NDC Running Mate 2024 – Will the NDC Duo be able to beat the NPP this time?

John Mahama, flagbearer of Ghana’s NDC party, is sticking with Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as his choice for NDC running mate 2024. This confirms her place on the ticket as they challenge the incumbent government in the upcoming elections.

The former Education Minister, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang (Feb 2013-Jan 2017), was selected by former President John Dramani Mahama to be his running mate in the 2020 election. Despite they being unsuccessful in snatching power from the ruling New Patriotic Party, John Mahama still believes Prof Opoku-Agyeman is the best partner to help him beat Dr Bawumiah in the upcoming December elections.

The NDC’s leader officially submitted his nomination for running mate to the party’s Council of Elders today March 7, 2024. The party followed the guidelines outlined in their constitution (Article 45) during the selection process. That announcement has been greeted with enthusiasm and support from people from all walks of life, including academia, civil society, professional and women’s groups. Social media has also been awash with support for the NDC Running Mate.

The party expressed confidence in the chosen candidate, highlighting her experience and dedication. They believe this selection aligns with John Mahama’s vision for “Building the Ghana We Want.” The NDC remains committed to working towards a positive transformation for the country.

Taking an analytical look at the 2020 general election, where both John Mahama and Naana Opoku-Agyemang contested on the ticket of the NDC, they were able to amass 6,170,492 votes representing 47.2 % of the total votes cast vis-à-vis NPP’s 51.2%.

In the Central region where Prof Naana Opoku-Agyeman was born and hails from, the NDC pulled 538,829 representing 45.92%.

One may ask, if Prof Opoku-Agyemang could not help John Mahama to win the 2020 election and by extension the Central region where she hails from, is she a laudable partner for John Mahama again in the 2024 election?

On the contrary, academics like Prof Ransford Gyampo have hailed John Mahama for retaining Prof Opoku-Agyemang. According to him, this will help alleviate tension within the party.

“This decision will forestall or prevent unnecessary tension, rivalry, and competition, and some people were thinking that if this slot was given to someone else, it would have given a heads-up to that person because that candidate would have sought to replace John.”

Considering the continuous hardship and general price increase that has plagued the country in recent years, coupled with the general cry for change, will Ghanaians give John Mahama and Prof Opoku-Agyemang the nod this time, or will the ruling NPP be able to break the eight?