Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper has said that the family of former President John Mahama has no right to decide his political future.
Kwesi Pratt Jnr said when it comes to pursuit of national interest, the families of Presidents play a very little part in deciding their affairs.
Reacting to a decision by Mr Mahama’s family to stop him from contesting the Presidency in 2020, Mr Pratt maintained that since Mr Mahama is a national asset, his family has no right to decide what he should do or not do in his political career.
“The family of Mahama has no locus. When it comes to the pursuit of interest, families play very little role. John Mahama has become a national asset just like J. A. Kufour and J.J. Rawlings and so coming out to say that he will not contest in 2020 is a no for me” he stated on an Accra based Kasapa fm.
The family of former President John Mahama has said that they will impress upon him not to contest the Presidency in 2020.
A younger brother of ex-president Mahama who spoke to the media said they are advising their kinsman to take a rest from active politics.
Ibrahim Mahama said “John has given his all in politics to the NDC and Ghana and we think it is just fair that we allow him to rest. We were very supportive and instrumental in convincing him to partner Prof. Mills, and when the time came for him to contest for President; we supported and advised him to go for it…now we have advised him not to make a comeback in 2020.”
Some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress have said that their best candidate for the 2020 presidential election will be ex-president Mahama.
But the family argues that Mahama has given his best to the public and the NDC. They believe it is time for the former president to rest.
However, Kwesi Pratt believes it is too early for the family to make such pronouncements.
According to him, Mr Mahama should be expecting that his legacy would be attacked and so he should be planning on how to defend it.
He is of the firm conviction that his political defense may inform his decision to make another bid or not.
“I think it is just too early for people to decide for the man. I remember Mr Mahama after the elections told a friend of mine that it is too early to make decisions for the future and so why should the family or even party members make such statements.
“I think he should just get to defend his legacy politically and if that is done, he will take a decision on whether to continue or end it. Things haven’t begun panning out yet and so let’s just cross our hands and wait” he noted.
Click on attached audio for more