Concerned Members, a group within the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region have deplored the on-going campaign by some members of the party “to coerce” President John Dramani Mahama to choose an Akan as his running-mate for the 2012 presidential election. A statement issued by the spokesperson of the group, D.T Darko, said if Volta Region was given the running-mate slot, it will definitely offer the NDC a leverage that would beat its opponents to the game. He emphasized that the group did not have anything against Akans but said the party stand a better chance of winning the forthcoming if a Voltarian is picked. “Since the 2012 election is crucial, the NDC needs a running mate who is a Voltarian, very loyal, committed and courageous to stand up to all forms of intimidation in the 2012 electioneering campaign. The person must be someone who has been in the trenches with the rank and file of the party, committed to the ideals and cause of the NDC, down to earth and accepted by the rank and file,” the statement added. It continued: “We will support anyone you will choose as running-mate if he is a Voltarian, else, we will advise ourselves. The Fantes in particular had had their lion share in NDC and we think this is the time for the Ewes, who continued to play meritorious roles in making NDC a formidable force to reckon with,” the statement stated. The statement appealed to the President and the party’s hierarchy to look for a running mate especially from Volta Region who was resourceful and could win more votes for the party towards an overwhelming victory this year.