NDC chooses Mahama as Mills' running mate

The National Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress has approved, unanimously, the choice of John Dramani Mahama, MP for Bole/Bamboi, as Professor John Evans Atta Mills' running mate for Election '08.

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, NDC Deputy General Secretary announced the decision of the NDC NEC moments ago at a rather brief press conference at the Kama Conference Centre, Nyaniba Estates, Accra.

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah said the choice was made in conformity with Article 44 of the NDC Constitution and after due consultation.

Prof. Mills is expected to outdoor his vice presidential candidate at a separate function yet to be scheduled.

John Mahama beat several others to the slot after the likes of Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu, a lawyer; Mohammed Mumuni, Mill's previous running mate; and MP Alban Bagbin were rumoured as favourites.

Mahama Ayariga on the choice of John Mahama

“I believe that everybody accepts the fact of John being able and competent person to pair with Professor John Evans Atta Mills. He has so many qualities, he is an excellent person, he is an excellent material, an excellent gentleman, he has the composure and we believe that he is an excellent choice for running mate.

"I believe that if you listen to a majority of Ghanaians he is very acceptable to them as well and so those were the considerations that went into the choice of John Dramani Mahama as the running mate. We are all very happy, as you can see the National Executive Committee has unanimously endorsed the choice of John Dramani Mahama, there has been no dissent at all and everybody is very happy and excited and the party is leaving this room very invigorated, very determined to work towards victory in 2008."

Profile of Running Mate

Name: John Dramani Mahama

Age: 49yrs

Attended: Achimota Primary School

Ghana Secondary School, Tamale

University of Ghana, Legon (BA History) 1981

University of Ghana, Legon (Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies) 1986

Institute of Social Sciences, Moscow (Postgraduate Studies in Social Psychology) 1988

Worked as: Information officer, Japan Embassy in Republic of Ghana 1991-95

Sponsorship and Grants Manager, Plan International, Ghana Country Office 1995-96

Elected, 1st term Member of Parliament for Bole/Bamboi Constituency – Dec 1996

Deputy Minister of Communications April 1997- Nov 98

Minister of Communications Nov.1998-Jan 2001

Acted as Chairman of the National Communications Authority, Regulatory Agency for Telecommunications and ICT sector Nov 1998 – Jan 2001

Elected, 2nd term Member of Parliament for Bole/Bamboi Constituency – Dec 2000

Elected, 3rd term Member of Parliament for Bole/Bamboi Constituency - Dec 2004

Minority Spokesman for Communications 2001 – 2004

Minority Spokesman for Foreign Affairs 2005 to date

Member, Appointments Committee of Parliament 1997 to date

Member, Communications Committee of Parliament 1997 to date

Member, Standing Orders Committee of Parliament 1997 to date

Director of Communications NDC 2002 to date

Member, Election observer and monitoring team, Zimbabwe Presidential elections 2002

Member of the Pan African Parliament 2004 – to date

Chairman of West African Caucus, Pan African Parliament

Member, Transport, Industry, Energy, Communications, Science and Technology Committee, Pan African Parliament.

Member, European and Pan African Parliament Ad-hoc Committee on Co-operation.


MyJoyOnline