Six out of the seven surviving founding fathers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti region have wholeheartedly thrown their support behind Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto as the party's most viable contender for the coveted flagbearer position.

Described as the 'Big Six' due to their substantial influence in contemporary Ghanaian politics, these elder statesmen visited Dr. Akoto at his residence in Danyame on August 5, 2023.

Led by Chairman Kofi Obiri Yeboah, they engaged with Dr. Akoto, delving into his vision for the party and the nation at large.

Their collective aim is to reignite unity within the party as they approach the 2024 general elections.

The esteemed members of this group include Akwasi Gyeabour Asante, William Asafu-Agyei, George Appiah, Nicholas Kofi Nyantakyi, and Peter Kwabena Anokye. The seventh member, Owusu Badu, sought permission from the Chairman to be absent.

The 'Big Six' expressed unwavering confidence in Dr. Akoto's ability to steer both the NPP and Ghana, citing his exemplary track record within the party and his tenure as the Minister of Food and Agriculture under President Akufo-Addo.

This endorsement comes as part of Dr. Akoto's campaign for the NPP flagbearer position. Similar endorsements have already been received from constituency chairpersons in the Greater Accra, Volta, and Central regions of the country.

Dr. Akoto expressed his elation and gratitude for the support shown by the Founding Fathers, emphasizing the significance of their backing. He highlighted his familial connection to the party's origins and the role his father played in its formation.

“I am elated by the endorsement of the Founding Fathers of the NPP in the Ashanti Region. The promise that their votes will be for me come August 26, 2023 signifies the confidence they have reposed in me and I am very grateful to them for expressing such huge support for my candidature to bear the flag of the NPP”, he noted.

He added, “this show of support by the Founding Fathers is very significant to me because as you know the origin of the party started with the intervention of my father, Baffour Osei Akoto, who together with others, on the 19th of September, 1994 performed certain rites for the creation of the National Liberation Movement (NLM),made up of the Northern Peoples Party, led by the late S.G Dombo;the Togo Congress and others from the Anlo Youth Organisation and the Greater Accra region came together to form the United Party (UP) soon after independence in 1957.

Allen Gyimah, Deputy Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NPP and Coordinator for 'Team Akoto' in the Ashanti Region, underscored the party's desire for effective leadership in the upcoming elections.

The resounding endorsement from the 'Big Six' further solidifies Dr. Akoto's candidacy as he strives to lead the NPP into the 2024 general elections.