In spite of calls from various quarters that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should be given the peace of mind to remain focused as regards his selection of a running mate, indications are that the pressure on him rather seems to be mounting by the day. Latest developments strongly suggest that the permutation to pick the most probable in-coming vice president of Ghana is getting more and more complex as it keeps swinging like a pendulum with each passing day. While traditional heads are reportedly pulling strings from their palaces in order to have their subjects named, religious leaders are also not left out of the underground scheming. But the appearance of fresh faces of mostly women on the already tall list of names flying in the media seems to be compelling political observers to agree that the on-going ballgame is not an entirely Muslim/Northern affair. More women are seriously lobbying to get the attention of the NPP flag-bearer for the number two slot. The latest kids on the block are Mrs. Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, Member of the Council of State, and Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, MP for Weija Constituency and Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. This adds up to five the number of women struggling to partner Nana since Mrs. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Tourism and Diasporan Relations Minister, and Mrs. Gladys Asmah, Fisheries Minister and MP for Takoradi Constituency have long been named. Speaking on Joy FM yesterday, Mrs. Afenyi-Dadzie said some members of the ruling party have already contacted her on the possibility of partnering Nana Akufo-Addo. Describing herself as a woman of destiny, the former Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President expressed her readiness to partner any presidential candidate for the December elections. “I think that God has prepared me enough and if the timing is now, I will confidently go because He will give me the wisdom and empower me. He has given me the favour, the integrity and the courage to stand up to the truth,” she said. According to her, she is adequately prepared for the position of Vice President, adding that she represents the face of Ghana wherever she goes. Asked if she has started ‘moves’ to catch the eyes of any presidential aspirant, she said, “If it is God’s will, then He Himself will maneuver”. Apart from Gifty, DAILY GUIDE is reliably informed that a lot of people, mostly from the Ga-Dangme sector of the country, are pulling strings in order to get Ms. Ayorkor Botchway nominated. Using the Ga factor as a possible avenue to increase votes for the NPP, they contend that she possesses the appeal and charisma needed to attract floating voters. Ms. Botchway is reputed to have won the highest number of votes in any single constituency in Ghana’s political history, and some argue it was not for nothing. The flagbearer is said to be ignoring the several pressures being put on him from some chiefs and religious leaders, and insisting on picking Hajia Alima. Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku recently hinted that the issue of who will partner Nana Addo will be over in a matter of one week. Even though it is not yet clear who he will pick the slot, Nana had himself stated that he was not coming to the south of the country for his running mate, indicating that all the jostling going on among southerners and non-Muslims may be an exercise in futility. Source: Daily Guide