Former Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Samia Nkrumah, has explained why she turned down an offer from Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar, to be his running mate in the upcoming elections.

Cheddar, the leader of the New Force movement, had proposed the partnership, citing his admiration for the Nkrumaist tradition and his desire to continue the legacy of the first Ghanaian president.

In his political journey and ambitions, Cheddar took inspiration from the zeal and vision of Nkrumah and saw Samia as a fitting partner to help achieve this vision.

Despite the flattering nature of the offer, Samia Nkrumah disclosed that she declined the proposal.

Her decision was rooted in her political aspirations to return to Parliament, specifically eyeing the Jomoro constituency seat, which she once held but lost to Dorcas Affo-Toffey of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in a previous election.

Samia explained that she has invested significant time and resources into regaining the Jomoro seat and believes that the Nkrumaist tradition must be represented in Parliament.

"Yes, Cheddar did, but I told him that I had invested too much in Jomoro. I believe Nkrumah's tradition must be represented in Parliament in that decision-making body. Because as it is today, it is not with that clarity and conviction, so yes, I have invested too much, and I think I want to see that happen."

When asked if her decision to turn down Cheddar’s offer was due to doubts about his ideology and policy proposals, Samia clarified that she believes many Ghanaians like Cheddar have the right mindset now in and outside of politics to lead the country.

However, she stressed that politics requires a strategic approach, especially in times of crisis.

"I believe many Ghanaians have what it takes inside and outside of politics. Now we know what our priorities are, I think most of us do, so I believe many Ghanaians have the right mindset and know what should be done. But politics is a different thing. Vying for political power, I think you have to do it with a strategic aim."

With Ghana facing economic challenges, Samia believes that different forces must come together to address the pressing issues of the day, such as poverty, education, and housing.

For her, the best way to contribute to this effort is by securing a seat in Parliament and ensuring that the Nkrumaist tradition plays a role in shaping the future of Ghana.