John Mahama to name running mate next week

John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is set to announce his running mate for the upcoming 2024 elections next week. The decision, which has been eagerly anticipated, will be made following the conclusion of Mahama’s ongoing Building Ghana Tour.

The NDC party is currently experiencing tension and speculation as to who will emerge as the chosen running mate. According to sources within the party, the selection has been narrowed down to three (3) Regions: Central, Eastern, and Ashanti. Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Julius Debrah, and Kwame Awuah-Darko have been identified as potential candidates representing these regions respectively.

Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang previously served as the running mate for John Dramani Mahama during the December 2020 general elections. However, the pair was unable to secure victory, and Opoku-Agyemang faced criticism for allegedly making little impact on the ticket, as well as losing her home region, Central Region.

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Some prominent NDC elders, including Obed Asamoah, have called for her replacement if the party wishes to increase their chances of success in the next election. Nonetheless, her supporters argue that she has been learning from her previous experience and would make improvements given another opportunity.

Julius Debrah, a former chief of staff during Mahama’s administration from January 2013 to January 2017, is another potential candidate being considered for the NDC ticket. Hailing from the Eastern Region. Debrah is known for his close friendship with John Mahama. Although he denies having any personal interest in the position, he has been actively lobbying his associates for support.

Debrah is highly regarded for his competence and effectiveness in governance and administration, qualities that are deemed essential for a running mate. Furthermore, his extensive influence and ability to resonate with a broad range of voters across the country could bolster Mahama’s chances of victory.

Kwame Awuah-Darko, who is from the Ashanti Region, has also emerged as a strong contender for the running mate role once again. In 2020, he was among the final shortlisted candidates considered for the position, but Mahama ultimately chose Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. Awuah-Darko is a prominent businessman and banker, the third son of the late Nana Awuah-Darko Ampem I, the Nkosuohene of the Asante Juaben traditional area.

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He served as the Managing Director of both the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) and the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) during Mahama’s previous government and is credited with their successful transformations. Additionally, his visionary thinking, strong business background, and family ties to wealthy NDC supporters could prove advantageous for the party.

With the NDC’s decision to consider candidates from the Ashanti and Eastern Regions, they aim to compete with the NPP’s strategy of focusing on the Ashanti Region for their running mate. By selecting a candidate with ties to both regions, the NDC hopes to increase its chances of securing a more balanced distribution of votes in the upcoming elections.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh