A subject that receives a lot of media coverage and party anxiety during primary and political seasons, especially as general elections draws closer, is speculation about potential vice-presidential candidates or what we termed as running mates. In previous elections, the nominees of the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party have chosen their running mates, based on Religion and the ethnic factors, such that, southern presidential candidates run with their northern mates and vice versa, and issues such as political experience, ideological balance, descriptive representation, and visibility were relegated to the background.
President John Dramani Mahama and possibly Nana Addo will represent their political parties in the 2020 coming elections. Potential running mates being speculated for President Mahama includes the party’s General Secretary Asiedu Nketia, Eric Opoku, former chief of staff Julius Debrah, former vice-chancellor Prof. Joshua Alabi, former interior minister Prosper Bani, former speaker Hon. Doe Adzaho, Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, veteran economist Dr. Kwesi Botwey, Ambassador Victor Smith, University lecturer Prof. John Gatsi etc. most of these names are actually being propagated by their promoters and lobbyists making it difficult to ascertain the merits of these people and what they bring to the table. I shall discuss how the choice of a running mate for President Mahama would be crucial to winning election 2020 and my preference of who partners the Presidential candidate
Experience from past elections shows several qualities of potential vice-presidential candidates that are always assessed and weighed. Regional/religious balance and knowledge of the economy are the most considered in recent times. The often talked about “home region advantage” is the phenomenon where a chosen candidate performs better in his/her region. But this has in the past failed us politically. Examples can be made of the late President JEA Mills abysmal performance in the central region in the election 2000 and the late Vice President Amissah Arthurs poor performance also, in the central region in the 2016 elections, readily comes to mind. These have defied any theory or studies that believe that a candidate can provide a regional appeal or even a home region advantage that could translate into votes. These are verifiable and factual examples of the recent past but do not suggest that the theory or studies of home region advantage of a candidate are a fallacy.
Another consideration in choosing a running mate in recent times is compatibility. A presidential candidate may choose a running mate he can confidently work with. The 1992 debacle between president Rawlings and Vice president Kow Nkensen Arkaah readily comes as a guide in the choice of picking a running mate. NDC’s constitution article 45 grants the power to the presidential candidate to choose a running mate in consultation with the national executive committee and the council of elders. This will grant the presidential candidate the right to choose a running mate who is compatible, reliable, level headed, etc. he/she can comfortably work with. The team should be able to build rapport and be team players to be able to deliver better governance, anything other than this could be dangerous for the country and by extension the chances of the political party in winning the next election.
The last and important other consideration should be how the choice of the running mate could bring an identity and image to influence the chances of the NDC in winning election 2020 based on the political dynamics. This is often considered when the party intend to rebrand and mobilize a specific electoral class. The running mate on the ticket may boost the turnout and rate of support of the similarly identifiable group into the election.
Since the start of the political season, there have been rumours and speculations of President Mahama choosing from the potential names as his running mate, with General secretary Asiedu Nketia becoming the latest perceived favourite in town, in his latest television interview he indicated his acceptance and readiness if selected for the position. Dr. Kwesi Botwey, on the other hand, had reported to the party to investigate a fake report purporting his selection by Mahama as his running mate. A story later denied by president Mahama
With all the possible names being propagated as candidates for the running mate position, only one meets my criteria as the best to partner president Mahama going into the election 2020. I admit that all the names are of a good standard and highly qualified to occupy the high office of the vice president, the dynamics of the time do not go in the favour of all these beautiful and competent names except the University lecturer, Prof. John Gatsi. As a local political person, I may be incompetent to speak on qualifications, capabilities and competences of these great senior party members, some of whom continue to work excellently for the party at the highest levels, but I have the common sense to make informed decisions and post this as an option to our party hierarchy.
Our party lost power on the back of the branding of the NDC government as INCOMPETENT and CORRUPT. These, however, are found to be culpable falsehoods just two years into the governance of the NPP and Nana Akufo Addo, where clear evidence of INCOMPETENCE and CORRUPTION are being glaringly perpetuated daily, much to the chagrin of the Ghanaian citizens. Prompting a corruption crusader, Manassey Azuri Awuni to describe President Mahama as a saint. This means our party could easily win the next election with good planning and appropriate positioning.
I propose that President John Dramani Mahama should ultimately choose the University lecturer Professor John Gatsi as his running mate for the upcoming election. I believe ideological concerns, new branding technics, appeal to the middle and the intellectual class and his in-depth understanding of economics will be very relevant in this decision. John Gatsi could help heal and neutralize the Bawumia factor who have proven to be very inept and bungling as the vice president who won a lot of sympathy from Ghanaians during the last election due to his poetic theory recitals which turned out to be unpractical and hearsays. The National Democratic Congress will need the goodwill of the middle class and the intellectual community to be able to win the 2020 elections. A relatively moderate candidate in the person of John Gatsi could be a booster and new energy in contrast to our season traditional politicians who had been part of the old system. John should be the most likely choice because he is experienced and learned in Ghanaian economy, is well-known in the intellectual cycle and could help win the crucial middle and the intellectual class as well as the undecided who are tired of our generation of politicians, and perhaps most importantly, help unite the Party as a new kid with no alliances or allegiance.
In political studies and in practice, there are many attributes to consider when picking a running mate as the nominee of a major party as the NDC. This cycle, although unconventional by some standards, is no different in this regard. Regional appeal, political experience, ideology, and descriptive representation are all especially important traits that are being considered of potential vice-presidential picks. John, however, brings fresh energy, intellectuality, stainless and untainted name, gentleness, scandal-free and new hope to the party and will be of immense benefit in winning the election 2020.
2020 is possible and available for grabs. EYE ZU, EYE ZA. NDC FOREVER REMAINS THE ONLY HOPE FOR GHANA.
The writer is a ward coordinator in the North Tongu constituency in the Volta region of Ghana
KENNEDY JOHN GOZEY
gozeykenn@yahoo.co.uk
0243214922