By Emmanuel Sowah
Senior member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and seasoned statesman, Lawyer Joe Ghartey, has officially declared his intention to contest in the upcoming NPP Presidential Primaries scheduled for 2025.
A lawyer by profession and a long-standing loyalist of the NPP, Joe Ghartey brings with him decades of political experience and a deep-rooted commitment to the party’s ideals. He is widely known for his integrity, humility, and service to both the NPP and the nation at large.
Joe Ghartey previously served as the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan Constituency in the Western Region, having held the seat from 2004 to 2012. During his tenure, he played vital roles in government under both the Kufuor and Akufo-Addo administrations. Notably, he served as the Attorney General and Minister for Justice from 2006 to 2009 under President John Agyekum Kufuor.
In President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, Ghartey held several high-profile positions, including Minister for Railway Development and Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to national development.
Beyond his ministerial roles, Ghartey has also contributed his expertise to numerous boards and served as a Board Chairman for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). His multifaceted contributions to governance and policy make him one of the most experienced figures within the NPP.
This is not his first attempt at the party’s flagbearership. Joe Ghartey previously expressed interest in leading the party in 2014 and again in 2023. With renewed commitment, he is now making another strong push for the leadership in 2025, hoping to become the party’s presidential candidate for the 2028 general elections.
In declaring his intention, Joe Ghartey emphasized his track record of loyalty and unity, stating that he has always placed the party’s interest above personal ambition. Despite contesting with Nana Akufo-Addo in previous primaries, he rallied behind him in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, contributing significantly to the party’s victories.
Supporters of Joe Ghartey believe he is the leader the party can trust — a unifier and grassroots mobilizer with a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of party structures. They describe him as a man of humanity, faithfulness, and vision, urging delegates to give him the nod to lead the party into the next phase of its journey.
As the race for the NPP flagbearership gains momentum, Joe Ghartey’s candidacy is expected to bring depth, experience, and a message of unity to the contest.
