As the flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) gears up towards finding a running mate, a leading member of the party has offered a piece of advice: “Disregard age and gender considerations. The Ashanti Regional chairman of the Council of Elders of the NPP, Mr Appiah Menka says a selection of a running mate based on such factors may not do the trick for the party. Mr Menka who is also a founding member of the NPP says Nana Addo must find someone who can stand in for him as president and is compatible with. He spoke to Citi News. He however considers it imperative for the flag-bearer to consider regional and religious balance in the selection process. “Gender and age are completely immaterial; whatever age, whatever gender is completely immaterial,” he added. Responding to speculations that Nana Addo has preference for Hajia Alima Mahama among the shortlisted individuals for the running mate slot, Mr Menka said it was all “pure and simple press speculations.” “Nana Addo has not chosen or mentioned anybody as his running mate. I can bet anybody,” he stated. He said the flag-bearer is consulting with the elders of the party and would soon come out with his choice. Mr Menka also played down speculations that Nana Addo would badge under pressures from the party to choose Works and Housing Minister Alhaji Boniface Abubakar. Although he would not mention who the “chosen one” was, Mr Menka gave some hints that the running mate hails from northern Ghana. The selection of a running mate for Nana Addo has been bedevilled with oodles of problems as party officials grope for the “most appropriate” person.