The only female among the male aspirants contesting for the National Treasurer position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hajia Ruka Saida Ahmed, popularly known as Hajia Ruka, has expressed overwhelming joy after successfully going through vetting ahead of the party’s National Delegates Conference.
Speaking to journalists at the NPP headquarters in Accra on Monday after facing the National Vetting Committee, Hajia Ruka said the vetting process was intense and her time inside was longer than any other aspirant because of the overwhelming testimony of what she has done for the party over the years.
“The lot that I’ve done for the party, it was so overwhelming. In fact, I think I’m the only one who stayed longer than any person who entered that room because of their testimonies, so I’m happy,” she told the press with excitement.
Hajia Ruka, a well-known financier and women’s organizer of the party, is contesting for the National Treasurer portfolio, a position currently held by Dr Charles Dwamena aka Dr China, who is moving to contest for General Secretary.
When asked how she stands out as the only female among men in the race and what her message will be to delegates, Hajia Ruka said her candidature is a big motivation for women participation in the party.
“My message to the delegates is that women participation in our party is very low, and some of us are role models. Most of the women and girls look up to us, me being the woman, the only woman among the contestants,” she said.
According to her, her strength lies in fundraising and resourcing the party, something she has been doing silently for years without holding a national position.
“I am somebody who is going to bring a lot of money. I’m somebody who is going to raise funds for the party, and I’ve been doing it, and this time I will do more. Yes, there’s one thing I’ve been talking about – fundraising. You know, by the grace of God, if I’m chosen as the next Treasurer, within the first three, four months, I will organize a very big fundraising. I want to start early, I want to start packing funds for the party,” she emphasized.
Hajia Ruka, who is a successful businesswoman, dismissed concerns about combining her business and politics, saying she has mastered the art of time management.
“I mean, profession and politics can go together. I’ve been doing this, combining my businesses with party work already, so this is not the first time. You just have to allocate time for things that you are doing. I’ve been doing it, it will never be a problem,” she explained.
On how she will work with the other national executives if elected, especially being a woman among men, Hajia Ruka said she believes in teamwork and submissiveness for the good of the party.
“My message to delegates is that Hajia Ruka is here. I will resource the various constituencies. I will work with the National Secretary, and the National Chairman. We will work together. I’m not a woman who is going to rub shoulders with them. We are going to work together. It’s teamwork. I’m not somebody who is going to confront them in anything, argue with them in anything. I will be somebody who is so submissive, somebody who listens to whatever advice they bring on board for the benefit of the party for us to win the 2028 elections,” she stressed.
She said the NPP needs a Treasurer who is not just a keeper of money but a fundraiser who can go out and look for money to make the party financially strong at all levels.
Her campaign has centered on three key promises – massive fundraising, transparent management of party funds, and direct resourcing of constituencies, especially orphan constituencies.
Hajia Ruka called on delegates to make history by voting massively for a woman to handle the party’s purse, saying women are more prudent and trustworthy when it comes to financial management.
“Women are good managers. Give the party’s money to a woman and you will see prudence, transparency and accountability,” she said.
The NPP will on October 3, 2026 converge at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to elect new national executives who will lead the party into the 2028 general elections.
With vetting now done for her, Hajia Ruka Saida Ahmed says she is now heading back to the field to meet delegates with a simple message – elect a woman, elect a fundraiser, elect someone who will make sure no constituency lacks resources for the 2028 battle.
She is contesting against several male aspirants for the Treasurer position, but party insiders say her being the only female in the race could be an advantage as the party seeks to encourage gender balance in its top hierarchy.
