A Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, has emphasized that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate should be someone who appeals to the Christian majority in Ghana. Despite the overwhelming support for Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Prof. Gyampo believes that the party faithful will vote for the party regardless of who is chosen as a running mate.
According to Prof. Gyampo, Ghana’s demographics dictate that the running mate must be someone who resonates with Christians, who make up over 70% of the population. He believes that this will help balance Dr. Bawumia’s religion and make Christians feel more comfortable supporting the ticket.
According to him, the running mate should complement Dr. Bawumia, appeal to floating voters, and possess the ability to reach out to election candidates beyond the party’s support base. Additionally, the running mate should have the temperament and statesmanship to serve as acting president in Dr. Bawumia’s absence.
Prof. Gyampo’s comments come after a National Investigative Bureau survey revealed that Dr. Opoku Prempeh is the preferred choice among party members, with 76.2% of the votes. Other contenders include Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Apostle Opoku Onyinah, and Bryan Acheampong. The survey also showed a strong consensus that the running mate should be selected from the Ashanti Region.
While the party’s support base is crucial, Prof. Gyampo emphasizes that the running mate should be able to appeal to a broader audience, particularly the Christian majority, to ensure a winning ticket.
