DFP to name running mate in mid-September

Accra, Aug. 29, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi, the flag bearer of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), will name his running mate in mid-September.

He told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday that the initial search and consultation were almost complete and the name of the preferred personality would be presented to the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) for the final phase of DFP's process of naming a running mate.

Mr Ansah-Antwi said the running mate, apart from fulfilling the 1992 Constitutional requirement for a President, should possess qualities that would complement any weakness in the flag bearer. "Tribal (ethnic) or religious inclinations would not be the determining factors. I am considering a competent, compatible, winnable and marketable candidate to help the DFP secure the needed votes across the country," the DFP flag bearer stated.

He admitted that three regions - the Brong Ahafo, Volta and Greater Accra -had been politically marginalized in Election 2008 politicking but his search would not be limited to the three regions alone. The DFP flag bearer said the historical background of the party and its ancestral political antecedent would guide him to choose a possible vice president for Ghana.

Mr Ansah-Antwi said the party would also launch its manifesto, which was now in print, in September and complete the first phase of the regional tour next month.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer, Prof John Evans Atta Mills, is from the Central Region whilst his running mate Mr John Dramani Mahama is from Northern Region; Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama, People's National Convention flag bearer is from Northern Region but he is yet to choose a running mate.

The Convention People's Party's (CPP) flag bearer, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom from the Central Region is also yet to name a running mate while Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer is from the Eastern Region whilst his running mate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is from the Northern Region.

Mr. Daniel Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) and Mr T. N. Ward Brew from the Central Region are both yet to name their running mates, while Mr Ansah-Antwi is from the Ashanti Region. The running mates of the NDC and NPP as well as the PNC flag bearer are from the Northern, Upper West and East regions, while Prof Mills, Dr Nduom, Mr Lartey, Mr Ward-Brew, Nana Akufo-Addo and Mr Ansah-Antwi are from the southern block.

The gender issue has not been settled by any of the parties for now.