As the 2024 elections draw near, there is intense jostling within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to secure the vice-presidential slot of the party.
This is happening as the NDC flag bearer, John Mahama, takes his “Building the Ghana We Want” campaign tour across the country.
One of the latest contenders for the vice-presidential slot is the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV.
This development comes in spite of the fact that former Minister of Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who partnered with John Mahama in the 2020 election, remains a strong contender for the position.
Other names being considered as possible contenders include former Chief of Staff to President Mahama, Julius Debrah; economist, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson; Member of Parliament for Asunafo, Eric Opoku; and retired Police Commissioner, Nathan Kofi Boakye.
John Mahama is expected to announce his running mate later this month or early March. However, party insiders suggest that the NDC flag bearer is likely to stick with the choice of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, who hails from the Central Region, a decisive area in presidential elections.
The lobbying for the vice-presidential slot reflects the significance of this decision in shaping the electoral landscape of the country.
Lead advocate for the Change Makers Forum, Ivan Tsidi Akrobortu, has emphasized the seriousness and potential impact of the outcome of the NDC’s choice of running mate, urging the flag bearer to consider Togbe Afede for the position.
The group sees Togbe Afede as a perfect choice for the NDC flag bearer, given his expertise in finance, economy, and entrepreneurship. They believe that Togbe Afede is ready to abdicate his stool in fulfillment of the constitutional requirement once he is selected as the running mate.
In addition to Togbe Afede, traditional authorities in the Asunafo South of the Ahafo Region have recommended their Member of Parliament, Eric Opoku, for the vice-presidential position. However, Mr. Mahama has emphasized the significance of following a clear and structured procedure in selecting the most suitable individual to join him on the NDC ticket.
This decision is crucial to the success of the opposition party’s ride to the Jubilee House, the seat of government. The role of a running mate is pivotal, extending beyond the ceremonial to the strategic, and potentially shaping the electoral landscape of the country.
The upcoming presidential vote is expected to be keenly contested, with no party having ever won more than two consecutive terms. The choice of a suitable running mate to the flag bearer is crucial to the success of the opposition party’s ride to the Jubilee House, the seat of government.
John Mahama, who served as President from 2012 to early 2017, has been seeking the opportunity for a second and final term since 2016. This will be his fourth time running for the top job in the country.
As the 2024 elections approach, the decisions made by the NDC flag bearer in choosing a running mate will play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the presidential race.
