The candidate of the main opposition party, National Democratic Congress, and ex-President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama has been commended by Professor Ransford Gyampo of the University of Ghana for maintaining Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman as his running mate once more.
The academic who teaches at the Political Science department of the nation’s premier university lauded the decision on the ground that it would help the party avoid unnecessary bickering and power struggles over the position among some individuals and factions in the party.
He opined that “This decision will forestall or prevent unnecessary tension, rivalry, and competition, and some people were thinking that if this slot was given to someone else, it would have given a heads-up to that person because that candidate would have sought to replace John.”
Alluding to this, it can be recalled that prior to his suggestion to the party to retain her as his running mate on the 27th of February 2024, rumors and speculations were rife across the media and political space.
Many were of the view that her candidature didn’t secure the party its desired victory in the previous election, therefore, maintaining her will do the ex-President and the party no good in their bid to regain power once more.
Calls For a Rethink!
Despite making his intention to enter into the contest with her as his running mate clear, rumors of a potential last-minute U-turn is gradually spreading.
Fueling these unsubstantiated reports is the fact that the party’s leader in Parliament is from the same region as the presumptive running mate and some people still question the wisdom of having both key figures from one region.
Moreover, the hostile nature of the party’s change of guard in the hallowed legislative chamber is not lost on the minds of many. Again, there are party faithful who genuinely believe that perceived neglect of a stronghold like the Volta Region cost the party its fortunes in the 2016 elections and would prefer to see regional balance going into this crucial election.
Another argument that was used to buttress her previous nomination relates to gender balance. It was felt that she would add that feminine touch to the highest echelon of political leadership, different from the ceremonial role of the first lady which is ineffective for lacking constitutional backing.
Her critics feel vindicated by the loss in 2016 and do not see the importance of that factor now. For them, it’s a contest largely dependent on issues, not bread and butter.
Government’s Posture
Mindful of the relevance of regional balance in Ghanaian politics, the ruling New Patriotic Party’s reshuffle in Parliament is seen as connected to its running mate affair and its grand scheme of retaining power under the ubiquitous slogan of ‘breaking the eight’.
Furthermore, the fact that both the governing and opposition party have their Parliamentary leaders from the central region, underscores the importance of that swing region as a major battleground in the impending election. As a matter of strategy, both parties are not leaving any stone unturned in their quest to emerge victorious come December 2024.
However, regardless of how one looks at it, this election is a Northern affair. For the first in the history of the country, particularly the 4th republican era, both the ruling party and its main challenger have their presidential candidates from the Northern part of the country.
For the ruling New Patriotic Party, the stake cannot be higher. It has been touted and alleged to be an Akan Party due to its areas of strength and support lying in the Akan belt of the country. This time though, it has “reinvented the wheel” by bringing a candidate from the North for the first time in its history.
It remains to be seen how this factor influences and shapes the outcome of the elections. Certainly, though, it gives fresh breath and a sense of inclusivity to Ghanaian political odyssey.
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