Profiles of the 4 aspirants

As the NPP heads to the presidential primary tomorrow, The Thunder publishes the profiles of the four aspirants.

DR MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President, chairs the Economic Management Team which is broadly responsible for shaping the government’s policies and guiding their implementation.
He is at the forefront of a broad, inclusive development strategy in Ghana involving, among others, the leveraging of digitised government services to transform the delivery of public services and digitalising the economy, with an overall objective of building Ghana’s digital economy.
His efforts have seen the ongoing infusion of technological innovation in every-day Ghanaian life and the rapid growth of the Fintech industry in the country.

Education

Dr Bawumia holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Buckingham University, UK, a Master of Science Degree in Development Economics from Oxford University, UK and a Ph.D. in Economics from Simon Fraser University, Canada.
He has held academic positions as Assistant Professor of Economics,Baylor University, USA;, Visiting Scholar, -University of British Columbia, Canada; and Visiting Senior Research Associate, Centre for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University, UK. He has also served as Visiting Professor of Economic Governance at Central University, Ghana.

Prestigious career

As an Economist and Banker, Dr Bawumia has had a prestigious career which includes serving as the Deputy Governor of Ghana’s Central Bank from 2006 to 2008 and the Resident Representative of the African Development Bank in Zimbabwe in 2011.
He has authored several journal articles and has numerous publications to his credit, including “Monetary Policy and Financial Sector Reform in Africa, Ghana’s Experience”.

Elections

Mahamudu Bawumia was the running mate to President Akufo-Addo in the 2008 and 2012 elections, both of which Nana Akufo-Addo lost.
But through his efforts, the NPP increased its share of the votes in the then three regions of the north as compared to 2004.
Dr. Bawumia has proven to be the most influential Vice-President in Ghana’s history, having championed and led many transformational policies, including, among many others.

DR OWUSU AFRIYIE AKOTO

Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto is an agricultural economist and a senior member of the NPP.
He was the MP for Kwadaso in the 5th and 6th parliaments.
Dr Akoto was born on October 19, 1949 in Koforidua. His father, Baffuor Osei Akoto was a prominent member of the pre-independence National Liberation Movement and also a chief linguist at the Manhyia Palace.

Education

He had his secondary education at Opoku Ware School, Kumasi and continued to the University of Ghana for a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. From there, he went to Cambridge University for a Master of Science in agricultural economics.
He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) at Cambridge University in 1985.
Dr Akoto was employed by the International Coffee Organisation in London, England where he held positions like economist, senior economist, principal economist and chief economic advisor.
Additionally, Dr Akoto has served as a consultant to the World Bank on soft commodities like cocoa, coffee and sugar.

Working life

He returned to Ghana in 1995 after working abroad for over 18 years. On his return, he worked as the CEO of Goldcrest Commodities Limited and Plantation Resources Limited from 1995 to 2008.
Afriyie Akoto is a two -time member of parliament for Kwadaso constituency from 2009 to 2017.
He was the Deputy ranking member for the committee on Food and Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs.
Dr Akoto became a cabinet minister under President Akufo-Addo as a Minister for Food and Agriculture.
He is married with seven children.

Message

Afriyie Akoto of the belief that the attacks should be after the internal election and that the opposition NDC is the target for attacks and not persons within the NPP.
“If you’re campaigning and you attack a member of your political party, how can you call on the person? This is an issue that is of great concern to me. I am the only person who hasn’t attacked anyone in this campaign.

The NDC is the target, not our own members. As a political party, we need people. If you’re in this party and someone leaves, you go and bring them back, and that is what the NPP should stand for. I will bring back all the people who are peeved. I will also bring in people from the NDC to vote for the NPP.

KENNEDY OHENE AGYAPONG

Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is a politician and business man born on June 16, 1960, to Francis Ohene Kofi Agyapong and Mary Nsiah at  Assin Dompim in the Central Region of Ghana.
Kennedy had his secondary school eduction at the Adisadel College.
He advanced his studies at Winneba Secondary School.
He proceeded to Fordham University in the United States of America to further his studies.
Kennedy has been awarded three times by the Adisadel College and the institution is proud to have been associated with him.
Kennedy Agyapong started working at the Assin Farms where he became the Managing Director. He also worked at the Super Care Group of Companies and the Hollywood Shopping Centre.

Political life

Kennedy was first elected as MP for Assin North on the ticket of the NPP in 2000 and retained the seat in 2004 and 2008.
In 2012, he was elected in the new seat of Assin Central and was re-elected in 2016 and 2020 general elections.
He is currently the Chairman of the Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee.

Businesses

Some of his children known to the public are Amanda Agyapong and Ken Takyi Agyapong. It was also confirmed by the Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, that she had two children with the politician.
He owns a number of companies which includes; Oman F.M, Ash F.M, Net 2 TV, Super Care Company Limited (Air Conditioners Dealer), Mina D’oro Ventures, M/S Imperial World Business Limited, Gold Coin Communication.

FRANCIS ADDAI-NIMOH

This is Mr Addai-Nimoh’s second attempt at becoming the NPP flag bearer .
He was born on March 23, 1965, and hails from Mampong-Nyinampong, in the Ashanti Region.
A development planner and civil engineer, Addai-Nimoh attended the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1993.
He also attended the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Education ( GIMPA), obtaining an Executive Master’s degree in Public Administration.

Political career

In the 2008 and 2012 general elections, he contested for the Mampong constituency seat on the ticket of the NPP and won.
In 2014, contested in the NPP’s presidential primary but lost.

Working experience

After his first-degree, Addai-Nimoh worked for a few engineering firms, gaining experience in data collection, road design, contract specification and construction supervision, bitumen production, and organising training sessions to improve standards.
In 2004, the Ministry of Roads and Highways engaged Mr Addai-Nimoh as a senior engineer, with the responsibility of monitoring and evaluating all Government of Ghana road projects.
He is a member of the Ghana Institution of Engineers.