The vice-presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress has pledged to work hard to ensure a resounding victory for the party come 7 December.
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was unveiled as John Mahama’s running mate on Monday 6 July. Having served as minister of education, the 68-year-old comes to the portfolio with some level of political experience.In a statement accepting her nomination, she vowed that she would “diligently apply myself and dedicate all the energy and intellect I can muster to ensure a resounding victory for the NDC and for our country, Ghana”.
She also said that she would contribute all the financial resources at her disposal to ensure that the NDC returns to power in 2021.
“Big win for participatory democracy”
Professor Opoku-Agyemang is the first woman to be made a vice-presidential candidate of a major political party in Ghana.
Elated by the move, the academic described her nomination as running mate to Mahama as “historic”. She argued that it is not only a personal achievement but also a huge win for participatory democracy.
She said her nomination also emphasises women’s credentials and towering role that women have played in Ghana’s politics.
“This historic nomination is not a personal achievement but a victory for inclusive and participatory democracy, which enhances the credentials of our country and recognizes the towering role women have played over the ages to achieve the progress we have made,” she added.
Desist from politics of insults
Reacting to the NDC nomination, the Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, advised activists to desist from smearing Professor Opoku-Agyemang and playing with the politics of insults.
She said the criticism of the NDC vice-presidential candidate should be based on her record, and not fixate on her being a woman.
“We should take her on for her record in public life and resist the temptation of calling her names and hurling invectives at her just because she is a woman,” the Ablekuma West MP posted on Facebook.
Owusu-Ekuful however warned that Opoku-Agyemang may find it difficult to convince women to support cause after appending her signature to a petition for the release of three NDC communicators who had threatened to rape and kill the then chief justice, Georgina Theodora Wood.
E A Alanore
* Asaase Radio 99.5 – now live on your radio. Tune in or log on to broadcasts online.
#asaaseradio
#TVOL
