Development expert and lecturer at C.K Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Dr Sumaila Asaah, has projected former President John Dramani Mahama as winner in a landslide victory in the upcoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearership contest.
According to him, it is very clear that members within the NDC regard Mr Mahama as the best candidate to represent the party in the 2024 election. As such, the few who may have issues with him may be the outliers who will vote for the other candidates.
“It’s a confirmed race that John Mahama is going to be the flagbearer of the NDC come 2024… I don’t see any result that will be different from 2016 when we had about six or so people contesting the former President. This time round, I see a more overwhelming result even beyond the 95% that he had. This could be more of an endorsement of almost close to 100%.”
Dr Sumaila Asaah
Dr Asaah indicated that he does not foresee the rest of the candidates vying for the flagbearership position in the party getting up to 2% at the end of the contest. He explained that these contestants are only registering their interests for future political ambitions.
“Some may probably be projecting an ego to probably contest the former President. So, it’s good and the NDC should see it as an opportunity to build their internal democracy…”
Dr Sumaila Asaah
Dr Asaah revealed that the developments within the party, especially with the interest shown by some members of the party to contest for the flagbearer position is not surprising because over the years, names like Dr Duffuor and Kojo Bonsu have surfaced in conversations. In light of this, he noted that this will bring to bear how liberal the party is.
So, it’s not something I’m surprised about. To some extent, I thought maybe they just wanted to test the waters but at a point, it was confirmed that they will be picking the forms… It is the beauty of democracy that we are building in this country. For that matter, I welcome that kind of development in the NDC.”
Dr Sumaila Asaah
Exhibition of democracy within the NDC
The KNUST development expert highlighted that historically, the NDC has demonstrated some high level of democracy which adds up to its current status. Owing to this, he emphasized that although some of these contests might not necessarily result in the person winning, it provides a precedent to the democracy inherent in the party.
“For instance, some school of thoughts have postulated that Kojo Bonsu is probably preparing himself for the 2028 contest. If you look at it, he’s relatively young and has the clout in the area of the Ashantis and for that matter, the people of Ashanti having the interest of ruling the NDC, may project somebody like that.
“For me, I think that he’s probably preparing the ground for himself for the future. But Duffuor to me, is my concern. Looking at his age, he probably will be interested in getting it now because in 2028, I don’t think he will have the age to contest. So, this time, I don’t see him only preparing for the future but wanting it now. The unfortunate thing is that he doesn’t really have the crowd to win it.”
Dr Sumaila Asaah
Commenting on the decision by a former finance minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor’s intention to vie for the flagbearership position, Dr Asaah stated that Dr Duffuor must not be regarded as “just wasting his time”. He underscored that if supporters and members alike within the party interpret it that way, it becomes inimical to the party.
On the contrary, Dr Asaah stated that the zeal and commitment of Dr Duffuor to the cause of contesting is very important to the party and must be seen as an opportunity to get alternative views.
“So, as the contest is going on, you’ll see different proposals for the development of the party and the NDC should probably take that as an opportunity to collate all these views from different contestants that may come with divergent views, different from the President.”
Dr Sumaila Asaah
Dr Asaah emphasized that the NDC needs to present a manifesto convincing to Ghanaians since the public is becoming more discerning and will not take “flimsy, sloganeering things” in manifestoes.
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