Politics of Saturday, 6 December 2025

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Haruna, Ablakwa in serious 'fight' over NDC 2028 running mate slot – Adom-Otchere alleges

Former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and host of Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom-Otchere, has alleged an ongoing rift between the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

According to him, the tension stems from internal competition for the 2028 National Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential slot.

Speaking on his Good Evening Ghana programme on December 3, 2025, Adom-Otchere said both ministers have recently taken contradictory public positions on the debate over student hairstyle regulations an issue he claims reflects deeper political rivalry rather than mere policy differences.

Adom-Otchere said Ablakwa’s recent public disagreement with Haruna Iddrisu over student’s hairstyle in Senior High Schools breached government communication discipline, adding that such contradictions between cabinet members should not occur.

The broadcaster asserted that the real source of tension is the race to become the NDC’s running mate in the 2028 general election.

“The tussle for VP in NDC. That's what they are fighting about. That is the fight. Both of them want to be the next Vice President if the NDC were to win 2028. And both of them want to be Vice President for the same presidential candidates,” he said.

He claimed that both ministers aspire to partner the current Vice President, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, should the party choose her as its presidential candidate in 2028.

Adom-Otchere explained that Ablakwa enjoys a longstanding political relationship with Prof Opoku-Agyemang dating back to her days as Minister for Education under the then former President John Dramani Mahama, where Ablakwa served as her deputy.

Haruna Iddrisu, on the other hand, is said to be positioning himself based on his own political stature and influence within the party.

He further suggested that leading NDC figures including former National Chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and former Health Minister Alex Segbefia are key actors in the party’s internal alignment in favour of Prof Opoku-Agyemang.

According to Adom-Otchere, the Vice President’s camp sees Ablakwa as a strong bridge to the Volta Region, a strategic electoral bloc in NDC politics.

He argued that, both Iddrisu and Ablakwa have begun positioning themselves early for the 2028 contest.



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