Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy will not contest the opposition New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer race scheduled for later this year.
The former aspirant has told XYZ News that: “I think for now there are personal reasons why I’m leaning against contesting.”
“I think there are others who can contest. I think that at some future date when I think things are more settled in my life, I’ll certainly consider that, but I certainly will do whatever I can to help the party as I have done even from this far away,” the medical Doctor who is currently based in the U.S.A told Isaac Kaledzi on Strict Proof on Thursday.
He said: “I think that the Presidency is not everything. But when you are going in, you should be ready [in] mind, body and soul, to give to your party and your nation the best that you can give”.
Pressed further for emphasis as to whether he should be ruled out of the race for a 2016 flagbearer, Dr. Kennedy said: “Well indeed, probably, I think that going out now will hopefully, some day, make me a better candidate and a better President.”
Dr. Kennedy was one of 17 candidates who vied for the slot in 2007. He got just one vote. Others who have so far expressed interest in contesting the presidential primaries include two-time flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; twice-failed aspirant Alan Kyeremanten; former Minister of Trade Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; former health Minister Dr. Richard Anane; Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Essikado-Ketan Member of Parliament, Joe Ghartey and also Mampong MP Francis Addai Nimoh.
Other hopefuls expected to join the race include heart surgeon Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng; former information Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Ghana’s former High Commissioner to the UK and Ambassador to Ireland, Isaac Osei and former Asuogyaman Legislator Kofi Osei Ameyaw.
If all of them insist on running, the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) will be compelled to whittle down the number to just five as stipulated by the party’s constitution. An Electoral College of nearly 150,000 will subsequently vote for a winner.