Eastern Regional Youth Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Richard Etornam Nyarko says former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah is ideal candidate to be considered for the running mate position to Mr. John Mahama for 2024 Presidential election.
The comment by the youth organizer Richard Etornam Nyarko comes few days after Julius Debrah distanced himself from various sentiments and recommendations for him to be made running mate, that he has not expressed any intention in the position.
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast also a former Minister of Education was the running mate for John Dramani Mahama in 2020 Presidential election which saw the party defeated with 47.36% votes against 51.30% votes secured by incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo.
However speaking to Starr News at the sidelines of a general meeting by the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) at Koforidua Technical University (KTU) on Friday, the Eastern Regional youth organizer ,Richard Etornam Nyarko stated that, the youth needs someone who really understands ideology of the NDC and has the welfare of the youth at heart, as running mate.
“The youth really want to have somebody who thinks like them who stand on their side and so it will certainly not be anybody but the preferences are clear and we know that certainly President Mahama is promising us that he is coming to create jobs, he is coming because of the youth he is coming to pen down certain revolution mechanisms that will make life a meaningful one for the youth.”
He continued, “So certainly we know that he is going to be ably supported by somebody who thinks like a youth, who stands on the side of the youth somebody that is a politician enough somebody that understands the ideals of the NDC and the concerns of the youth. Yes, we cannot make the decision for President Mahama it is his decision and we believe that with all the assurances he has given to us that he is coming in on the strength of the youth certainly he is going to pick somebody who think like a youth.”
When pushed further by Starr News Eastern regional correspondent Kojo Ansah, Richard Etornam Nyarko stated that, it is the wish of the youth wing for Julius Debrah to be made running mate.
He said, apart from the competence of Julius Debrah evident by various positions held, he reflects the aspirations of the youth therefore appointing him as running mate will energize the youth in the party and Ghana at large to win power.
“We have some pictures in our minds and we believe that it will go on the side of the youth. Me as a youth I will be highly inspired if a person like Julius Debrah is mentioned”.
He said records in NDC show clearly there have been tactical changes in position of running mates which have inured to the benefit of the NDC to win power, therefore, the call of the youth is not far fetched.
“There are records to that, in 2000 President Mills of blessed memory brought Martin Amidu, in 2004 was changed with Dr. Mumuni, in 2008 it was President Mahama , there was no repetition of a running mates even though I am not trying to preempt the President but we are only trying to pick our minds and I think that if a new person is appointed as the running mate and the person is already on the grounds is fantastic for the NDC to win.
The Parliamentary Candidate for the NDC in New Juaben South,Dr.Martin Otu Offei ,a Lecturer at KTU, said the party has over the years demonstrated strong believe in the youth hence given many youth opportunity to serve , however, the party will support anyone appointed running mate for the 2024 Presidential polls.
He assured to support and revive TEIN to become a vibrant pool of human resources for the NDC to capture power.
Various speakers at the KTU TEIN branch General Meeting charged the students to work hard and create awareness about the policies of the NDC.
The speakers believe, Akuffo Addo -Bawumia led government has been monumental failure and disappointment to the youth with unprecedented corruption and incompetence in all sectors of the economy.
Lawyer Isaac Minta Larbi ,chairman of the Eastern Regional Legal team of NDC assured the youth that, all legal arsenals will be deployed to combat intimidations and arbitrary arrests by the ruling party before, during and after the elections.
Present at the event were New Juaben South Constituency Chairman Amuzu Selasie, Dr. Samuel Kwabena Ayittah (Patron, TEIN), Comrade Stephen Sawodjie, Comrade Evans Srenyame (Former Youth Organizer, Upper Manya Krobo, and Dennis Akorely, New Juaben South constituency youth organizer.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
