2020: Mahama needs strong, convincing message to win – Jinapor

Dr Ahmed Jinapor, a lecturer at the University of Education Winneba, has said former president John Dramani Mahama will need to present strong and convincing messages to Ghanaians in his bid to be elected as president again in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.

According to him, Mr Mahama’s political career will be over if he does not provide stronger message to Ghanaians to secure him victory in the polls.

Mr Mahama, through Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, former Ambassador to the United States, presented his official letter of intent to run for the flag bearer slot, to the party’s Adabraka headquarters on Thursday, 23 August 2018.

In a video explaining his decision to stage a comeback, Mr Mahama said: “In coming to this firm decision, I have pondered deeply and soberly on the socio-economic and political landscape of our country today vis-à-vis the clear path we have started to build, aimed at positioning Ghana as a true middle-income country by modernising our dilapidated social and economic infrastructure and gradually inculcating in the Ghanaian, a sense of patriotism, self-belief and commitment to a one-Ghana agendum.

“I have taken into consideration, the groundswell of support, the never-ending calls and encouragement from a large section of our party elders, members of our party, supporters and Ghanaians, from diverse backgrounds.

“I have prayed diligently about the task ahead and I believe I owe a duty to God, and my country, to take our great party back into government to right the wrongs of the past and to put an end to the cries of the people under the current dispensation.”

He added: “The 2020 election presents our party, the NDC with a great opportunity to offer yet again, visionary leadership driven by a commitment to create opportunities for all our people, not just a few.

“Our collective victory in 2020 will end the increasing hardships, expand the base of our economy, create more sustainable jobs, ensure shared prosperity for all and pursue good governance including peace, unity and security.

“As a servant-leader, I have listened with deep respect to the elders of our party, to members of our party, and Ghanaians from all walks of life, and I am honoured to avail myself of truthful, transparent, selfless, unifying and dedicated service to the NDC and above all, to the good people of Ghana.”



Speaking on TV3’s New Day programme on Saturday August 25, Dr Jinapor said : ““I don’t think 2020 is going to be a runover by any of the two major political parties. I know Mahama will say that he is going to defeat Nana Addo , and Nana Addo is also going to say that he is going to defeat his old wife who is Mr Mahama. The election is going to be a competitive election but the challenge is with the one who is making the proposals that is the opposition leader – Mr Mahama.

“That is why I want to see a tenacity of purpose, discipline and message from him. What is he bringing that he hasn’t done before? He has been vice president, he has been acting president and he has been president so he needs to make a strong and convincing case before Ghanaians are going to take him seriously.

“He stands a better chance of being competitive but if he does not do his work well his political career is going to be over.”