By Kwabena Nyamekye

A few months ago, when I was among friends and discussing politics, someone made the suggestion that the next NPP running mate should be a Ga. I must say I had not thought of this, yet on reflection this is a very good point to be at least considered by Mr Alan Kyerematen who hopefully, will become the NPP flag bearer for the 2016 election.

I see disaster looming for the NPP in the 2016 elections if the delegates choose Honourable Akufo Addo as flag bearer. With his 3 failed attempts to cross the 50% line since 2008, a loss of 4 swing regions, a decline of votes in our 2 strongholds and a steady decline in our parliamentary majority, I am certain that the 2016 elections for NPP will be a definite defeat if Nana Addo leads us. Hopefully the ordinary delegates will choose a new flag bearer and this will enhance our chances for victory. Of course this doesn’t mean there will be no room for Dr Mahamdu Bawumia in an NPP administration – there is always the Finance ministry or the Bank of Ghana and if he acquits himself there, then come 2024 when he is about 60 he will be a hot favourite to lead us.

Back to my main point: The Greater Accra region is a swing region. Also the Ga, the natives of the land are consolidated in the West of Accra and thus they control by their sheer numbers, a large slice of parliamentary seats that the NDC has been winning by since 2008

Under President Kufuor our votes in Accra went from 53.1% of the vote to 60.4% in the run-off . In 2004 we secured 51.7% of the vote. Thus our candidate, on his own, won a majority on 2 occasions even if you take out the run-off which saw other parties come to our aid. Sadly we have been declining since in Accra. In 2008 our vote fell to 46.03%. In the run off we went down further to 45.54%. In 2012 we managed to get just 46.92%. Therefore over 3 elections we have seen a total decline of 9% of our vote in Accra.

The decline in our fortunes in Accra will not be turned around easily. Something is wrong in the region that was one of the pillars of the Danquah-Busia tradition. Alan we can rescue the region by telling the youth about creating small business opportunities (something that is dear to your heart), we can remind fishermen of our track record with pre-mix fuel and raising money for landing harbours, but as I am sure you are aware people do not vote based just on economics or corruption issues. There is also a social dimension to voting. Identifying with a party is important and the Ga have been pushed to the edges of politics by all of Ghana, much to their anger. Thus I think that a mature, sensible, true Ga will be an asset to you and to our campaign. A Ga running mate will signal to votes that there is a strong bond between the Danquah-Busia tradition and the Gas.

Thus my focus here is on an appeal to the person I hope the delegates will choose – Alan Kyerematen: my call is for him to consider a Ga running mate. For too long the Danquah-Busia tradition has ignored the Greater Accra region and has thus taken the indigenes there for granted. What seems to be the consolation prize for the Gas has been the position of party chairman and other positions in the party – yet when it comes to the top 2 posts in government, the NPP seems to be limited to choosing a running mate from the North. We must bring back Accra to our fold. Candidate Kufuor was able to do so as the Ga youth in particular were disenchanted with decades of austerity under the NDC, and the loss of jobs in the civil service, and state-owned enterprises. These were places where they normally found employment after school. However given our loss of votes in 3 elections in Accra under Nana Addo we need new strategies to re-take that region.

Accra has always been a home to the Danquah-Busia tradition – Nii Amaa Ollenu, Peter Ala Adjetey, Edward Obetsebi-Lamptey, Attoh Quarshie and Attoh Okine are names on a long list of Ga Danquah-Busia diehards. 2016. Re-affirming our historical links to the Ga and the role of their leaders in our struggle can be done by considering a running mate from their ranks.

Delegates, we have an election to win. Please circulate this article via face book, whatsapp, email and any other social media so as to start a debate and to make all of us aware about the role a Ga running mate can play. If you know of a delegate who does not have access to social media please print it off for him or her. If you know a delegate who is illiterate, please explain this to him or her.