Eric Sakyi Nketiah, lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has publicly announced his intention to withdraw from the 2023 New Patriotic Party(NPP) presidential race.
It would be recalled that on April 25, 2023, Mr. Nketiah made an official and public declaration of intention to run in the 2023 NPP Presidential Primaries. He pledged to abide by the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the presidential primaries as well as the Constitution of the NPP.
He added that the decision to contest in the presidential primaries was taken after prayer, reflection, consultation with a number of the grassroots of the party, and careful consideration.
In a statement issued by him on June 20, 2023, he officially declared his intention to step down from the primaries and congratulated his colleagues who are contesting in the 2023 NPP presidential race.
“I hereby officially and publicly withdraw my intention to run in the 2023 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Primaries. In doing so, I wish to congratulate all the aspirants who are running in the Presidential Primaries and wish them well. I wish them the best in health, the wisdom of God, and the safety and protection of the Lord God Almighty. May the best person win as all energies are marshaled toward the “Breaking the 8” Agenda! At the end of the day, may the huge masses of the Ghanaian people be the beneficiaries of good leadership.”
“It would be recalled that on 25th April 2023, I made an official and public declaration of intention to run in the 2023 NPP Presidential Primaries. I pledged to abide by the Rules and Regulations governing the conduct of the Presidential Primaries as well as the Constitution of the NPP. I said that the decision was taken to run in 2023
Presidential Primaries were taken after prayer, reflection, consultation with a number of the grassroots of the party, and careful consideration. It was not a decision lightly taken”.
“I also said that it was a very difficult decision to take considering all the opportunities that time, life, and destiny had presented my way. It was clear in my mind that I was doing this for God and my country. I wish to also say that this decision to withdraw from the 2023 NPP Presidential Primaries was not a decision lightly taken in view of the fact that I have had to spend several weeks of intense traveling across the country only to come up with this decision. During these weeks of intense political and social engagements, I have been involved in meetings with delegates, brisk media engagements, social media outreaching, meetings of campaign committees and sub-committees, meetings with identifiable groups, etc, etc, etc”, excerpts from his statement read.
The lecturer cum politician urged the incumbent government and the next government to tackle issues affecting the socio-economic development of the state.
“Ghanaians want the ruling party to engage in foreign affairs that bring the most profit to the nation. Ghanaians want good governance. Ghanaians want an improvement in the healthcare delivery system, including progress in the promised and much talked about Agenda 111 project intended to raise healthcare standards in Ghana. Ghanaians want decent housing. Ghanaians want a Judiciary that makes this nation a land of true freedom and justice.”
“Ghanaians want a land management and land tenure system that truly befits our dignity as a modern nation (not landguardism, multiple sales of lands, and the operation of hoodlums and gangsters in the land sector). Ghanaians want a police service that has the ability to manage property rights and entitlements relating to land. Ghanaians want responsive and responsible media. Ghanaians ordinary person”.
“Ghanaians want proper settlement, care, and support for pensioners and other senior citizens. Ghanaians want job creation and employment, particularly for the youth. Ghanaians want a modernized transportation system, etc, etc, etc. These are the issues of our time and these are the matters that should concern the ruling party”.
As it stands now, among all the candidates vying in the 2023 NPP presidential race, only Eric Sakyi Nketiah has not picked a form to contest in the primaries and his declaration now shows that he is out of the race.
Picking forms for the presidential race in the NPP costs GH¢50,000 and is non-refundable.
In addition, a potential candidate pays a non-refundable fee of GH¢300,000, to file the nomination forms.
The NPP is closing the nominations and filing on Saturday, June 24, 2023, and all other aspirants have picked forms with five of them filing their nominations.
In all, ten potential aspirants have picked their forms to contest in the 2023 NPP presidential race.
The aspirants are Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Minister for Trade and Industry Alan Kyerematen, former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central; Kwabena Adjei Agyapong, a former General-Secretary of the Party; Joe Ghartey, the former Member of Parliament for Essikadu-Ketan and former Minister of Railway Development; Boakye Agyarko, former Minister of Energy; Mr. Addai Nimoh, former MP for Mampong; Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, a former Minister of Trade and Industry; and Kwadwo Nsafoa Opoku, an energy expert.
Find the full statement on Eric Sakyi Nketiah’s withdrawal below