By The Socialist Intelligential

As promised in our last publication titled WHO PARTNERS MAHAMA IN 2020, The Socialist Intelligential in this paper presents another undiluted and unbiased discussion of the ideal NDC vice Presidential Candidate (since we earlier presented an analysis on how the NDC will benefit from having an Ashanti as a Running Mate).

This time, our focus is on the personality traits and qualities required of that proposed Ashanti indigene whose selection as the NDC Running Mate for 2020 will boost confidence, secure a national appeal for the NDC Presidential ticket and result in a historic victory for the party.

It goes without saying that the Running Mate which the NDC needs in 2020, must be someone who will attract the votes that John Mahama on his own accord could not attract in 2016 and cannot attract in 2020.

Consequently, the Vice Presidential Candidate must be someone who will be a perfect match on the ticket, such that voters, who ordinarily would not have voted for John Mahama or the NDC, will change their minds and vote for the 2020 ticket, because they wish to see the NDC Running Mate steering the economy as Vice President. Non-NDC party members must be given the need to go to the polling stations and vote for the NDC because the NDC Running Mate is a symbol of hope, that with him as the Vice President and Chairman of the Economic Management Team, there will be a new era of great opportunities for Ghanaians. 

The Socialists Intelligential sees no way the NDC can beat the NPP in 2020 should the choice of a Running Mate be someone who will end up walking in the shadows of the former President and exciting the very electoral base reached by the Presidential Candidate himself.

With the Nana Akufo Addo government becoming unpopular because of their many ill-thought-through decisions and the October disappointments based on the 9% Communication Service Tax slapped on the population, increases in transportation fares and a hike in electricity and water tariffs; the NDC is in an advantageous position to offer hope of respite to Ghanaians, and proceed to win 2020. This hope must be espoused by the quality of men that the NDC will present to voters in 2020 as its galaxy of stars. In this vein, the second person to spearhead the NDC 2020 team and arouse hope in the Ghanaian electorates must have some qualities that shall reflect in the ballot boxes:

1. In addition to being an Ashanti, He should be known nationwide for creating jobs.   

REASON: The teeming unemployed Ghanaian youth are increasingly getting impatient and are seeking for the leadership that will create job opportunities. The NDC 2020 campaign should, therefore, have job creation as its topmost priority. To have the upper hand in assuring the youth that the new NDC government will create jobs, the messenger of NDC’s job creation message must be someone with national recognition as an employer of many, and someone who knows how to create jobs. With that background, the Running Mate will pull the votes of the teeming unemployed youth to the benefit of the NDC.

2. That Ashanti indigene should possess an impeccable public service track record and revered levels of achievements in the private sector.

REASON: As a confidence-boosting strategy, a Running Mate with much experience working for the government of Ghana will be a good asset which will yield integrity. This must, however, be coupled with years of successful growth in the private sector, thereby defining him as a safe pair of hands. 

3. That Ashanti must be an active member of the business community and should command respect among the middle class of the population.

REASON: The ever-growing middle class and corporate Ghana, expects to have a conducive business environment that promotes growth. It is therefore incumbent on President John Mahama to choose someone who is well known in corporate Ghana and that will attract the business community to the 2020 ticket. An outpouring of support from corporate people will make NDC’s victory in 2020 very likely.

4. That Ashanti man should be one that has fund raising abilities and can contribute financially to the NDC 2020 campaign.

REASON: Executing a successful Presidential campaign in Ghana has become a capital intensive project. As a result, the Vice Presidential Candidate must be someone who is resourceful and as well is able to raise funds to oil the 2020 campaign machinery.

5. Besides being an Ashanti, the NDC Running Mate must also be a brain hub for the party.

REASON: In 2020, NDC needs to present smart policies, that when implemented will help churn out an avalanche of job opportunities and basic infrastructural facilities for the people of Ghana. As a result, the Vice Presidential Candidate must be able to build a team of researchers, economists and financial analysts that will help him become the fulcrum around whom the 2020 policy debate will revolve.   

6. Finally, that Ashanti should be someone that President Rawlings and all the other factions within the NDC will respect and be comfortable with.

REASON: It is an open secret that the founding father of the NDC needs to be managed ahead of the 2020 elections, in order to secure a focused campaign that will seek to undo the NPP. Former President Mahama must, therefore, consider a choice that will not elicit provocation and negative commentary from the ‘Ridge Roundabout’. The Vice Presidential Candidate must ideally be in the good books of Mr. Rawlings and must be able to manage him, just as he must cut across the other factions and caucuses within the party. 

For the NDC to win 2020, the John Mahama electoral effect needs to be strategically bolstered with all the above attributes found in a single individual who must put all his arsenals into that election as a “Do or Die”. All, not some, of the qualities mentioned above, are critical assets needed by the NDC campaigners who are busily engaged in persuading voters. We expect the Vice Presidential Candidate to be someone who will fully apply himself to the campaign, without having second guesses and a possible plan to build a future political career with the opportunity given.   

The NDC cannot afford to fail to capitalize on the unimpressive performance of the Akufo Addo-led NPP regime and thereby beat them at the polls in 2020. To achieve that, President Mahama must help himself and the party’s communicators, activists, volunteers and campaigners by partnering with someone with rich assets and abilities, as explained above. There cannot be a better arsenal to give these NDC diehards than announce a Running Mate who fits the description tabled in this publication.

In the next episode, our contribution to the Running Mate debate will capture our answers to the feedback received from the previous publication and what will be received on this particular paper as well. Flowing from that, we will help suggest the name of that Ashanti royal who has all such assets, is of great quality and who best fills the gap.

Issued By: Comrade Ato Kwamina Bondzie (Director of Research – Socialist Intelligential) socialistintelligentialgh@gmail.com