John Dramani Mahama and Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Former President John Dramani Mahama is seeking for a new running mate following his decision to abandon Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang who partnered him in the 2020 election.
According to sources close to the former president, there is a strong hunt for a replacement for Prof. Opoku-Agyemang who was nominated vice presidential candidate for the 2020 general election.
In light of this, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is currently on a shopping spree for a new candidate by conducting a listening survey among its delegates to determine the most preferred running mate for Mahama.
However, that decision has caused a sharp division among Mahama’s inner circles who still support the candidature of the former Education Minister in Mahama’s previous administration.
Those pushing for the removal of Prof. Opoku- Agyemang are of the opinion that she added little to the ticket as the NDC lost the presidential votes in her home region, Central.
Other proponents are arguing that the leadership of Parliament is tilted to the Central Region, therefore, other regions should be considered to also bring votes to the kitty.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang did not attend the recent wreath-laying ceremony for the late President John Evans Atta Mills at the Asomdwe Park.
Other checks indicated that she was out of the country for medical check-up.
However, she was seen at Mills’ memorial lecture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) yesterday.
With the party’s decision to widen the consultative process in selecting a running mate for Mahama, names of prominent NDC figures have emerged.
They include former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; former Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority, Sylvester Mensah and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Joshua Alabi.
Others are former BOST Managing Director, Kingsley Kwame Awuah Darko; former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Alex Kofi Mould and former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Eric Opoku, who enjoys the support of Lordina Mahama.
The unexpected news of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s exclusion from the presidential ticket has sparked speculation within political circles.
The NDC is currently engaged in an internal survey to ascertain the favoured choice of its delegates for Mahama’s vice presidential candidate.
The listening survey, which is being conducted nationwide, aims to gather the opinions and preferences of NDC delegates regarding the selection of the running mate. It’s not clear if the former president is in support of the survey as his inner circles are mostly in favour of Prof. Opoku- Agyemang.
Political analysts have suggested that the withdrawal of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang may be an indication of the former president’s willingness to explore alternative options for his vice presidential candidate.
While the specific reasons behind the decision remain unknown, it is expected that Mahama will carefully consider the survey results before finalising his choice.
The NDC, under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama, is gearing up for a highly anticipated electoral battle in the 2024 general elections. As one of the major political parties in Ghana, the NDC’s selection of a vice presidential candidate will play a crucial role in shaping the party’s campaign strategy and appeal to voters.
Party officials have assured the public that the listening survey will be conducted transparently and in accordance with the NDC’s democratic principles. The final decision on the vice presidential candidate is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, after careful deliberation and consideration of the survey results.
With Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang not likely to be in the picture, the NDC and its supporters eagerly await the outcome of the listening survey, which will shape the future of the party’s leadership and its electoral prospects in the 2024 general elections.
By Vincent Kubi