CPP, NDP introduce running mates

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the National Democratic Party (NDP) yesterday introdued the running mates to their presidential aspirants at separate events in Accra to complete their tickets to contest  the December 7 general election.

Both running mates — Nana Gabby Nketia, CPP, and Mr Kodjo Mensah Sosuh, NDP, are businessmen who are expected to bring on board their acumen to fix some of the challenges facing the private sector should their parties win the presidential election.

While Nana Nketia, 72, is likely to attract the aged and some retired soldiers, Mr Sosuh, 47, could also attract  the youth, businessmen and football fans.

NDP

At a colourful ceremony  attended by the national executive and the rank and file of the party, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, the NDP’s presidential aspirants,  lifted Mr Sosuh’s right hand to introduce him to the party faithful, amid shouts of the party’s slogans: “NDP –power to the people, NDP-our nation our future, Action - be bold. Be bold - action”.

Before “outdooring’’ Mr Sosuh, Nana Konadu said she settled on the man from Keta in the Volta Region because of his pedigree as an entrepreneur and leader of some local football clubs.

She said the choice of Mr Sosuh, married with five children, was indicative of the confidence that he would attract the youth to the party to increase its fortunes in the upcoming polls.

“He is a self-made man in education, business, sports and social life. He is a capable gentleman with a lot of experience, a team player and a team leader. He has done a lot. We have had a lot of discussion and I know he will not disappoint. He is a go-getter,”  Nana Konadu, who was in a white outfit decorated with the NDP colours of red, green and black, said.

Volta Region

Following the introduction of the NDP’s running mate, the party has joined the rank of political parties which have chosen their running mates from the Volta Region.

The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) selected a former beauty queen and gender advocate, Ms Brigitte Dzogbenuku, while the People's National Convention (PNC) chose Mr Emmanuel Anyidoho, an economist, as their running mates ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections in December 2016.

The Volta Region has traditionally been voting for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), which describes the region as its ‘world bank.’

Bold step

In his acceptance speech, Mr Sosuh, who sported a white attire, said he would work hard to ensure that the NDP won the forthcoming general election.

“I have taken a bold step. I hope it inspires others who mean well for the economy,” he said, and urged the voiceless to stand out and be counted.

He said it was only probity, accountability, fairness and transparency that would ensure the progress of the nation, attracting applauds from the gathering, most of whom were in NDP colours, while some waved flags of the party and other paraphernalia.

Youth

In a remark, the National Chairman of the NDP, Dr Nana Asare Bediako, said Mr Sosuh would complement the flag bearer given his deep understanding of the political trend in the country.

He urged the public to vote massively for the NDP, since it was the only alternative which would “put Ghana back on its track.”

Earlier, the National Youth Leader of the NDP, Dr David Sunu, took the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the cleaners for “grounding the economy through unrestrained and high expenditures.

“Hunger has become the order of the day. Young people have to rise up and ask for change. We have to make a choice between those who see governance as a business and those who see it as a means to better the lives of the people,” he said.

Dr Sunu said a lot of young people in business had had to close down their businesses “as a result of the hardship in the country. Our flag bearer gave a voice to women, created  employment and teaming up with our running mate gives us a strong team which will rescue Ghana from corrupt leadership”.

NDP

The NDP was founded in October 2012 following a split from the ruling NDC. 

Its first leader is former NDC politician Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, who is also the wife of a former President of Ghana and founder of NDC, Jerry John Rawlings.

Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings did not have the opportunity to contest the 2012 elections because the Electoral Commission, at the time said there were some blank spaces on her form which needed to be filled out before it could be accepted.

CPP

The CPP also introduced Nana Nketia as its running mate in Accra yesterday.

Hailing from the Brong Ahafo Region and with his experience as a soldier, Nana Nketia is expected to cut a slice of the electorate in the region, as well as secure the support of some retired soldiers and the aged in the upcoming general election for the CPP to win the presidential poll.

At a ceremony to introduce him, Nana Nketia said he was asked last September to consider serving the country and help strengthen democracy by accepting to become the running mate to Mr Ivor Greenstreet, the presidential candidate of the CPP.

“I am aware of the sensitive nature of the request but balancing that against the uneasiness that exists presently on account of the political situation in Ghana now, I thought it would be a good thing to come out of political retirement to help arrest this pervading uneasiness,” he said.

No longer with NPP

On his membership of the NPP, he said he was originally a CPP member, having benefited much from the social interventions of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, before joining the NPP, and added that “every Ghanaian was once a CPP person”.

 He said he had ended his membership of the NPP and was now a full member of the CPP with the agenda of partnering Mr Greenstreet to deliver victory in the December polls to the CPP.

For his part, Mr Greenstreet said he decided on Nana Nketia as a running mate because he was selfless and a born-servant who was ready and willing to serve at all levels of national life.

He said Nana Nketia exhibited such humility and hard work in the period that he served in the Kufuor administration and that his humility contrasted sharply with some arrogant persons currently serving in the NDC administration.

For his part, the Chairman of the party, Professor Edmund Delle, said, “We want to restore Ghana to the glory days under Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.”

“People thought the CPP is not ready but we are battle-ready for victory in the December polls,” Prof. Delle announced to loud response from party faithful who graced the occasion.