There is currently a strong lobbying effort by supporters of Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, the 2020 running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to retain her position after calls for her to be replaced by John Mahama. Following the NDC’s primaries that elected Mahama as the party’s flagbearer, several names are being considered as potential replacements for Opoku Agyemang. However, these discussions are still in the early stages as the focus was initially on securing Mahama’s overwhelming election as flagbearer.
Among the prominent names being mentioned is Dr. Valerie Sawyerr, a former Deputy Chief of Staff and trusted senior advisor to Mahama, known for her strong connections within and outside the party. Patrick Awuah, the founder of Ashesi University, who reportedly turned down offers to be Mahama’s running mate in 2020, may also be considered again, with hopes that he might change his mind.
Other potential candidates include Cassiel Ato Forson, the minority leader, economist, Member of Parliament, and former Deputy Finance Minister; Kwame Awuah-Darko, former Managing Director of BOST and TOR, who was considered for the 2020 running mate position; Joseph Siaw Agyapong, the Group CEO of Jospong and a party financier; Opong Fosu, a local government expert; and Eric Opoku, an influential Member of Parliament who could help secure votes in the middle and southern regions of Ghana for the NDC.
While there are supporters who are actively advocating for the retention of Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, some members within the party believe that her lack of national appeal to voters could potentially lead to an NDC loss in the 2024 election. Criticism against her includes the fact that she lost the Central Region in the 2020 election, as well as an assertion by former Foreign Minister Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah that she did not contribute significantly to the party’s success. Former National Organizer of the NDC, Yaw Boateng Gyan, also expressed disappointment with her performance as running mate, describing her as a “monumental flop” for the party.
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