Picking a running mate from the Ashanti region at this time will be a mistake rather than a fortune. The show of power, division, and rejection by some key and traditionally core elephant families is grave.
Ashanti region, though remains the powerhouse of the NPP, the litmus test for the first time denying the region of a presidential representative will either show the organic and spontaneous support or otherwise.
Seriously, one of the key benefits of a stable political party is the nationalization of it and a solid representation of region, language, religion, and identifiable groups.
One of the boldest decisions the NDC has taken in recent political history after Jerry John Rawlings was to further consolidate its geographical representation by virtually taking Volta region’s influence off the party.
NDC owns Volta Region and Volta region owns NDC but denying the owners and the Florida of a presidential representation has appreciated some members from the other regions.
In fact, as an ardent covert of Rawlings (though I disagreed with his position on several issues) I totally, was not in agreement with NDC taking their running mate outside of the Region. I believe though that there are some fantastic and cooked-ready young men like Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, George Loh, and others who could have fit well for the position.
Surprisingly, the NDC has sustained the move of deviating from picking a running mate from their stronghold region, yet their numbers keep appreciating after the last two elections where the party suffered apathy not because of the running mate but felt were not treated well as “their” party in power.
For the past 24 years, the NDC has not had a presidential rep from the Volta region but it’s doing well as a party in opposition. Whoever thought the NDC could be this strong without the Rawlings factor and the Volta region?
To me, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has a taunting task of proving himself as worthy of a leader. In the same manner, his boss (Akufo-Addo) insisted against all odds when he (Bawumia) “wasn’t part of the anointed NPP’” that Bawumia became his running mate. He went through.
This time, it will be a mistake for Dr Bawumia to pick someone from the Ashanti Region, for want of a better expression, the NPP is so boisterous with a failed-Wontumi leadership who has failed to bring peace and cohesion into the party but rather employs divide and rule tactics.
For the first time in the history of the so-called Dankwa-Busia-Dombo tradition, a northerner believed to be from the Dombo rep has taken the reins of the NPP.
Let me say it, clearly, for the first time, the unanimous and thunderous support for Bawumia was unimaginable and not even Albert Adu Boahen or even J.A Kufuor got this privilege.
For me, the NPP wanted to soften the NDC’s John Mahama’s sharp teeth over the years, of which the NPP had become an “Akan Party” and not a national one, and will not allow a non-Akan to lead the party birthed his massive support.
This, no doubt, had affected the NPP in getting appreciable numbers from the non-Akan regions.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia must know that all eyes are watching and he has no option but to perform and deliver to show the essence of a regional and cultural mix in the governance structure of Ghana.
He must stop “the yesir! Master” and take his destiny into his own hands.
Names such as Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), Akosua Osei-Frema Opare, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and others have come out. These are great guys except Frema Opare.
She has nothing, to me as a leader who can help lead a nation, no charisma, no command of the people and she has just outlived the politics of Ghana. For me, she hasn’t proven to be a strong person in the hitherto strong office as Chief of Staff. But she is a nice person from afar though but that is not good enough for that serious position.
NAPO is a great guy, but this time of political mood is not for him. He will overcrowd Bawumia and may not be able to win floating voters for Bawumia. He has hit the best character for that office but certainly not as Ghanaian as we are. He speaks his mind like Adu Boahen, Akufo-Addo and Rawlings, though bold, but I think he doesn’t have the chemistry to win back the disgruntled for the NPP. Dr. Adutwum for me is no no! Not because he cannot perform. His understanding of issues is so deep and strict to a point that people think he lives -out -of -Ghana standard. If we want to be strictly disciplined, law-abiding and have no free political gifts, then he comes in handy. And Ghana’s politics is not like that.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, best of all of them, is a walking encyclopedia, a smart and intelligent politician but he rather must be a Chief of Staff and a special presidential advisor. If Bawumia picks him, Bawumia will feel inferior and that might breed confusion like Dr. Akaa and Rawlings. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to me would have been a fine flag bearer for the NPP.
Having said all this, Bawumia should ‘de-Ashantilize’ the NPP. The Ashanti Region will still support NPP but can make inroads into other no-go areas. Pick a running mate from the Bono Region, Eastern Region, or Western Region, but not the Volta Region, Central or Greater Accra Region. Picking a running mate from Accra or Central will not change the dynamics of the region. Greater Accra is a battlefield and anyone can win.
Bawumia must own NPP, must own voters and present himself better to Ghanaians and reorient them. He may be able to surprise JDM but it’s also not easy to ‘break the 8’ before the very eyes of John Mahama who continues to enjoy love from his party.
From Eric’s Diary: Why Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia must bide his time
