A former president of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG), Dr. Raymond Kwojori Ayilu, is set to pick up nomination forms today, July 14, 2023, to contest in the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries. Dr. Ayilu, an economist and youth leader, aims to represent the Navrongo Central constituency in the 2024 general elections.
Joined by his campaign team, Dr. Ayilu is expected to pick up the forms at 11:00 am at the NPP’s campaign office in the constituency. The decision to contest the primaries comes in response to a call from NPP youth in the area, who believe that Dr. Ayilu’s leadership and fresh perspectives can unite the party and secure victory in the upcoming elections.
The NPP lost the Navrongo Central seat to Sampson Tangombu of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2020 general elections. The defeat was attributed to internal divisions among supporters of former MP and Minister of Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda, and the NPP parliamentary candidate for 2020, former Upper East Regional Minister Abayage Tangoba. With a vision to recapture the seat, Dr. Ayilu aims to bring unity to the party and restore the constituency’s traditional support for the NPP.
About Dr Raymond Kwojori Ayilu
Dr. Raymond Ayilu, an accomplished economist, holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Technology Sydney, a Master of Philosophy from the University of Ghana, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hon) in Economics from the University of Cape Coast. He has extensive experience as a researcher, lecturer, and consultant, having worked with organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Throughout his career, Dr. Ayilu has held positions as a committee member, coordinator, and executive in various organizations.
During his time as a student leader, Dr. Ayilu advocated for Ghanaian students, serving as President of GRASAG, PRO of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGs), and President of the Association of Economics Students at the University of Cape Coast. He has been an active member of the NPP student and youth wing and played a significant role in the party’s victory in the 2016 general elections.
In the first term of the NPP government, Dr. Raymond Ayilu served as a Special Assistant at the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources. Collaborating closely with the late MP for Navrongo, Joseph Kofi Adda, he played a pivotal role in securing funding for the Tono water project and other initiatives that have since benefited numerous communities in the Navrongo Constituency.
Dr. Ayilu’s decision to contest the NPP parliamentary primaries reflects his dedication to public service and his commitment to advancing the interests of the party and its constituents. As the race for the NPP primaries gains momentum, all eyes will be on Navrongo Central to witness the unfolding political landscape and the potential impact of Dr. Ayilu’s candidacy.
