Sometimes it is beyond me to comprehend the thinking process of some of our politicians. When it comes to choosing a running mate (veep) why are they still thinking in a very narrow minded, ‘old-fashioned’ way that the candidate must be a Northerner or a Southerner or a Muslim or Christian? To me this shows political immaturity. Choosing a running mate should be based purely on the ability of the person to win votes for the NPP and not because the person is a Muslim or a Northerner. For example look at the current Vice President who comes from Northern Ghana.

Everyone knows that he is a fine gentlemen and a Muslim, but still NPP could not get enough votes to win the Northern sector of our country. Therefore it is clear that it makes no sense to think that choosing a candidate on any grounds other than whether he can win votes for the NPP, is the right decision. This only show how immature and short sighted the NPP officials are when it comes to selecting the right candidate.

In short, NPP should choose a running mate based on his or her ability to attract votes to the party and win the uphill battle that lies ahead of them. A similar fate fell on the NDC candidate Prof Ata Mills a Fante and a fine gentleman. Ata Mills did not win his own enclave where the majority are Fantes. They simple did not vote for him last time around. The Fantes voted for the person and the party they thought will work best for them. The average voter in Ghana today is more sophisticated than given credit for. They are looking for a person who can meet their modern economic, social and political needs more than a tribal person or a political stooge who will not deliver on the promises. It is about time we moved away from Muslim (Northern) and Christian (Southern) divide and concentrate on the quality of the person and his ability to deliver, rather then their tribal or religious affiliations.

Steve Garbrah (KANEWU)

sgarbrah@tpg.com.au