News Desk Report
The quest for victory by the National Democratic Congress in the 2020 general elections could be determined by the Greater Accra Region due to the ever growing support base of the party in recent times.
Attaining a 1.5 million votes in the Greater Accra region in the 2020 general elections would demand hard work from the party but this could be made possible and easy when a running mate is selected from the region to support the flag bearer and former president, John Mahama. Selecting a running mate with the requisite political and leadership skills from the Greater Accra region is expected to cushion the flag bearer of the NDC and increase his chances for victory in the coming elections.
Since 1992, Greater Accra has been the backbone of NDC aside the Volta region producing massive votes for the party. Greater Accra has a huge number of floating voters that normally adds up to the votes required to win elections and selecting a running mate from the region to support President Mahama’s hard work would surely promote the party’s course for total victory in 2020.
A research conducted indicates that in 2008, Greater Accra gave then- NDC candidate, John Atta Mills, 52.1% of votes cast against 46.0 % votes by his opponent, Akufo Addo. In the parliamentary elections, NDC won 18 seats in Greater Accra compared to the 9 won by NPP. In 2012, the NDC candidate John Mahama increased the margin to 52.3 percent in Greater Accra against 46.9 % attained by his main opponent, Akufo Addo. Besides, NDC won 20 parliamentary seats against 14 recorded by the NPP.
Greater Accra has been described by political experts as a swing region and one of the determining regions in elections. Based on this, activities within the region must be taken seriously, hence the need to appoint a running mate from the region who will keep the hope of the party faithful alive and work hard to bring more floating voters onboard.
This is a region that has been faithful to the National Democratic Congress; producing more than 50 percent of votes for the party in every election.
Political experts have described some statements that Greater Accra forms a minority region as misleading and mischievous. They are of the view that achieving regional balance with a result oriented candidate who is also clothed with integrity is what Ghanaians require.
There is, therefore, a need for former President Mahama to look for a party loyalist who is very charismatic and has no questionable character. Such a person should be able to unite the party supporters for the task ahead. The selection of a running mate from Greater Accra is expected to show fairness and equity in the minds of other regional members. This is based on the fact that party members in Greater Accra gave their total support to candidates from the other regions when they were appointed previously.
Greater Accra region is extraordinary because every tribe and ethnic group is found here, living in harmony with one another and working for the socio-economic growth of the country. It is the most densely populated region in Ghana comparing the population and geographical size. In line with this, appointing an individual who is appealing as running mate to President John Mahama will help the party win the 2020 general elections.
Greater Accra undoubtedly is the commercial, economic and political region of Ghana and having a running mate who is an indigene to support Candidate Mahama will shore up the party’s chances of winning election 2020.
Appointing an indigene from Greater Accra will bring unity among Ga-Damgbe’s and mobilize their support for the party’s victory in 2020. Experts also believe that any move to appoint an indigene as running mate for the NDC flag bearer will boost the chances of the party in the upcoming elections.
This strategy, no doubt would deliver a victory of maximum margin in the region and also increase the party’s parliamentary seats in 2020. In this regard, no political analyst or strategist can overlook Greater Accra if 2020 must be won.
In 1996 former president Rawlings appointed president John Evans Atta Mills as his running mate. Professor Mills was a clean, reliable and a man of integrity. In the year 2000, Professor Mills as flag bearer of NDC appointed Martin Alamisi Amidu as his running mate to promote regional and ethnic balance. He was an experienced politician and a party loyalist. In 2004, Muhammed Mumuni was appointed by Professor Mills to be his running mate, he was a Moslem from the north and an experienced politician .In 2008, Professor Mills appointed John Mahama as his running mate to promote regional balance. Mahama was charismatic, loyal to the party and appealing to people from the various political parties.
President Mahama in 2016 selected Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur to promote regional balance from a swing region.
