Some prominent leaders of the Ga-Dangbe State have advised The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to consider appointing indigenes from the Ga -Dangbe State as their running mates ahead of the 2024 General elections.
The leaders of the Ga-Dangme state expressed worry over the refusal of the two leading political parties to consider Ga-Dangbe as their running mates.
Speaking in an interview with a section of journalists in Accra yesterday, Nii Ahele Nuimo III, Paramount Chief of the Abola Traditional Area said “Ga-Dangbes have been ignored and disregarded for years when it comes to the appointment for high level political leaders. We however believe that this is the time for a Ga-Dangbe to hold an office as high as Vice President of Ghana”.
He disclosed that the Ga -Dangbe State boasts of some high profile and prominent people who have the technical skills and know how to promote the development of the country.
The leaders of the Ga-Dangbe State made this statement in reaction to a recent a recent interview by Former Speaker Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye, who supported that idea that NPP flagbearer should come from the Ashanti region and ignore the other regions .Nii Nunoo III described the statement by the former speaker of parliament as uncalled for and unprofessional since it discriminates against other tribes.
For his part, Asafoatse Kojo Nseni Mankatta, Ga Asafoatse Onukpa, said “those who advance this argument say nominating a vice presidential candidate from the Ashanti region will consolidate the NPP party’s dominance in its stronghold and enhance its flag bearer’s chances of winning the 2024 Elections but I see these assertion as inaccurate”.
He noted that the outcome of election results from the Greater Accra Region determines the winner in most elections, hence the need for the both the NPP and the NDC to select a Ga-Dangbe as their running mates for the 2024 general elections.
“I totally disagree with all those claiming that both the NPP and the NDC should pick their running mates from the Ashanti Region,” the Traditional Leader stated.
For him, aside the North East, where the flagbearer hails from, the running mate should come from the Greater Accra Region as a Ga-Dangbe provided he has what it takes to assist the leader win the polls.
“I don’t agree that the running mate must come from the Ashanti Region. We, as leaders of the Ga-Dangbe State, are calling on both the NDC and the NPP to pick a Ga -Dangbe as their respective running mates.
The Highest Priest of the Ga State, Nuumo Akwaa Mensah III, also stated that the Greater Accra Region contributed immensely towards the development of the country and, therefore, deserved to be rewarded with a Vice Presidential slot.
He declared their readiness to boycott the 2024 general elections if a Ga -Dangbe was not selected by both the NDC and the NPP.