2020 polls: Mahama-Zanetor ticket will be 'very powerful, tough card' – Lecturer

A Senior Political Science Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Kwesi Amakye, has tipped Member of Parliament (MP) for Klottey Korle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, as a very good candidate to partner Mr John Dramani Mahama as running mate for the 2020 presidential ticket of the main opposition National Democratic Congress should the former president win the flag bearer race.

Dr Amakye told Class91.3FM’s 12Live news programme on Monday, 19 November 2018 that Dr Zanetor “has what it takes to partner former president Mahama in 2020”.

In his opinion, such a move will be “a strategic card to play”.

Dr Amakye added that Dr Agyman-Rawlings “will make a good choice”.

He added that such a strategy will be “a tough card and a very powerful one”.

Dr Amakye, therefore, wants discussions to focus on “her competence and capacity” and related matters.

“We need to acknowledge that the lady has what it takes,” he added, as he pointed out that a running mate role will bring added benefits to the NDC party.

Meanwhile, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings has said she is "willing" to support the NDC, the party her father, former president Jerry John Rawlings founded, to win the 2020 general elections by serving in "whatever capacity".

Asked directly by Moro Awudu, host of Class91.3FM's Executive Breakfast Show at the party's 9th National Delegates Congress grounds if she was ready to partner Mr Mahama as his running mate into the 2020 polls should the former president win the flag bearer slot of the party, the medical doctor-turned-politician said: "You're asking a tricky question, which I mustn't answer because I am not the one to decide who his running mate should be should he emerge as the flag bearer".

"So, I think to answer that question would be a bit premature", she said.

A few days ago, former president Mahama's campaign team described the Mahama-Zanetor running mate reports as false.

A statement from Mr Mahama's Campaign Office signed by spokesperson James Agyenim-Boateng on Wednesday, 7 October 2018, asked the public to disregard the speculations.

"Former President John Dramani Mahama has become aware of speculations about his choice of Running Mate for the 2020 Presidential elections.

"We wish to state that the reports are false.

"Mr. Mahama is presently focused on both his NDC flag bearer campaign and his official duties.

"Therefore, Ghanaians should disregard all such conjectures", the statement said.