Former Ashanti Regional Manager of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Yaw Afrifa Yamoah Ponko is urging those lacing their boots to battle for the presidential slot of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to quit should former President John Dramani Mahama show interest in the future.
“I have not heard from the former president that he is contesting and no one has told me about it but if it comes out that he is running for the election in 2020, those who are seeking to lead the party as its flagbearers must give way to him”, he disclosed on Asempa Fm’s Ekosi Sen Tuesday.
Asked if he endorsed the return of the former President for 2020, he said “If the NDC goes to congress and anyone wins as flagbearer he becomes the automatic choice for the party but as I said I wish those who want to contest know that John Mahama stands tall and that is why if he stages a comeback they must pave way”
The former Ejisu/Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) who was commenting on alleged secret meetings involving the former president and some party faithful at Kumasi last weekend, observed that there is nothing wrong if he held meetings with party members in the Ashanti region.
He, however, stated that he had no prior knowledge of the said meeting and was equally not invited.
The race for the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress has become a major subject of discussion among members of the party with calls of the return of the former president many party pundits believe is the best bet for 2020.
Names like Former Ministers of Communications, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; Employment and Labor Relations, Haruna Iddrisu; Roads and Highways; Inusah Fuseini; Education, Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang; Foreign Affairs, Hannah Serwah Tetteh; Trade and Industry; Dr Ekow Spio Gabrah; Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, former Minister of State and Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovations, are all reported interested in leading the NDC into the 2020 election.
Others reported to be interested in leading the party after Mr Mahama’s reign include former Ministers of Youth and Sports, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuije; Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur; former Brong Ahafo Minister, Eric Opoku; former Central Regional Minister; Kwaku Rickett Hagan; former Minister of State at the presidency, Rashid Pelpuo; and former majority leader and now 2nd deputy Speaker of Parliament; Alban Kingsford Sumane Bagbin.
The likes of immediate past Senior Policy Adviser and Head of Presidential Delivery Unit, Dr Valerie Sawyer; former MP for La Dadekotopon, Nii Amasah Namoale; former Chief Executives of NHIA, Sylvester Mensah; COCOBOD’s Dr Stephen Opuni; Eco Medical Village’s, Dzifa Aku Ativor; former KMA boss, Kojo Bonsu; 1st vice Chairman of NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo; former Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia; MP for Klottey Korle; Dr Zanetor Rawlings; Anlo MP; Clement Kofi Humado and former vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur were also reported to be interested in the post.