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An Event to celebrate Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman’s renomination as John Mahama’s running mate left many guests aghast
Kwesi Ahwoi, 77, a senior member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Minister of Interior (2013-2014) has angered the rank and file of the NDC, especially the pro-Mahama camp, with his comments suggesting the fate that befell the late President John Evans Atta Mills for his Vice President to take over, could befall John Dramani Mahama in the event of NDC winning the presidential race in December 2024.
What was intended to be a happy event at the Ahwois’ office on Church Street, Labone, to celebrate Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman’s renomination as John Mahama’s running mate left many guests aghast, with some reportedly leaving the scene prematurely?
In proposing a toast to Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, 72, Kwesi Ahwoi stated confidently that she would be the first woman Vice President of Ghana. A harmless message it seemed. However, he proceeded to show how when he went further to urge her to hold herself in readiness to be president since “anything can happen” as it, indeed, happened when John Mahama took over with the passing of Professor Evan Atta-Mills, which allowed Vice President John Mahama to be sworn in to finish the unexpired term in 2012.
“John Mahama was not ready to be president at the time but nature schemed things in such a way that President Mills had to give way to John Mahama. Anything can happen, so Naana, be ever prepared as your motto says, anything thing can happen and you can become the President of the Republic of Ghana,” Kwesi Ahwoi said, in a video that has since gone viral.
His comments have sparked speculations in social media over the health of former President John Mahama, who will be contesting the presidency for the fourth time in December.
President John Atta Mills, who was suffering from throat cancer, died on 24 July 2012, aged 68, after ruling since 2009. His vice president took over, going on to contest successfully the December 2012 general elections.
It is documented that the influential Ahwoi brothers (Ato, Kwamena, and Kwesi) were the ones who persuaded President Jerry John Rawlings to pick Prof Mills as his running mate in 1996. Ato Ahwoi’s office on Church Street, Labone, was seen as a place of great influence under the Mills administration. Naana Poku-Agyemang, whose candidacy was sponsored by the Ahwois, is seen as embodying the revival and extension of that old influence.
Mr John Mahama, if successful in 2024, can serve only one four-year term, paving the way for what can be expected to be a hot battle for his succession within the NDC. Incidentally, the Pro-Jane camp, led by the powerful Ahwoi brothers, used Naana Poku-Agyemang’s age and apparent lack of ambition as making her the safest bet for NDC’s running mate for 2024.
