Senior political science lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, has stated that the leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has done the needful in retaining his 2020 running mate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman.
The NDC’s two-time flag bearer submitted the name of the first female vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Opoku-Agyeman, to the party’s national executive council last week.
The party officially announced its running mate on Thursday, March 7, at a press briefing held at the party’s head office in Accra.
Dr. Asante Otchere, who had previously predicted that Mr. Mahama would retain his 2020 running mate, described the ‘John and Jane’ ticket as a “haven for the party”, prior to the announcement.
Speaking to Alfred Ocansey on Ghana Tonight, Dr. Asante Otchere said, “It did not come to me as a surprise.”
He added, “I think that the leader of the NDC has done the needful…and obviously it is a formidable team so to speak if they are supposed to go for the 2024 election.”
Dr. Asante Otchere maintained that the running mate and the flag bearer should “complement each other,” adding, “Where your shortfalls are, maybe where my strengths are.”
Also, Dr. Asante Otchere reiterated his previous position that the NDC cannot have a succession plan while in opposition, stressing that “you have to put your strong foot in terms of the partnership before the weaker one.”
“The point ought to be made that you would need to win the elections and you can talk about a succession plan; you don’t do that in opposition,” he emphasised.
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He described as “misprioritization of the issues” any efforts at making a succession plan for the NDC while in opposition.
Dr. Asante Otchere further indicated that the NDC’s running mate can equally lead the party after the tenure of Mr. Mahama.
The NDC leader and Ghana’s first one-term president has only one more term if the party comes into office after the December 7 elections.
“Besides, if it is a matter of succession, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is in her early 70s; she has not gotten anywhere, so the point ought to be made that if it is in terms of succession, she equally stands a better chance at succeeding Mr. Mahama, should they win,” said Dr. Asante-Otchere, adding that it is inconsequential for now.
Prof. Naana Opoku Agyeman as running mate: You can't be thinking of a succession plan while in opposition. You need to win first. – Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, a political analyst.#GhanaTonight pic.twitter.com/7Rsae8oMbx
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) March 8, 2024
He emphasized that the NDC should focus on winning the elections as the party has the power to “market anyone that emerges as a successor to Mr. Mahama.
The NDC has become the first party amongst the two leading parties to select a female running mate for the second time. Should the party win the December 7 elections, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang will be the first female vice president in Ghana.