General Secretary of the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has revealed he will accept the role of Vice President if selected by John Dramani Mahama ahead of the upcoming general elections.
According to him, he will not turn his back on the offer since it will give him another opportunity to serve the citizenry and nation.
Speaking on an Accra-based radio station, Mr. Nketia said “I have heard lots of people talking about I being the running mate but it is not done by word of mouth. I have said time without number that if you give me the role of Veep, I will execute it. Whatever job that will allow me serve the good people of Ghana; I will do it”
The General Secretary added his party is not in a rush to reveal who its running mate adding they are abiding by the constitution which governs the NDC.
He further explained that since the constitution does not give Presidential Candidates timeframe to name it running mate, the party will unveil him at the appropriate time.
“Our NDC laws allows us to elect a Flagbearer within a year if we are in power but if we are to be in opposition, we are allowed to do say within 24 months. As for the running mate, Article 45 requires of the Flagbearer to table who he or she feels can support and help him secure victory” he explained.
He further revealed that political parties under the country’s laws are expected to name their running mate on the day of filing of nomination forms adding that the NDC is yet to do that.
Speaking on President Akufo-Addo’s covid-19 management, he said “He is doing his bit. We are doing it together but his short-falls are the promise of 88 hospitals. That is not covid
management”
He urged President Akufo-Addo to channel the resources into the yet to be completed structures started by Former President Mahama.
Mr. Nketia tasked the NPP to do away with the politics of Covid-19 and abandoned projects adding that saving of lives is more important than other things.
He lauded President Akufo-Addo for heeding to suggestions to the NDC as the country is battling the novel virus.
The General Secretary also advised the Akufo-Addo administration to concentrate on measures to deal with the virus and forget about the 88 hospitals.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia debunked rumours that the country’s former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah is one of the over one thousand seven hundred people (1,704) recovering from the novel coronavirus pandemic which has hit the country.
Background
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has come under heavy criticisms to name its running mate even in the wake of covid-19 in Ghana. The party have had lots of bashing from the ruling New Patriotic Party asking them to concentrate on what matters than politicising the covid-19 pandemic in the country. Although Former President Mahama told critics he knows who his running mate is, many are still wondering when the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) announce its running mate amidst the pandemic.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith