By Eugene Davis
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to consider appointing Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, as its running mate for the 2028 general elections.
According to Mr. Ayariga, Ms. Appiagyei — popularly known as Mama Pat — brings a wealth of experience to the table and would be a smart and strategic choice as a vice-presidential candidate.
Contributing on the floor of the House, the Majority Leader said “I challenge the NPP that in the next election I dare them to also put a woman as a vice presidential candidate – and I know that Mama Pat is a strong candidate -from the Ashanti region, starting as a mayor, MP, a deputy minister and and now a deputy leader, she clearly is fit to be a running mate, from the strongest political base of the NPP
I challenge the NPP that in the next election we want to see a woman as a running mate.”he said.
Mr Ayariga, also the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, said the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) had already shown the way by appointing Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as its running-mate and subsequently elected as Ghana’s first female Vice President, a historic feat in Ghanaian politics.
“We, the NDC, can only go forward…,” he said amid cheers on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday when responding to the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s comments that President Mahama was not committed to gender equity.
Mr Ayariga dismissed some allegations made by the Minority Leader to the effect that only few women were appointed into ministerial positions in the Mahama-led Government.
A Pivotal Career in Parliament and Champion for Gender Equality
The Asokwa MP and Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, is one of Parliament’s seasoned members, having served since 2017 and currently in her fourth term. Among her notable achievements, she chaired the Gender Committee and played a key role in passing the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Bill, 2024, a landmark legislation aimed at ensuring equal representation for women.
In the eighth Parliament, Ms. Appiagyei also served on the Appointments Committee, stepping in as vice-chair during the vetting of Supreme Court judges, including Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong and Justice Sophia Bernasko Essah. Her commitment to empowering young girls in Asokwa has led to educational initiatives that support adolescent girls in reaching their full potential.
As calls grow for her elevation in the NPP running mate race, her tenure as Deputy Majority Leader in the eight parliament was seen as instrumental in strengthening the Ashanti Caucus and stabilizing the party’s base.
A Resilient Political and Cultural Leader
Ms. Appiagyei first entered Parliament in 2013, succeeding Maxwell Kofi Jumah, and has since worked tirelessly to make Asokwa a model constituency. Before joining the legislature, she made history as the first woman to serve as Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly from 2005 to 2009.
In 2024, Ms. Patricia Appiagyei represented President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), where she delivered the keynote address. This high-profile engagement further underscored her leadership abilities and her role as an influential voice in Ghanaian and African politics.
With the New Patriotic Party seeking to regroup and reclaim power, Ms. Appiagyei’s supporters anticipate her continued rise, confident in her dedication to serve and transform her community.
Patricia AppiagyeiMajority Leader urges NPP to pick ‘Mama Pat’ as 2028 Running Mate
By Eugene Davis
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to consider appointing Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, as its running mate for the 2028 general elections.
According to Mr. Ayariga, Ms. Appiagyei — popularly known as Mama Pat — brings a wealth of experience to the table and would be a smart and strategic choice as a vice-presidential candidate.
Contributing on the floor of the House, the Majority Leader said “I challenge the NPP that in the next election I dare them to also put a woman as a vice presidential candidate – and I know that Mama Pat is a strong candidate -from the Ashanti region, starting as a mayor, MP, a deputy minister and and now a deputy leader, she clearly is fit to be a running mate, from the strongest political base of the NPP
I challenge the NPP that in the next election we want to see a woman as a running mate.”he said.
Mr Ayariga, also the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, said the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) had already shown the way by appointing Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as its running-mate and subsequently elected as Ghana’s first female Vice President, a historic feat in Ghanaian politics.
“We, the NDC, can only go forward…,” he said amid cheers on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday when responding to the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s comments that President Mahama was not committed to gender equity.
Mr Ayariga dismissed some allegations made by the Minority Leader to the effect that only few women were appointed into ministerial positions in the Mahama-led Government.
A Pivotal Career in Parliament and Champion for Gender Equality
The Asokwa MP and Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, is one of Parliament’s seasoned members, having served since 2017 and currently in her fourth term. Among her notable achievements, she chaired the Gender Committee and played a key role in passing the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Bill, 2024, a landmark legislation aimed at ensuring equal representation for women.
In the eighth Parliament, Ms. Appiagyei also served on the Appointments Committee, stepping in as vice-chair during the vetting of Supreme Court judges, including Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong and Justice Sophia Bernasko Essah. Her commitment to empowering young girls in Asokwa has led to educational initiatives that support adolescent girls in reaching their full potential.
As calls grow for her elevation in the NPP running mate race, her tenure as Deputy Majority Leader in the eight parliament was seen as instrumental in strengthening the Ashanti Caucus and stabilizing the party’s base.
A Resilient Political and Cultural Leader
Ms. Appiagyei first entered Parliament in 2013, succeeding Maxwell Kofi Jumah, and has since worked tirelessly to make Asokwa a model constituency. Before joining the legislature, she made history as the first woman to serve as Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly from 2005 to 2009.
In 2024, Ms. Patricia Appiagyei represented President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), where she delivered the keynote address. This high-profile engagement further underscored her leadership abilities and her role as an influential voice in Ghanaian and African politics.
With the New Patriotic Party seeking to regroup and reclaim power, Ms. Appiagyei’s supporters anticipate her continued rise, confident in her dedication to serve and transform her community.
Patricia Appiagyei
