XYZ News can confirm that President Mahama has finally settled on who will be his Vice President for the next five months.
XYZ News can also confirm that President Mahama will present the name to Parliament tomorrow Tuesday July 31 for scrutiny and approval.
Under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the Vice President who is sworn in as President by Parliament following the death of a President is to nominate a candidate to be endorsed by Parliament as Vice President.
Several names have been speculated as possible candidates. They include Trades Minister Hannah Tetteh, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission PV Obeng, Ghana’s longest serving former Finance Minister Kwesi Botchwey and former NDC Flagbearer-Aspirant Ekwow Spio Garbrah.
Other names making the rounds include local government minister Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority Sylvester Mensah, former Flagbearer of the National Reform Party Goosie Tanoh and Lands Minister Mike Hammah.
XYZ News can however report that President Mahama’s choice of Vice President is highly likely not to be any of the names speculated.
XYZ News sources within the Castle say President Mahama is likely to go in for a compromise candidate.
President Mahama is a Northern Christian and by convention, may likely choose a Southern Muslim to balance the scales.**