Joseph Osei-Owusu popularly known as Joe Wise
Chairman of the National Planning Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Joseph Osei-Owusu popularly known as Joe Wise, has explained why NPP flagbearer hopeful Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was the only potential candidate who addressed delegates during the party’s 2025 National Annual Delegates Conference held at the University of Ghana, Legon, on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
According to Osei-Owusu, Dr Bawumia was allowed to speak due to his status as a former Vice President of the Republic on the NPP ticket.
He further clarified that two of the party’s former presidents, John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, were unable to attend the event.
“One of our former vice presidents has passed away, so the only person available who had served the nation in such a high office was Dr Bawumia. That is why he was allowed to speak. If that gave him any advantage, it was because of his position and not a decision of the planning committee,” Joe Wise stated.
Speaking in an interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on Monday, July 21, 2025, he reiterated, “Bawumia spoke because he was Vice President. He was the only person among the candidates who spoke at the event because of his position as former Vice President.
“The two former presidents didn’t show up, and one of our former vice presidents is no longer alive, so he was the only available person to address the gathering.”
Joe Wise emphasised that if Bawumia’s appearance was perceived as giving him an upper hand over other aspirants, it was solely due to his previous status as Vice President and not a deliberate act by the committee to favour him.
Meanwhile, among the top NPP stalwarts who have declared their interest in contesting the party’s flagbearer position are Kennedy Agyapong, former Member of Parliament for Assin Central; Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, former Minister of Education; Bryan Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Abetifi; and Boakye Agyarko, among others.
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