Just 48 hours after the election of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, the race for the Running Mate position in 2024 has already begun.
Following the NPP Primaries on November 4, 2023, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emerged victorious with 118,210 votes, representing 61.47%. His main rival, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a Member of Parliament for Assin Central, secured 71,996 votes, representing 37.41%.
The question of who will be the Running Mate has become a hot topic, with more than 11 names being thrown into the mix. Interestingly, most of these potential candidates hail from the Ashanti Region.
One notable contender is Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Energy, who is seen as a strong possibility to be Dr. Bawumia’s running mate. Other names that have been linked to the position include Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Joe Osei-Owusu (Joe Wise).
However, the most surprising name to emerge in the running mate discussion is Apostle Professor Kwadwo Nimfour Opoku Onyinah.
According to sources reported by Mynewsgh, Opoku Onyinah, a renowned Ghanaian theologian and televangelist who previously served as the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, is being seriously considered for the role.
It is believed that his influence among the Christian Clergy has played a significant role in Dr. Bawumia’s popularity within the Christian community. Supporters of Opoku Onyinah also highlight the fact that he hails from the Ashanti Region, which is crucial for the NPP’s success in the 2024 election.
Brief Background
He was born in Aduman in the Ashanti Region to Opanin Kwame Onyinah and Maame Rebecca Akosua Addai of Aduman.
As per Akan tradition, he was named after his grand-uncle, a popular chief of Dwumakyi village called Opanin Nimfour. He grew up with the name
Onyinah founded the Pentecost International Worship Centre, a ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1993. He holds a doctor of philosophy degree in theological studies from the University of Birmingham (2002) and a master of theology in applied theology from Regents Theological College. He is the last of the Apostles who walked with the founder of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor James McKeown. Onyinah joined the ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1976 and has served in various positions, including rector of Pentecost University College, an executive council member and the first International Missions Director of the church. He is also an adjunct lecturer at the Pentecost Theological Seminary. Onyinah served as a member of the National Peace Council in Ghana, the president of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council from 2011 to 2019, and chairman of the Ghana Evangelism Committee from 2010 to date.
