The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has joined the chorus of voices calling for the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to choose his running mate from the Ashanti region.
The call comes amid intense competition among some New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament who are vying to partner with Dr Bawumia, the newly elected flagbearer of the party.
Some of the names that have been mentioned include Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister for Energy, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, Joseph Osei-Owusu, the First Deputy Speaker, and Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Education Minister.
In an interview with JoyNews, Mr Osei-Owusu, who is also the MP for Bekwai, said that it was a consensus in the party that Dr Bawumia’s running mate should come from the Ashanti region.
He said that this was the only way to ensure the party’s victory in the 2024 general election.
He said, “It is generally agreed in the party that if Bawumia wins, his running mate should come from the Ashanti region.”
He added that he believed that Dr Bawumia had consented to that agreement.
He said that the ideal candidate for the position should have values such as integrity and respect, and should complement the new leader.
He said that although the candidates that have been mentioned so far meet the criteria, they are not the only ones who are eligible to be nominated and that the field is wide.
He said that he was not putting himself forward as a candidate and that he would leave the decision to Dr Bawumia.
He said, “I think that we should allow the man the space to look at the whole game board and select.”
He said that he agreed that the person must come from the Ashanti region because that would boost the confidence of the people in the region and show that the party values their immense contribution.
Meanwhile, a member of the Bawumia campaign team, Sammi Awuku, has dismissed suggestions that Dr Bawumia is already considering his choice of a running mate for the 2024 polls.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, November 7, he said that the Vice President is not in a hurry to name his running mate.
He said that Dr Bawumia is an extremely analytical person and consults widely on issues and that he would take the views of people he knows and pick the right man when the time comes.
He said, “For now, let me issue a disclaimer. The Vice President has not discussed with any member of his inner team or bigger team about his choice that he would be recommending to the National Council.”
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