Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has shared that he personally suggested Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) as the running mate for NPP’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the upcoming 2024 election.
According to a report by GhanaWeb, speaking on Asasepa Radio on January 23, 2025, the former Suame MP explained his decision-making process. He said he carefully looked at potential candidates from different regions before settling on NAPO.
“From the Volta Region, I didn’t see any person who had the aura and visibility that Quashigah had. In the Greater Accra Region, we assessed the person we had in mind. We also went to the Central and Western regions to assess the people in contention there,” he explained in Twi.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who served as Majority Leader for over 7 years, acknowledged his own strong qualifications for the role. His experience includes 8 years as Minority Leader and positions as chief whip and deputy leader. However, he believed timing was crucial in this decision.
“There is no person who goes to the police service who does not aspire to become the IGP. It was not that I did not want it (the running mate position). I have been Minority Leader for 8 years, at that time I had been Majority Leader for 2 years. Before then I served as chief whip, deputy leader and so in terms of experience and maybe knowledge, I can even become president,” he stated.
The former Majority Leader emphasized that his choice was based on looking toward the party’s future. He wanted someone who could potentially take over leadership smoothly after Bawumia.
“However, there is a time and season for everything and I also thought that the running mate should be someone who can succeed Bawumia seamlessly. That is why I proposed Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh,” he explained.
This disclosure puts to rest speculation about why Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu wasn’t chosen as running mate himself. His strategic thinking shows he prioritized the party’s long-term success over personal ambition.
