Ghanaian broadcaster and political commentator, Paul Adom-Otchere, has alleged that President John Dramani Mahama has identified his “anointed successor” within the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking on his Good Evening Ghana show on October 31, 2025, Adom-Otchere alleged that President Mahama is quietly backing Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to succeed him as the party’s next presidential candidate, with Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor as his potential running mate.

According to Adom-Otchere, intelligence reaching his desk suggests that Mahama has shown particular confidence in the leadership capabilities of both Forson and Jinapor, describing them as the "president’s ticket."

“This is President Mahama’s ticket, from what we are hearing, Cassiel Forson, the finance minister… He’s been told that if he continues doing what he’s doing until the end of next year, he will be the anointed choice of John Mahama as the next flagbearer of the NDC,” Adom-Otchere stated.

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He further revealed that Mahama has reportedly been impressed by Forson’s handling of Ghana’s macroeconomic challenges, including exchange rate stabilization and improvements in key fiscal indicators.

“Ato Forson will tell you that the cedi was 17, it is now 10 it’s a feather in his cap. He will tell you gold reserves have improved and petroleum prices have been stabilized,” he added.

Adom-Otchere also claimed that Mahama’s admiration for John Jinapor extends beyond his role as Energy Minister.

He noted that Jinapor’s long-standing relationship with Mahama dating back to when Jinapor served as the then former president’s spokesperson makes him a trusted political ally.

“John Jinapor, they call him ‘JJ’ in Parliament and he’s the deal. The two of them Ato Forson and Jinapor are the president’s ticket. Forget about everything else,” Adom-Otchere asserted.

The broadcaster described Jinapor as a “Christian from Gonja” with significant parliamentary and ministerial experience, which he said complements Forson’s economic expertise.

If this speculation proves to be true, it would mark a major betrayal of Julius Debrah the current Chief of Staff, who is also widely believed to have John Mahama’s backing in his presidential ambition.





AM/SSM

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