Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has described as foolish the lobbying of running mates based on tribalism within the two leading political parties in Ghana.
According to the Ace Journalist, no presidential candidate has been treated that way since 1992.
He said the lobbying of running mates within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the largest opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC) can not solve the problems in the country.
Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’ and monitored by Elvisanokyenews.com, Kwesi Pratt stated that choosing a running mate should be based on capacity and competence, not tribalism.
While interesting kingpins in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are reportedly lobbying to become Bawumia’s running mate, reports say the Greater Accra supporters have called on their presidential candidate to choose Ga as running mate.
Some members of the NDC are also calling on their presidential candidate to choose a running mate from the Central Region.
But Kwesi Pratt believes the Presidential Candidates should be free to choose their choice of running mate who can help them to manage the economy.
“Where from such tribalism? Whether the person is a Ga or Frafra what difference does it make? As we are speaking now, the second tranche of the IMF bailout has been postponed to 11th January, our balance of payments is not good, inflation rate is unstable. So can the person reduce the inflation rate because he or she is Ga?, or will the deplorable roads in the Ashanti Region be constructed because the person is coming from Accra? Let’s be serious men!!! Kwame, let’s be serious!!!” Kwesi Pratt stated.
Adding that anybody can be a vice president irrespective of where the person is coming from but the main criteria is the person competency and capability.
“Somebody from Ga, Volta, Fante can be a vice president but the main criteria should not be where the person is coming from but the capacity to think. What they are doing will not help Bawumia…why are you doing this to this man; no presidential candidate since 1992 has been treated this way. It’s as if Bawumia can’t make decisions of his own. Now we’ve got to the level of dictation; stop that it is not good.” He added.
” Kwame, do you know, somehow unfortunate, it is not only NPP that is experiencing this, the same issue is happening to the NDC, others are saying we want somebody from the Central Region but others say no the person should come from the Ashanti, this foolishness has gripped all the parties and it must stop” Kwesi Pratt fumed.
The flagbearer of the ruling NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama are yet to choose their running mates ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
