the good work of President J. A Kufuor to move the country forward.

Konadu Apraku

Dr Konadu Apraku, who was the first to file his papers at 10 a.m. Monday, also called on Ghanaians to reject the National Democratic Congress government since it had only been successful at bankrupting the country's economy .

“While I am humbled and deeply worried by the numerous intractable and pressing problems facing our nation today, I am equally confident of our nation’s future prospects,” he told the media.

“My only motivation for being in this contest is my strong belief that I will win power for the NPP in 2016 and manage the affairs of our country with a great deal of competence, experience, enlightened and visionary leadership,” he added.

Joe Ghartey

Mr Joe Ghartey said he was going to undertake a clean and decorous campaign that would help raise the image of the party as a credible alternative to wrest power from the NDC.

He said it was the NPP party that selected him from 4,000 lawyers to become a Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice and he would do what it would take to bring the party back to power.

He said since the NPP tradition originated at Saltpond in the late '40s, the party had sown the seeds of current executive were doing was in line with that tradition of democracy and competition to elect their leaders and not by selection.

Osei Ameyaw

Mr Osei Ameyaw commended the executive of the party for handling the road map successfully to bring the party to its present position of closing nominations to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.

He observed that the road had not been smooth as they contained bumps and obstacles but the party had proved that it was capable of managing its own affairs, as well as handling the challenges of governance and economic recovery when given the power in 2016.

He called for unity of purpose within the party since it was in unity that the path would lead to victory in 2016.

Mr Ameyaw said when the party was divided in the 70s and in 2008 and 2012, it lost power.

He, therefore, asked the party members to recall the history of a united party created by the Danquah-Busia- Dombo tradition.

Asamoah Boateng

Mr Asamoah Boateng, who was the last aspirant to file his nomination, stated that a “refreshing change has come for the NPP and the country.”

He said after seeking the face of God before contesting for the flag bearer slot, he was more than convinced of a prosperous nation ahead.

He stressed the need for unity among all ranks within the NPP fraternity to make victory double sure in 2016 He described the presidential primaries of the party as a family affair and urged all aspirants and their supporters to prosecute their campaigns with decorum and decency, stressing that

Mr Kwabena Agyepong, the party's General Secretary, admonished all the aspirants to conduct their campaigns devoid of infractions and acrimony to ensure that the NPP stayed united for victory in 2016.