In anticipation of the 2024 National Democratic Congress (NDC) election, the imminent announcement of a running mate has drawn significant attention within the party ranks.
Expectedly, the revelation will follow the conclusion of the NDC flagbearer’s ongoing Building Ghana Tour.
Speculation abounds within the party regarding the identity of the running mate, with focus narrowed to three regions: Central, Eastern, and Ashanti. Representing these regions are Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman, Julius Debrah, and Kwame Awuah-Darko, respectively.
Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, having been the running mate in the 2020 general election, faces criticism for her perceived lack of contribution and for losing support in her home region of Central.
Calls from respected NDC figures like Obed Asamoah for a change in the running mate reflect internal tensions within the party.
On the other hand, supporters of Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang defend her, expressing confidence in her ability to learn from past mistakes.
Julius Debrah, a former chief of staff during the John Mahama administration, emerges as another potential candidate. Despite public denial, he enjoys support from within the party for his competence and close ties to John Mahama.
Kwame Awuah-Darko, a businessman and banker from the Ashanti Region, garners attention for the second time as a potential running mate. His family’s history of supporting the NDC, coupled with his professional achievements, positions him as a strong contender.
The strategic implications of each candidate’s regional background are also under scrutiny. With the NPP likely to choose a running mate from the Ashanti Region, the NDC’s selection from the same region, with ties to the Eastern Region, aims to balance out the political landscape.
However, debates within the NDC suggest that repeating Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang as the running mate may not yield desired political benefits, especially in the Central Region.
Some advocate for a running mate from the Eastern Region, citing its diverse ethnic makeup and the absence of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, a prominent figure from the region, on the ballot.
Meanwhile, others argue for a candidate from the Ashanti Region to challenge the NPP’s stronghold, signaling a strategic shift in the party’s approach to power dynamics.
