Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, the presidential candidate of the Convention People's Party (CPP), yesterday dropped four names on a shortlist of persons, one of whom would partner him in the December presidential polls. They are Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, a former CPP presidential aspirant, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, a former Governor of the Bank of Ghana; Dr Abu Sakara Foster, the Executive Director of Rural and Agriculture Development Associates, and Alhaji Suley Garibah, a Tamale-based businessman. Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Dr Nduom disclosed that he would settle on one of the four by September 5, 2008, in readiness for the launch of the party's campaign on September 21, 2008, the birthday of the 'party's founder, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Currently, Dr Nduom said, some Elders of the party had been tasked to engage the four in discussions, after which he and the Central Committee of the party would select the most suitable. According to Dr Nduom, he was looking for a partner who in his own right was a presidential material and could be President of the Republic of Ghana anytime. "The running mate must be able to get along well with the flag-bearer; he should also be hardworking and be able to execute tasks with a sense of urgency," he stated. He said that person must also be able to draw votes to complement the party, and the flag bearer's efforts at winning the December elections. Sources close to the party said Prof. Akosa made good impression at the last CPP congress and had a constituency within the party. They said that people within and outside the party were attracted to him and with his excellent qualifications, he could not be ignored in the choice of a running mate for Dr Nduom. Dr Duffuor is also highly favoured as Chairman of the Finance Committee of the party. Dr Duffuor, who has performed other important national duties, has solid credentials that make him a candidate to beat when the issue of a running mate is considered. Dr Abu Sakara, who is the 1st National Vice Chairman of the party, is very active in the on going Nduom campaign and appears to appeal to a broad section of the party. He is also a Gonja and is directly related to the overlord of Gonja. According to the sources, he is definitely a credible candidate. Dr Gariba is also known very well by the people. His difficulty is that he is more of the People's National Convention (PNC) stock. All the same he has excellent credentials and comes from the north and has invested a lot of resources in the area. He runs a policy institute and has a lot of relations from the north. The Daily Graphic was told that other persons were in the reckoning for the running mate slot but had insisted their names were not disclosed now until the party was sure to get them the slot. Although Prof. Akosa and Dr Sakara were personalities who seemed to be the favourites within the party, the sources pointed out that an outsider, Dr Gariba who could be considered. They pointed out that it would be difficult to say anything beyond- this when the background checks had not been made and the necessary consultations concluded. Source: Daily Graphic