Selection of John Mahama is good-Kwesi Jonah

10/04/08
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
A SENIOR lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Legon, Mr Kwesi Jonah has described Prof Evans Atta Mill’s selection of Mr John Mahama to partner him for the December elections as “good decision” and “politically correct”.
He said Mr Mahama appealed to many Ghanaians from all political divide and that he could attract more people to the party.
Mr Jonah told the Daily Graphic ethnic and regional balance, gender and religious balance were some of the considerations for selecting a running mate.
However, he said, much of the debate on the running mate was centred on religion to the neglect of the other considerations.
“Unfortunately, people are looking at only one factor. The debate is deficient. Let us look at the factors in totality”, he said.
Mr Jonah who is research fellow at the Institute for Democratic Governance (IEDG) said it was only a few individuals who were calling for a Muslim to partner Prof Mills, and said majority of the party faithful were only interested in the party winning power.
He said the challenge for Prof Mills and Mr Mahama was to reach out to the former President Jerry John Rawlings “because information indicates that he is no pleased”.
Mr Jonah asked the two to explain to Mr Rawlings the basis for the choice and assure him that “the choice does not mean that they will not consult him”.
“They cannot afford to antagonise the founder who is a good fund-raiser”, he stressed.
Mr Jonah again urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives to assure Muslims that s the selection of Mr Mahama was not a marginalisation of Muslims, and that they would be fully involved in the decision of the party and their interests taken care of.
He asked those whose names were mentioned as possible contenders not to feel rejected but continue to play their role in the party.