The presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, has stated that he is ever ready to work with Hajia Alima Mahama as his running mate. Addressing hundreds of women who were demonstrating at his East Legon residence in Accra to canvass support for Hajia Mahama, the flag-bearer noted, she (Alima) has been his acquaintance for sometime now and would be easy to work with her. “Hajia Alima Mahama is not a stranger to me, I have worked with her before and I know her capabilities,” Nana Akufo-Addo told the teeming crowd about his interest to have her as the partner. However, he told the women, since the decision to select a running mate is not his sole prerogative; he is geared up to go with the collective decision of the party. He promised to take their concerns to the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party slated for this Wednesday for consideration. At the proposed NEC meeting, the NPP is expected to take a crucial decision on its running mate saga for the 2008 general elections. Three names, including Hajia Alima Mahama who is the Women and Children’s Affairs Minister, have been tabled as a possible vice presidential candidate to partner the flag-bearer. Some of the women, who talked to Joy News, emphasized their preference for a woman candidate, especially Hajia Alima Mahama. Madam Efua Kyeremeh, a leading member of the NPP Women’s Wing said, even though they are rooting for Hajia Alima, they will not turn their back on the party, if it decides otherwise. According to Mustapha Hamid, the Spokesperson for Nana Akufo-Addo, the NPP presidential candidate “would have been excited to have Hajia Alima” as his running mate. Story by Isaac Essel