Super Delegate Conference Success No Guarantee for General Election Victory, Warns Prof.
Prof. Smart Sarpong, Director of Research and Innovation at Kumasi Technical University, has cautioned that triumph in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Super Delegate Conference does not ensure victory in the forthcoming general flagbearer election on November 4.
“The tactics that worked for the super delegate election might not prove effective for the general election. So, no one should be misled into thinking that past success guarantees future results. Perhaps Bawumia can replicate it, but the others can’t,” he explained in an interview on Opemsuo Radio’s Nkwantannanso with George Adjei on Ausgust 28 .
He said this is a lesson for them to strategize based on their strongholds and address other regions before the election.
“There are some regions where resoundly, they have actually spoken for bawumia. For instance, in Ahafo, Bawumia secured 43.3% compared to Ken’s 33.3%. It’s a contested area. If I were Ken, I’d focus on reversing it. Targeted efforts are crucial.”
Prof. Sarpong urged the runners-up to focus on regions like Ahafo, Central, Western, Greater Accra, Oti, Bono East, and Western North to secure more votes in the general election.
However, he underscored the importance of not neglecting the strongholds, as doing so could be a significant political mistake.
During the recent NPP Super Delegate Conference, four presidential candidates secured positions among the top five flagbearer aspirants. While the aim was to finalize five candidates, two ended up tied.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia led with 68.15% of the total votes, followed by Kennedy Agyapong with 15.03%, and Alan Kyerematen with 10.29%. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto came fourth with 3.90%. The fifth position remained contested between Francis Addai Nimo and Boakye Kyeremateng Ayarko.
Story by Adwoa S. Danso
