Calls are increasing for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to re-consider and choose Cassiel Ato Forson, an expert finance guru representing the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency in the Central Region on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as replacement for his Central Regional counterpart Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang in 2024.
Forces within the party are reportedly mounting pressure on the top hierarchy to ensure the former deputy minister for Finance is picked to partner defacto flagbearer for the 2024 election John Mahama with the deterioration of the country’s economy.
While Unibank founder and former Central Bank boss Dr. Kwabena Duffour was said to have stood a better chance, his internal contest against Mahama will hurt his chances, sources told this portal.
A key member of the National Executive Committee of the NDC told MyNewsGh.com the party may have to change Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang and consider someone with economics or finance background giving the current challenges of the country.
He however explained that” changing her will not be easy because she is also fighting underground”.
Asked who could be considered for her replacement, the source mentioned Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as someone whose name has come up strongly from across all the discussions, and especially because he hails from the same region the 2020 running mate hails from.
“With Cassiel Ato Forson, Central Region will not feel NDC took them off the ticket and you have someone who can answer to the current economic challenges. You know, all what is happening now in the economy, Dr. Ato Forson foresaw it and kept warning. He has national credibility on the economy. “
“The attempt to woo women vote with our selection of Prof did not work as we projected. Maybe if she is given a chance again, she can prove herself but 2024 is too critical for another lottery because we can’t lose to NPP again.”
Many people have accused Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang of not adding anything new to the NDC in 2020 and believe 2024 could even be worse for the NDC if she is maintained on the ticket. She is a Professor of Literature and an award-winning academic who became first female running mate.
The source intimates that other possible names that could be considered included Eric Opoku, a former Bono Regional Minister and Agriculture expert; Alex Mould, energy and finance expert who is a former GNPC CEO; Kingsley Kwame Awuah Darko, a private businessman and former CEO of BOST and TOR; Mawuena Trebarh, a trade and investment expert if the candidate insists on a woman and Dr. Kwabena Duffour if the flagbearer insists on him.
However, the source said Dr. Ato Forson’s choice is stronger.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has been a Member of Parliament since 2009 and is currently the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament. He served as the deputy minister for Finance from 2013 to 2017. During the time, he served as a member of Ghana’s Economic Management Team also served on several boards including that of the Bank of Ghana and Ghana Cocoa Board.
He was also Ghana’s Alternate Governor at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
His expertise were also brought to light when he chaired the Committee that implemented the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System Reforms (GIFMIS).
He obtained a PhD in Business and Management (finance option) in September 2020 from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana.
Prior to getting the doctorate, the MP had two master’s degrees: A master of Science in Taxation from the University of Oxford, UK and another Master of Science degree in economics from KNUST. He had his first degree in accounting at the South Bank University in London.
Dr. Forson is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants,Ghana and a fellow of Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Change running mate
Months ago, election expert and pollster, Ben Ephson suggested that former President John Dramani Mahama must consider a new running mate if he wants to succeed in becoming President again in the 2024 general elections. His advice followed a EIU forecast on Ghana.
According to the Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper, the 2022 presidential candidate will have a better chance if he abandons Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang as his running mate.
“Mahama would have to repackage himself because a Mahama with the same running mate is going to be difficult. He may have to form an alliance or perhaps, pick one of the six [NDC presidential contenders] as his running mate.
“Because where Mahama is, he has the advantage of being marketed already. And Mahama with all his body language looks like retaining his running mate for 2020. If he does, I think he should forget 2024,” Ben Ephson told Asaase Radio in an interview.
Already, a five-year forecast by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is tipping the NDC to return to power at the end of the 2024 general elections.
According to the EIU report, ongoing public dissatisfaction with the slow pace of improvements in governance such as infrastructure development, job creation, and easing of corruption will push the electorate to seek a change in the 2024 general elections.
While the predictions appear to be in favour of the NDC, the EIU adds that there would be a better chance if the largest opposition party presents a different candidate as flagbearer other than ex-President John Dramani Mahama.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
