Kwesi Ahwoi
A senior member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kwesi Ahwoi, has been criticised for suggesting that the party’s flagbearer, ex-President John Dramani Mahama, may die for his running mate to take over if NDC wins this year’s election.
Mr. Ahwoi, while proposing a toast at a ceremony honouring Mr. Mahama’s running mate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, advised her to hold herself in readiness to become President of Ghana, stating that “anything can happen.”
According to him, John Dramani Mahama may face the same fate as the late President John Evans Atta Mills, who died in office in 2012, allowing his vice to succeed him.
“John Mahama was not prepared 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 like your motto says. Be ready! Anything can happen and you can become the President of the Republic of Ghana,” Kwesi Ahwoi asserted in a video which has gone viral.
In line with Ghana’s constitution, Mr. Mahama became President of Ghana on July 24, 2012 on the death of his predecessor, Prof. Atta Mills.
The late President had returned from medical checkups in the United States a few weeks prior, but complained of pains on Monday evening and died early Tuesday afternoon as his condition deteriorated.
The suggestion by Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, 77, at his office on Church Street, Labone in Accra, that the NDC flagbearer could suffer the same fate has angered pro-Mahama fans in the NDC, who have called it an act of great malevolence.
According to reports, the remarks by Mr. Ahwoi, an influential personality in the NDC, shocked several attendees of the event, and some of them unceremoniously left the scene in protest.
In the video, a female voice can be heard shouting, “No, no, don’t pray for death!” in response to Kwesi Ahwoi’s statements.
Kwesi Ahwoi is said to have sponsored the candidacy of Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang as running mate to John Mahama against all odds.
He and his brothers, Ato and Kwamina Ahwoi were reportedly instrumental in the choice of Mr. Mahama as running mate of the late President Atta Mills.
On March 7, 2024, the NDC confirmed Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as former President John Dramani Mahama’s running mate.
According to a statement issued by its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the NDC said it was happy to present a formidable team of John and Jane for the 2024 presidential election.
It added that the choice of Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang, a former Minister of Education with years of experience, demonstrated the party’s commitment to empowering women, noting that Naana is a distinguished academic and leader known for her dedication to education and public service.
“Her nomination underscores the NDC’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and the empowerment of women in leadership roles,” the party said.
By Ernest Kofi Adu
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