Dr. Etse Sikanku, a prominent political communication analyst and a senior lecturer at the University of Media Arts and Communication-Institute of Journalism has underscored the crucial role of the Vice President in bringing tangible change to the lives of Ghanaians.
Speaking after the 2nd Vice Presidential Permutations Forum organized by the Center for Public Discourse Analysis (CPDA), Dr. Sikanku urged political parties to select vice presidential candidates who are not only competent but also deeply connected to the sentiments and struggles of the Ghanaian people.
The forum, held at the UniMAC-IJ Seminar room on December 15, 2023, featured notable experts such as Dr. Nansata Yakubu, Programs Director at Reform Initiatives; Mr. Evans Mensah, Senior News Editor and Head of Political Desk at Joy FM; and Mr. Sammi Wiafe, Dean of the Presidential Press Corps. The discussions revolved around the theme “Choosing the Vice President: Qualities and the Kind of Vice President We Need.”
Dr. Nansata Yakubu advocated for gender equity, urging both the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party to consider female vice presidential candidates.
Citing the need for representation, she stated, “If we want to demonstrate equity and equality, both 5 shou5ld give us a female. If the two parties select female vice presidential candidates, we will definitely have a female vice president.” She also highlighted the low number of women who have held the office of the president in Africa and emphasized the potential positive impact of women in politics.
Mr. Evans Mensah directed a call to Former President John Mahama, urging him to choose a vice presidential candidate capable of succeeding him in the 2028 election. “John Mahama needs a running mate who can step into his shoes in 2028, and therefore he needs to do more. The person must tick all boxes,” he asserted. He also advised the New Patriotic Party to select a vice president distinct from the current government and hailing from the Ashanti Region.
Mr. Sammi Wiafe challenged the conventional notion that the vice president should always be an economist. He argued, “It is not necessary that the vice president should always be an economist; he can appoint a team of competent people to help him run the economy.” Stressing the importance of boldness, he suggested that having a vice president who can candidly address the president contributes to better governance.
Adding to the discussions, Mr. Wiafe urged Vice President Dr. Bawumia to announce his running mate early to alleviate unnecessary lobbying, speculations, and self-imposed pressure. He recommended finalizing the selection before the year’s end.
Dr. Etse Sikanku, the convener of the forum, described it as a contribution to deliberative democracy and discussions on institutional reform, particularly concerning the Vice Presidency. Notably, this marks the second edition of the forum, with the first held prior to the selection of vice presidential candidates for the 2020 election