NPP flagbearer urged to select Ato Essuman as Running Mate

Saltpond (C/R), April 25, GNA - Nana Kwa Bonko V, Ankobeahene of Nkusukum Traditional Area in the Central Region, has suggested that New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo should pick Mr Ato Essuman, a Council of State member, as running mate for the upcoming elections.

Nana Bonko, who is also the chief of Biriwa, argued that two other leading political parties had picked their presidential candidates from the Central Region and that the NPP needed to match the equation by selecting a running mate from there.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Saltpond on Thursday, Nana Bonko held that it was the Central region that cast the deciding vote in 2004 that brought the NPP to power. "Undeniably, there are a lot of people in the Region who are capable of being selected to partner the Nana Akufo-Addo, but considering the strategic positions held by Mr Essuman, he stands tall among the list," Nana Bonko held.

Mr Essuman is presently the Chief Director at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

"He commands a lot of respect from teachers and others working in the Ministry. As a Council of State member, he also enjoys total support from all sides, including traditional authorities and the Assemblies in the Region.

Mr Essuman is a former Lay President of the Methodist Church of Ghana "where he endeared himself not only to the Methodist community, but to all Christians," he said. Other opinion leaders in the area have also expressed support for Nana Bonko's proposal.

Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman Municipal Chief Executive, said Mr Essuman's humility and hard work could be an asset for the NPP in vote canvassing and appealed to the Akufo-Addo campaign to consider the suggestion.

Obrifo Ahunaku Ahor Ankobea III, Omanhene of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, said picking a running mate from the Central Region would be a fitting reward for the significant role played by the Region during the struggle for independence.

Most-Reverend Solomon Paa Grant Essilfie, Headmaster of Methodist Senior High School, welcomed the suggestion and described Mr Essuman as "a man of good standing, generous and respectful". Others who supported the idea were Ms Aba Hagan, Presiding Member for the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District Assembly and Mr Frank Appiah, Presiding Member for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipal Assembly.