The political atmosphere in the country is gradually heating up as the all-important general elections of 2020 draws nearer.
Slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the political terrain is gathering momentum with former President Mahama’s decision not to announce the choice of his running mate 6 months to the elections being one of the topical issues.
Pressure has been mounting from within and without his party.
Mahama Ayari, Bawku Central MP is of the opinion that the decision to delay the announcement of the Mahama’s running mate is unstrategic and may affect the party’s chances.
“I honestly would think that our flagbearer should have nominated a running mate by now. He has had a lot of time, he is a candidate of a major opposition party, he was chosen long ago and so he’s had enough time to have decided on who should be his running mate.”
“I think that after a while he will lose his sympathy of COVID-19 as an excuse frankly speaking. Somewhere in March, in April, people didn’t really want to pay attention to who is going to be running mate but going forward from now people are going to be asking you what is going on,” he said.
The New Patriotic Party has boasted that the quality of Dr Bawumia is the reason the National Democratic Congress is struggling to name a running mate because they can’t find a suitable match.
But for the likes of Asiedu Nketia and Alex Mould, they are willing to partner the flagbearer of the party, who lost the 2016 elections by close to 1 million votes as an incumbent President.
The defeat made him the first President in Ghana’s history, who had also served just a term, to lose by such a margin.
Whilst Alex Mould touts his command over economic, trade and oil and gas industries, making him suitable for the running mate position, Asiedu Nketia considers it an opportunity to serve the party as he has done over the years.
”I don’t think the way people look at political positions as things that ought to be enjoyed. I don’t look at political positions like that. I see positions as responsibilities. So if you are asking me whether I am ready to carry that responsibility, I say yes. I am ready to carry that responsibility. If in the opinion of the flagbearer and others, I should carry it to enhance our chances of winning, I won’t run away from it,” the NDC General Secretary said in an interview.
The former President, who has been reserved throughout the debate over his running mate in the public sphere, tweeted a jab at his critics and opposition.
“It can be frustrating psychosis when you are unable to correctly predict the winning ticket of your opponent,” he mocked.
It will be the third time Akufo-Addo and John Mahama will face off in an election after 2012 and 2016 elections.
Whereas Nana Akufo-Addo has maintained the same vice all through his presidential candidature, John Mahama has to select a candidate for the position after his running mate and subsequent Vice in office, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur, passed away.