Sir Sam Jonah Emerges as Strong Contender for NDC Running Mate in 2024 Elections
Reports suggest that Sir Sam Jonah, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, is among the leading candidates being considered as the running mate for National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama in the upcoming 2024 elections.
According to sources within the NDC, Sir Sam Jonah, former CEO of Ashanti Goldfields, is highly regarded by prominent figures in the party and is currently at the top of the list for the running mate position. It is believed that a close relationship has developed between former President Mahama and Sam Jonah in recent years.
The involvement of Mahama’s younger brother, Ibrahim Mahama, is said to play a significant role in fostering the connection between the two men. Sources close to Sir Sam Jonah have revealed that his consideration for the role comes as no surprise, as he was previously approached to be Mahama’s running mate in the 2012 election, although he politely declined the offer at that time.
In a recent development, John Mahama and Sam Jonah were seen together in South Korea, where Sir Jonah introduced the NDC presidential candidate to his extensive network of influential contacts. It is worth noting that Sam Jonah is reported to be a card-bearing member of the NDC.
The potential selection of Sir Sam Jonah as John Mahama’s running mate for the 2024 elections showcases the growing significance of his involvement in the NDC and highlights his potential to contribute to the party’s campaign.
Profile of Sam Jonah:
Samuel Esson Jonah is a prominent Ghanaian businessman known for his role as the Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, an equity fund based in Johannesburg, South Africa. With a remarkable career, Jonah previously served as the President of AngloGold Ashanti and shared strategic leadership responsibilities with CEO Bobby Godsell.
Jonah’s educational journey began at Adisadel College in Cape Coast, Ghana. He later pursued an Associateship in Mining Engineering at the Camborne School of Mines in Cornwall, England, and earned an MSc in Mine Management from the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London. Starting in 1979, he joined the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation, where he held various positions, including in underground operations.
At the age of 36, Jonah assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and played a pivotal role in transforming Ashanti Goldfields into a multinational mining company. Under his leadership, gold production surged from 240,000 ounces per annum to over 1.6 million ounces in just over a decade. He also oversaw the company’s historic listing as the first operational African firm on the New York Stock Exchange.
After a successful 37-year tenure with the mining company, Jonah sought new horizons as an entrepreneur. He established Jonah Capital, a diversified investment firm that holds the second-largest stake in pan-African microlender Bayport. Additionally, Jonah Capital is a significant shareholder in Houses for Africa, a company engaged in middle-class housing construction projects across Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Nigeria. The company also provides financial services in these regions. Jonah’s entrepreneurial endeavors further expanded with the launch of Jonah Mining, which focuses on investments in coal, platinum, uranium, and gold. The strategy involves acquiring controlling stakes in a diverse portfolio of unlisted junior mining projects in Africa, with the intention of eventually listing them separately.
Aside from his investment ventures, Sir Jonah has held seats on the boards of several companies, including Uramin, Moto Mining, and SA’s Scharrig Mining. Recognizing the potential of Africa’s resources, Jonah firmly believes that the continent offers ample opportunities for investment. However, he notes that the political-economic management and governance improvements in Africa have not attracted the level of investment warranted by its resource potential. In recent years, countries like China, Russia, and India have been investing in Africa’s oil and mineral wealth, prompting concerns from US and European institutions regarding a potential debt trap and support for illegitimate governments.
Throughout his career, Jonah has served on numerous boards and advisory councils, such as Transnet, Mittal Steel SA, Ashesi University, Standard Bank of South Africa, Lonmin, the Commonwealth African Investment Fund (Comafin), the Advisory Council of the UN Secretary General’s Global Compact, President Olusegun Obasanjo’s International Investment Advisory Council on Nigeria, President Thabo Mbeki’s International Investment Advisory Council of South Africa, and President John Kufuor’s Ghana Investors’ Advisory Council. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the London Business School.
In recognition of his accomplishments as an African businessman, a leading executive in the Commonwealth, and an international figure, Jonah has received numerous honors. In 1996, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc) degree jointly by the Camborne School of Mines and the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. Additionally, Jonah House at Adisadel College, his alma mater, was named after his father, Thomas Jonah. In June 2003, he became the first Ghanaian to be knighted in the 21st century, receiving an honorary knighthood from the Prince of Wales. His knighthood symbolized his significant contributions to business in Africa and his global presence. Notably, Jonah has also been recognized among the wealthiest individuals in Ghana.
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