Translating Enthusiasm Into Reality: A Clarion Call by Prof. Jane Naana

Great expectation awaits Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman Vice-presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Her supporters say they can't wait to see the candidate and their flagbearer given the political mandate in the upcoming December presidential election.

Would she go down in Ghana’s history as the first elected female Vice-President?

One elite group that has come out to show marked support and enthusiasm to back the academic is the female parliamentarians in Ghana, particularly the Minority Women Caucus.

According to them they're looking up to the nominee and young ladies are also looking up to her to represent their interest in the governance of the country.

"The journey to the high office will be arduous and fraught with many obstacles but we encourage you to remain focused, strong and courageous until we make that history of electing the first female Vice-President of this country," said Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe Ghansah leader of the Minority Women Caucus.

The group made the statement when they paid a courtesy call on her following her selection as former President Mahama's running mate.

So how would this enthusiasm translate into reality?

As the seemingly pressure begins to swirl the accomplished educationist has asked her supporters to turn the enthusiasm into reality.

"I urge that we turn that enthusiasm into reality and we all know we can, yes we can," remarked the vice presidential candidate.

For now it appears those in the thick of affairs aren't getting ahead of themselves as a measure to minimise or at best avoid any political gaffes, observes this writer.

In fact that happens to be the case of the NDC running mate. She seems to be taking baby steps to navigate her way through the rough political terrain to help her stay unscathed.

"Today, I will not go ahead of myself," the former education minister stated.But how far can she go and would she turn the left cheek if her opponents or critics throw the dirty blows? That remains to be seen.

Caution

When you're clad with enthusiasm and goodwill you stay focused and play it safe, until the church brings itself and you've the right things to say at the right time.

"Today, I'll not go ahead of my self. I just want to thank you and I want to recognize the work you have been doing.The time will come for me to make my maiden statement and maybe we will have a sense of where we are coming from," said Prof Opku-Agyemang.

According to her, the feeling of excitement that has greeted her nomination as the vice presidential candidate of the NDC flagbearer, ex-President John Dramani Mahama, “is not lost on any of us.”

Mr. Mahama made a surprise choice of his former Education Minister as his running mate (one not most favoured) on Monday, July 6, 2020, amid hopes that she could help him appeal to women voters.

The 69-year-old politician said this:

“There will be time for us to talk about many things. We know there are many things that we have to get done. When we talk about the youth, we are talking about the men and women. The time will come for me to make my maiden statement, and maybe we will have a sense of where we are coming from.”

She also made this remark about the small group in the legislature. "The Minority in Parliament is like the minority of the minorities and look at what they do. They get things done because they are women."

The NDC running mate further used the opportunity to tell ‘kayayies’ not to allow themselves to be disrespected because they also play a role in society.

The Leader of the Minority Women Caucus, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe Ghansah, said the NDC MPs had visited her “to officially congratulate you on your selection as the running mate to the flagbearer of the great (NDC) party, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.”

“As women, words cannot describe our joy that finally a major political party in Ghana and a highly possible party to form the next government has selected an accomplished female running mate like your good self for the upcoming election,” she added.

According to her, although it is said that what men can do women can do better, women always have to quadruple the efforts of men before they are recognized.

“Therefore, we are not surprised at your selection because of your hard work in both private and public life. We have no doubt that bringing on board your rich experience in leadership and intellect, you will deliver to the admiration of all as Vice-President should Ghanaians give the NDC the mandate to govern the country in December,” she pointed out.

“Please bear in mind that we as female parliamentarians are looking up to you, young ladies are looking up to you as a role model, and all women of this country are looking up to you to represent their interest in the governance of this country,” she concluded.

By Gordon Offin-Amaniampong