For some days now there has been horse-trading and high-level politicking over who would become the nation’s number two under President Mahama in the social media and the various newspapers.Stepping into the shoes of Late Economic Surgeon Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur.
Selecting a running mate is so important that it can either make or mar Mahama’s race to Ghana’s seat of power again in 2020.
When it comes to choosing a great mate, whether in politics or business, the essentials extend well beyond charisma, connections and political leverage. The key foundational elements are trust, loyalty and complementary skills and qualities.
Vice presidential picks should always share values and vision, and should not have a dislike for one another, in order not to produce divisiveness in the administration. it seemed the pairing of great; revealing and must have an extraordinary pairing of skills, influence, leadership, and trust.
With the increased political consciousness among the electorates, Mr Mahama’s choice of a running mate can either mean a return to power for the NDC or victory for the incumbent, Nana Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2020.
Like the choice of a spouse, selecting a running mate is so important that it can either make or mar Mahama’s race to the seat of power in 2020.
A lot of names have come up but this decision is so important that we’re looking for someone with a proven track record of competence, character and integrity to deliver Ghana from the mess the NPP has created in over three years
At the moment, these are the five names on the table.
- Dr Samuel Sarpong Former Mayor of Kumasi, Former Ashanti Regional Minister, a Respected Ashanti man who cuts across. Before Election 2016 he was co-opted as a member of the Central Regional NDC. He commands a lot of respect and has the pedigree to Partner John Dramani Mahama. He’s a mobilizer and a Fund-raiser. And works in tandem with the Grassroots of the Party, a detrabilized Personality who cuts across various ethnic groups and a heavyweight in Ghana politics.
You may not count him in but he’s top on the list of possible running mates for Mahama. His relationship with Mahama has improved in recent times.
“Having personally followed him in the past six months, listened and interacted with him on a number of issues negatively affecting our society, I observed in him a person who has the burning desire to leave a footprint in the sands of time.
As a vice president, Sarpong will not be a figurehead. He has the necessary experience for the job,” When it comes Corruption, he’s an anti Corruption crusader who has worked as a Former Regional director of the Former Serious Fraud Office now EOCO. He’s also been a former Central Regional Minister. A friend of the less-privileged, compassionate and zealous in service, a man of uncommon humility, a loyal, dependable and selfless patriot.
- Alexander Percival Segbefia. A learned person who is also in the race. He’s a party man and has been able to prove himself as a humble leader who has exhibited that his humility is known beyond bounds. What the people of Ghana are looking for is a humble selfless, truly confident intelligent, non-corrupt God fearing person who is working and focused. His strong record on ethics and government integrity cannot be questioned in Ghana. He was a Former Crown State Attorney in Westminster London, former NDC ChairmanUK/Ireland, A former Minister of Health. Hon Segbefia was trusted by the late President Mills who made him a deputy Chief of Staff in his administration, then Deputy Defense Minister before Health Minister.
He is from the Volta Region and is respected amongst Ghanaians, his perfect human relations, courtesies, and good communication skills is his trump card. Ghanaians are always happy to hear him speak and listen to him with rapt attention when he speaks. He’s currently the Director of International Relations of the NDC party. He’s quieter, an obviously ambitious politician and a silent political heavyweight. He will bring on board Complementary Skills.
Alex, by appearance and history, is not a noisemaker; he is more a man of the center, and already has the finesse for a vice-presidential relationship, as he has a very warming face with the public. He is anti-indiscipline and a serious person when it comes to working for Ghana.
He is grounded in a mind of independency. He is all about reality rather than a wide-open fantasy. He is a man of character. He is a staunch Christian and a man of tolerance.
Professor Jane Nana Opoku Agyeman – First female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and the former Education Minister is also eyeing the job. She is remembered for implementing programmes centered on Public-Private Partnership which attracted several businesses to the Educational sector reforms our educational system In Ghana, from free School uniforms to E Blocks Infrastructure
Professor Naan Opoku Agyeman played a key role in selling President Mahama’s impressive performance in the Educational sector under the NDC.
She might not have clay feet but has a harmonious working relationship with President Mahama and has shown a divine bond of friendship and understanding between themselves and the people of Ghana.
When it comes to choosing a great mate, whether in politics or business, the essentials extend well beyond charisma, connections and political leverage. The key foundational elements are trust, loyalty and complementary skills and qualities.
Vice presidential picks should always share values and vision, and should not have dislike for one another, in order not to produce divisiveness. Professor Naana Opoku Agyemang stands tall, a Lecturer turned POLITICIAN. sources close to Mahama say Ghanaians should not be surprised if President Mahama names her as a female of high academic credentials and social repute from the central Region again 2020 for a running mate.
- General Mosquito. Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia could also emerge as Mahama’s running mate for the race to the Jubilee House. in 2020..
He’s the Chief Executive of the NDC party and is a tried and tested Politician holding that position for many years. Brought the party from opposition to power and back to opposition. Some say in Politics you need to move higer and not stagnant. As a tried and tested Politican he may have the magic wand to bring the party back as a Running Mate. It’s alleged that all the regional chairmen support him and is considered to “pacify” the grass roots” which was marginalized under the Mahama administration”.
A running mate would emerge after due consultations with NDC leaders ”
- Hon Kofi Buah former ENERGY Minister under President Mahama the only sitting MP in the race.He cuts across and has good human relations. He’s a grassroots man and has an enviable record when it comes to grassroots politics.The Ruling NPP is never comfortable with him because of his pedigree in politics and uprooting the Experienced NPP current Chairman Hon Freddy Blay from his seat in Elembelle. His yes is his yes and constantly winning new people to the Party. He’s a mobilizer in Politics He might not also have a clay feet but has a harmonious working relationship with President Mahama. No matter how many push-ups the lizard does, it can never be as big as a crocodile. Hes in the race.
Pope Francis said “Our dignity begins with (work).””Power, money, culture do not give us dignity, society sets certain standards by which people measure and it is the conviction of every Ghanaian that if the nation cannot bequeath anything to Ghanaians at all, it must at least bequeath to them, a leader with a high sense of morality, uprightness, and humility. Kofi Buah is like a Termite, a noiseless achiever. He can be very beneficial to the NDC as a running mate.
Akwasi Oppong Fosu is a Ghanaian politician. He was a former Member of Parliament for the Amenfi East constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress. He’s an Authority on Decentralization and a Former Minister of Local government under the NDC John Mahama Administration. He’s also tipped as someone who can complement the effort of the John Mahama Ticket as a Running mate. He’s respected and has good human relations with the grassroots. The Akan card will also give him an edge. .He’s described as a time Stickler and accepted by many.
He was born on February 1, 1958, Afranse. His political connections and leverage cuts across the sub-region. He’s an experienced gentleman with decent language in politics.
By: Daniel Osei Mensah
