The Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) has been dealt a significant blow in the upcoming December elections, as its replacement flagbearer, Philip Appiah Kubi, was disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) due to errors and illegalities on his nomination form ¹. Despite being given a 10-day window to rectify the issues, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa deemed some irregularities unacceptable, leading to Kubi’s disqualification.
In the wake of this announcement, GFP’s National Organiser, Richard Botchway, revealed that the party’s national executives will convene to decide which candidate or party to support in the December polls. “We’ll meet and throw our support to one political party,” Botchway stated, emphasizing that the GFP will not contest the upcoming election but instead focus on rebuilding for the next election.
The GFP has a history of resilience, having been founded by Akua Donkor, a farmer who was previously disqualified from contesting the presidential election as an independent candidate in 2012. Madam Akua Donkor went on to contest the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, eventually securing 5,574 votes (0.04% of the total votes cast) in the latter. Unfortunately, she passed away on October 28, 2024, leading to Kubi’s nomination as her replacement.
Botchway acknowledged the party’s mourning period but assured that there is no divided front within the GFP. “We started with Madam Akua Donkor in 2012 and 2016, and we will rebuild our party for the next election,” he said. The GFP’s decision to endorse another party will likely have significant implications for the upcoming elections, and all eyes are on their next move.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
