NPP foreign executives commend Joe Ghartey's backing out of race

New Patriotic Party executives in China, Nigeria and Italy have commended Joe Ghartey for backing out of the party's presidential primaries slated for October 18, this year.

Even though he made it to the top five at Sunday's Super Delegates' Conference with uninspiring figures, he has deemed it fit to step down to supposedly allow a healthy competition between arch rivals Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Mr. Ghartey, who doubles as the second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, obtained 22 votes, representing 2.98 per cent of the total votes cast.

On behalf of his other executives, the party's Chairman in China, Charles Dwamena observed at a news conference in Accra Monday that by his action, Mr. Ghartey has acknowledged the “wishes of the masses of our party by voluntarily withdrawing from the race.”

The executives further appealed to the other aspiring candidates girding their loins for the October 18 primaries to also step down and rally behind the winner (Nana Addo) of Sunday's Super Delegates' Conference.

“As much as we respect and recognize the constitutional rights of the other candidates to go for the October 18th election; we humbly appeal to them to consider the larger picture in the supreme interest of the party and throw their weight behind the winner of the Super Delegates' Conference,” he said.

To Mr. Dwamena, such consideration would go a long way to foster unity within the NPP.

“However, if they decide to pursue their constitutional rights; we wish them all the best,” Mr. Dwamena concluded.

Nana Addo polled 598 out of 740 total valid votes cast, indicating 80.78 per cent while Alan Kyerematen obtained some 59 votes, representing 2.78 per cent.