NPP losing Greater Accra? Oboshie to the rescue

The race is on to choose a running mate for New Patriotic Party Presidential Candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. And, while many names have been mentioned as potential running mates, our checks indicate the party leadership and the Candidate are working on a shortlist being kept closely to their chests.

The choice of a running mate is not one to be made lightly, especially in this year's epic electoral battle. Whoever is chosen must bring in assets to complement the flagbearer.

With some polls, particularly those conducted by Accra daily Dispatch, indicating that the ruling party is losing its touch in the Greater Accra Region, many party stalwarts are calling for the running mate to be a Ga, with Tourism Minister Oboshie Sai Cofie getting the nod ahead of a host of others.

Her supporters say what the NPP needs in this year's crucial election is a popular woman whose appeal cuts across the nation and can ensure the Greater Accra Region remains friendly hunting grounds for the NPP.

As a native Ga, she is seen as woman of substance who can increase the fortunes of the party in the region and the rest of the regions nationwide.

Having perfaormed well in her various positions in the NPP government, the Oboshie for Vice advocates say she is more than qualified to serve as a running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo.

The former Information and National Orientation Minister is one of the most well-known faces of the Kufuor administration, rising through the ranks as Special Assistant to the President, to Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Minister for Information, to substantive Minister last year.

She is credited with making the ministry a more open and accessible source of information, and could be spotted at all hours visiting one media house or the other, as well as interacting with people on the streets.

On one of what was termed her 'Walkabouts,' Kwesi Pratt, Managing Editor of The Insight and critic of the NPP administration, expressed delight when the Minister visited his office and commended her for recognising the country's media irrespective of their philosophy and political affiliations.

On the whole, she was seen among media practitioners as more open and accessible as former Information Minister than most of her predecessors.

But Mrs Sai Cofie's contribution to the growth of the NPP predates the Kufuor administration, her supporters point out. For instance, she was a key member of the NPP campaign team in 2000 and again in 2004, deriving and designing themes and slogans that helped win both elections.

She played a major and effective role in deciding themes and campaign slogans that helped win both 2000 and 2004 polls.

The potential running mate, daughter of Professor F T Sai, advisor to the President on health issues, and Florence Sai (nee Dzanii) was a major fundraiser for the Kufuor campaigns in 2000 and 2004. Both parents are current members of the NPP Council of Elders.

Born on April 6, 1953, Florence Oboshie Adjoa Sai Cofie has a degree in Sociology from the University of Ghana, Legon (1974).