NDC running mate’s nomination cannot make up for Mahama’s inadequacies – Ursula Owusu
Although the Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, has welcomed the idea of the largest opposition choosing a woman as a running mate, she sees no light at the end tunnel for the National Democratic Congress ahead of December 7.
On Joy FM’s Newsfile on Saturday, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) said the selection of the former Minister of Education would not change the NDC’s gloomy future in politics.
On a show in which she carried a two-edge sword—praising the selection of the university don and at the same time needling the NDC, she said the selection of Prof Naana Opoku Agyemang as John Dramani Mahama’s vice-presidential candidate could not make up for the inadequacies of Mahama.
“The NDC is marketing her as if she’s going to make a difference to their candidacy, she’s not on the ballot.
“Let’s not lose sight of that fact. She cannot make up for the inadequacies of her flagbearer who is the one going to the contest.
According to the Communications Minister, the NDC’s excitement about Ghana’s first female Vice-Chancellor as the party’s running mate confirmed that the NDC hierarchy had no hope in themselves.
“And all the excitement, it’s as if the NDC themselves have given up on the strength of their flagbearer, and are hoping that the professor would be the one that would help them to win, it’s not going to be as easy, as they see it.
“It’s as if her appointment would drastically change their candidature is not supported by evidence,” she stressed.
She further argued that the party in itself had not been sincere about their stance on elevating women in their party.
She made reference to the Former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings candidature back in 2012.
“If indeed they wanted to make a difference, they should have given Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings an opportunity and the nod then,” she argued.
In 2011, the NDC went to primaries to choose between the then sitting President, Prof J.E.A Mills and former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
Prof Mills garnered at least 97% of the votes to truncate the dreams of Mrs Agyeman Rawlings, who was following former first ladies steps, including Hillary Clinton of the United States, who were taking a shot at the Presidency at the time.
Mrs Owusu-Ekuful insisted that the NDC literally chased the former first lady out of the party.
She, however, contradicted herself when she said the NPP had attempted to take the lead to appoint a female running mate in 2008—Hajia Alima Mahama—only for the National Council of the party to shoot it down.
Seeking to elevate the New Patriotic Party ahead of their rivals in terms of women empowerment, she said the ruling party had over the years offered more incentives for women to enter Parliament, including slashing nomination fees.