I stepped back in NDC running mate race for fresh faces - Prof Kwesi Botchwey
Professor Kwesi Botchwey, Ghana's longest-serving Finance Minister has disclosed that he decided to step back in the running mate nomination of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The reason, he said was to allow for fresh faces to take up that position and that anybody who is articulate and understands the fundamentals of governance fits that position.
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He, however, disagreed with suggestions that it is only persons with economics background that fits the vice-presidential position or slot.
Responding to what he makes of the selection of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the running mate of Mr John Dramani Mahama, Prof Botchwey said she has what it takes to partner the NDC flagbearer.
Prof Botchwey said this in a media interview in Accra on Monday night [July 27, 2020], when the NDC at an official ceremony at the campus of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) introduced Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as its presidential running mate.
He said she has proven track records to partner the flagbearer to capture power in the December 7, 2020 polls.
Prof Botchwey's name came up last year as a possible choice as running mate to the NDC flagbearer.
Read also: Prof Kwesi Botchwey tipped as running mate to Mahama for 2020
But reacting after Prof Opoku-Agyemang was selected, Prof Botchwey said: "I think that every party, our party [NDC] especially has forged a generational transition so that we, the older ones can step back a bit to provide guidance and support."
“I thought it was the time for the party to have this generational transition so that we the older ones can step back and still provide guidance if it is sought.”
"We can't have the same generation or people leading the party. That was my view and I think I've been vindicated, you've seen Naana, she is very focused, she is very driven, she is humble, she is well spoken, she is every bit of what we will want to see in the vice-president. So this is about Naana, it is not about Kwesi Botchwey.”
”There is nothing in our laws, in our constitution or anywhere that says that the vice-president must be an economist. What you need is to be just a good social analyst, a good social scientist, with the tools to ask the right questions and be focused on the business of national development and that is all you need.”
"I mean Naana is a good manager, she has a proven track record, she has led a public institution..., she can do the job and she can debate any economist.
Prof Botchwey said Prof. Opoku-Agyeman has so far exhibited qualities that she is ready to work for the country and the party.
The flagbearer of NDC, former President John Dramani Mahama, on July 6, 2020, selected Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate for the 2020 presidential elections.
Prof Opoku-Agyeman was selected as running mate for the NDC ticket after a meeting between the flagbearer and the National Executive Committee (NEC) at the NDC Headquarters on Monday, July 6, 2020, in Accra.
On Monday, July 27, this year, Prof. Opoku-Agyeman was introduced to the electorate by the party.
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