John Mahama and Mohammed Abass
A POLITICAL Science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mohammed Abass, has given thumbs-up to the latest report by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) which called on the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to present a fresh candidate for the 2024 general election.
According to the report, the NDC could brighten its chances of winning the 2024 elections if it heeds to the prescription to present a new face to help revitalise the party’s prospects.
The research and analysis division of the Economist Group suggested in its latest report on Ghana’s political and economic outlook that ex-President John Dramani Mahama, who led the party three times with two unsuccessful election campaigns in 2016 and 2020, is now a spent force.
The political scientist said the EIU got it right, intimating that Ghanaians have seen it all about Mr. Mahama as a Vice President, President and opposition leader.
“They are right, revitalisation is needed. If you look at what the NDC has gone through and the last elections that we had, you will clearly see that there is a need for revitalisation. I have said that with somebody like Mahama, we have seen all of Mahama. Looking at his political career being in the presidency, being in opposition campaigning and then unable to make it,” Mr. Abass told Starr FM yesterday.
He continued, “So I was suggesting that if he is going to be the candidate again, then the revitalisation must come from another angle. In this particular case, I am looking at them having a very vibrant running mate.”
“Somebody who will come and complement his weaknesses and then bring in some fresh ideas and be the man to be seen doing all the work just as we had during the time of Bawumia and Nana Akufo-Addo,” he indicated further.
The lecturer said that could be one way the NDC can bring revival to the ticket, or ex-President Mahama backs off to allow a new person to hold the party’s flag.
Mr. Abass acknowledged that it would also be a challenge for the NDC to do away with former President Mahama, who is also “the most marketed” person within the party with good financial muscle.
“They (NDC) missed the opportunity earlier for what we are talking about now, which is getting a new person and marketing that person. That opportunity was lost when Mahama himself decided to come back. Because at that time I had argued that, that was the opportunity to allow others the platform so that they can also come and market themselves before we get to times like this.
“But they missed it and they are in this dilemma, he is the only marketed person they have, so for the revitalisation, they need a charismatic person to pair with him,” he posited.
The EIU report has said the NDC “stands a reasonable chance of winning” the 2024 general election, but needs a new candidate to overhaul its prospects.
The EIU indicated that its baseline forecast is anchored on the “ongoing public dissatisfaction with the slow pace of improvements in governance – such as infrastructure development, job creation and easing of corruption – will trigger anti-incumbency factors and push the electorate to seek a change.”
The report added that “Ghanaians do not believe Mr. Mahama, who is considering running again, represents the change they are looking for.”
By Ernest Kofi Adu