There is currently turmoil within the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) as to whether former president John Dramani Mahama is the best bet for the party in 2020 or otherwise.
Whereas persons like Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Joseph Yamin, Kofi Adams, Ras Mubarak, Dr Edward Omane Boamah and others in that category want a return of the former president in 2020, another group led by Yaw Boateng Gyan, Dr Kwabena Adjei, Joseph Naabu, Nii Amasah Namoale and some unknown party bigwigs behind the scenes want him to take a long rest.
Names like Former Ministers of Communications, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; Employment and Labor Relations, Haruna Iddrisu; Roads and Highways; Inusah Fuseini; Education, Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang; Foreign Affairs, Hannah Serwah Tetteh; Trade and Industry; Dr Ekow Spio Gabrah; Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, former Minister of State and Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovations, are all reported interested in leading the NDC into the 2020 election.
Others reported to be interested in leading the party after Mr Mahama’s reign include former Ministers of Youth and Sports, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuije; Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur; former Brong Ahafo Minister, Eric Opoku; former Central Regional Minister; Kwaku Rickett Hagan; former Minister of State at the presidency, Rashid Pelpuo; and former majority leader and now 2nd deputy Speaker of Parliament; Alban Kingsford Sumane Bagbin.
The likes of immediate past Senior Policy Adviser and Head of Presidential Delivery Unit, Dr Valerie Sawyer; former MP for La Dadekotopon, Nii Amasah Namoale; former Chief Executives of NHIA, Sylvester Mensah; COCOBOD’s Dr Stephen Opuni; Eco Medical Village’s, Dzifa Aku Ativor; former KMA boss, Kojo Bonsu; 1st vice Chairman of NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo; former Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia; MP for Klottey Korle; Dr Zanetor Rawlings; Anlo MP; Clement Kofi Humado and former vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur were also reported to be interested in the post.
The situation has however become murkier following the outburst of a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Yunyoo constituency in the Northern region, Joseph Naabu who said the president is not the ultimate to lead the party in 2020.
According to him, the former President surrounded himself with young people who had little political experience.
He cited former Communications Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah to stress the “inexperienced” people who were appointed into the previous government.
A colleague former MP for La Dadekotopon Nii Amassah Namoale has also called on former President John Dramani Mahama to consider rescinding his decision to contest the 2020 polls since he would not win the party’s primaries saying ““I will beat anyone who would contest me including John Mahama…,” he said on Peace FM’
Meanwhile, a Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana Dr Owusu Mensah has admonished the former president not stage a comeback as he will be subjected to a bigger disgrace by members of his own party.
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