Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has hailed the appointment of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as John Mahama’s running mate for the 2024 election, stating that it underscores the principles of affirmative action.
The announcement of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s retention as Mahama’s running mate was made on March 7, 2024, at the NDC’s Adabraka office, and has been positively received within the party.
Speaking on TV3’s Ghana Tonight program, Mustapha Gbande praised the decision by the party’s leadership, asserting that the ‘John and Jane’ ticket represents the strongest pairing for the NDC heading into the December 7 elections.
He highlighted the significance of having a woman on the ticket, stating that it aligns with advocacy for affirmative action.
Gbande emphasized the importance of acknowledging the majority female population in Ghana and stressed that the current economic challenges facing the nation necessitate a leadership that reflects the realities and struggles of the people.
Furthermore, Gbande criticized the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government for shirking responsibility for the country’s economic woes and argued that the NDC, led by John Mahama and Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, offers a better alternative.
Regarding the Affirmative Action Bill in Ghana, Gbande noted that despite its significance in addressing gender equality and the gender imbalance in the public sector, the bill has yet to be passed into law, even though it was first drafted in 2011.
He urged for its implementation to ensure the empowerment and inclusion of marginalized groups in society.