Choose running mate from Ashanti or Greater Accra - Activists urge Dr Mahama

Accra, Aug. 17, GNA - The New Ghanaian Movement (NMG) a political think-tank forum on Sunday urged Dr. Edward Nasigrie Mahama, Flag bearer of the People's National Convention (PNC) to consider choosing a running mate from either the Ashanti or Greater Accra regions.

"A personality from any of these two regions to partner Dr Mahama, would enhance the party's chances of winning Election 2008," Mr Kwadwo Annin, NMG Executive Secretary stated in a statement to Ghana News Agency in Accra.

The statement explained that as the PNC Flag bearer ponders who to tap in the next few weeks as his running mate, "we believe that these two regions stand marginalised out of Election 2008 activities and running mate from any of the two would balance the political terrain to create the needed regional equilibrium."

The running mate should posess the qualities that would make him an electoral assert to the PNC and help win the December polls for the party with ease, "a team maker, conciliator and a unifier" who could garner massive votes from the southern sector for the party.

"The PNC leader needs to search for somebody who shares his vision for the country which would yield the needed fundamental change not only our policies but how our politics work, and how business should be conducted in Ghana"

The New Ghanaian Movement statement outlined some qualities that the PNC leader should consider in selecting a running mate which include a personality with the ability to be a good president if the need arose during the presidency.

Other qualities include ability to offer good adviser, with the nerve to counsel the President, a team player, nationalistic personality and youthful personality.

The running mate should be one who commands a political constituency and ability to attract floating voters, the marginalised youth and women and capable of sparking voters' enthusiasm.