By Dominic Jale
Accra - Reports that Dr. Obed Asamoah, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, is to partner Vice-President Atta Mills for the NDC presidential ticket for the 2000 election are receiving a backlash from the North.A group of Northern women political activists in the NDC have voiced their resentment at Dr. Asamoah's place on the ticket saying it is an insult to the people of the three Northern regions.
"We have been slaves to the NDC. Now we're wiser" Hajia Habiba Bolga said after meeting of the 20 women in Bolgatanga at the weekend, after reports that the Attorney-General had secured the nomination.
Last week, the Ghanaian Chronicle quoting informed sources within the corridors of power, reported that Dr. Asamoah had edged out Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, President of the 31st December Women's Movement, who had been having an eye on the presidency and had been canvassing support for it..According to the sources, "Dr. Asamoah-for-Vice-President" move was spearheaded by Madam Faustina Nelson, Chairperson of the Verandah Boys and Girls Club, and those who believe that the Volta Region, ought not to be marginalised in decision making at the top.
Hajia Bolga, who described the group as "Kan Kpe" told the Chronicle that the Mills-Obed ticket would divide the NDC vote in the North.
Reached for comment, NDC Press Secretary Vincent Assiseh declaimed knowledge of the existence of the group. "Even though the group is not known, it shows the essence of democracy in the NDC as a party because everybody in the party has the right to air his or her view."
Assiseh said as far as he was aware, it was up to whoever leads the party as a presidential candidate to choose his running mate.
Hajia Habiba said Northerners had not been given a fair deal under President Rawlings.In 1992, President Rawlings chose Mr. Kow Nkensen Arkaah, a Southerner, as running mate. Four years later, Prof Atta-Mills was surprisingly picked in preference for Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs, to the chagrin of the Northerners, who had expected the slot would theirs.
Hajia Habiba said a cabal in the NDC had been knocking the heads of Northerners just before elections and used it as a pretext to deny them the nomination. According to her, they deliberately sponsor moves by a number of Northerners to lobby for the No.2 slot and later turn round to say that because they are bickering among themselves there was no unity, and if one of them was chosen the party in the North would be divided. "We're fed up with this trickery and contempt for Northerners.
"We've been made to believe that the NPP is a tribal party. Now we know that the NDC is also tribal."
She accused Dr. Asamoah of arrogance, claiming he had made derogatory remarks to the effect that the Northern vote was insignificant for them to want to demand what they do not deserve.Going into history, Hajia Habiba said the Northern Regions voted massively for Dr. Limann and his People's National Party (PNP) after the late Alhaji Yakubu Tali, Tolon Na, was denied the presidential candidacy of the Popular Front Party (PFP) in favour of Mr. Victor Owusu.
Earlier in the week, Hajia Swe and Co of Tamale, writing in the Free Press on behalf of "concerned members of the Northern women's wing of the NDC" insisted that the Veep slot be allotted to a Northerner.
"This is to prove that we have not just been reduced to stooges of the "Dzelukope mafia" and their allied stomach politicians," she added.
