Few days after a publication by this paper detailing how 25 stalwarts of the ruling National Democratic Congress are lacing their boots to succeed president John Mahama after his second and final term in office, pressure is mounting on The aL-hAJJ to disclose the identity of the 2020 flag bearer hopefuls.
Understandably, most of the enquiries are coming from camps of some of the flag bearer hopefuls who are already subtly preparing the stage for their eventual announcement to contest the governing party’s primaries for the 2020 presidential polls.
While The aL-hAJJ will not be stampeded into releasing the full list in its possession, the paper nevertheless deemed it necessary to give its avid readers a peep into some of the surprises that would be in full glare when the NDC kick starts the process of electing someone to step into the shoes of President Mahama.
One other interesting issue that came up for discussion since our last publication was whether the governing party is likely to have a female as its flag bearer in 2020? The answer, based on our investigations, is an unambiguous yes.
The question received an answer in the affirmative because, so far, names of four qualified and capable ladies currently doing the rounds indicate it is possible for the NDC to produce the first woman president in 2021.
The aL-hAJJ in its last Tuesday edition reported that 25 bigwigs of the governing NDC, mainly ministers, deputy ministers, senior party officials, chief executives of state institutions, some appointees at the seat of government, are busily ‘preparing’ to stake claim to become the party’s 2020 flag bearer.
Unpardonably, it was the same NDC, then in opposition in 2007, that led crusade harshly condemning the 17 haggling NPP kingpins in their bid to succeed then outgoing President, John Agyekum Kufuor.
While some people are already fretting when this paper first revealed the number of people lined up to take over from President Mahama, the possibility of ladies joining the queue of flag bearer hopefuls cannot be discounted.
Already, names of accomplished ladies in the NDC tipped to succeed President Mahama are Minister of Foreign Affairs and MP for Awutu Senya West, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh; Minister of Education, Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang; Head of Presidential Delivery Unit and Senior Policy Adviser, Dr. Valerie Sawyer and Minister of Gender and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur among others.
Prof Jane Naana and Madam Hanna Tetteh’s names have long been on the lips of many NDC folks as potential flag bearers or running mates. Late last year, the two were rumored being considered as possible replacements of Vice President Amissah Arthur for this year’s election.
However, the President overlooked them and gave his veep another opportunity to partner him into the approaching elections. Prior to this, Supporters of Madam Hanna Tetteh have had running battles with admirers of Mr Amissah Arthur over the vice presidential slot.
Although the Education Minister and the Foreign Affairs Minister have not formally made their intentions known, reports are that friends and admirers of these qualified women have been knocking on their doors, encouraging them to consider running for the highest office on the ticket of the ruling party.
In the case of Madam Valerie Sawyer and Nana Oye Lithur, their achievements in the legal and social fields and unblemished contributions to the NDC are said to have attracted them to many admirers, who believe they can best fit into the shoes of President Mahama after his exit.
The contributions of Valerie Sawyer’s late father, Mr Harry Sawyer, to the NDC and Ghana at large is also said to be drawing her more support.
For the Gender and Social Protection Minister, aside her rich human rights record, her husband, Tony Lithur’s defense of President Mahama during the novel election petition coupled with his astute legal background is winning support for his wife.
