The eldest daughter of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has said she considers it an honour if her name indeed pops up among the list of potential running mates to the National Democratic Congress’ presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections.
Even before former President John Mahama was re-elected as the NDC’s flagbearer for the 2024 elections, there had been discussions about who his potential running mate would be.
The discussions have largely been triggered by the fact that some political analysts have ruled out the possibility of Mr Mahama maintaining his 2020 running mate, Prof. Jana Naana Opoku Agyemang.
The arguments often raised against the former Education Minister’s selection are that, although she was the first woman to be appointed by the party to that position, she may not be active for the role the second time, and will not bring much to the John Mahama candidature.
As John Mahama ages, analysts also believe that he may need a more energetic and younger running mate to do a lot more work as a running mate and as a Vice President should the NDC win the 2024 election.
One of the names that has been on the lips of a few people is the forty-five year old Member of Parliament for Klotte Korle constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.
The young medical doctor, who’s seeking a third term in parliament, has often avoided commentary on the matter.
But for many who see her as a suitable candidate for that role if the NDC decides to maintain a woman as a running mate, they consider her age, energy, fluency and charisma as her trump card.
In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen on Monday, September 4, the medical doctor cum activist, responded to the supposed mention of her name as a potential running mate.
She said, “I am sure people are looking at a lot of different factors and perhaps coming to that conclusion. Flattered? I don’t know if I will quite say that. I think it’s an interesting responsibility because what it does is perhaps to remind me to maintain a certain level of integrity in what I do because these things matter. I guess I am honoured by the fact that the name keeps coming up if that’s the case.
“But ultimately, I won’t be the one to appoint myself. So, I think beyond that I don’t know how to respond to this question “she noted.
Asked by the host, Osei Bonsu [Alias OB] whether she will respond to the call to be a running mate, she said “let’s not be preemptive and premature on this matter.”
“Look, at the end of the day, when we are called to duty, we take it up. And it’s not the case of shying away from any chance to serve the party and ultimately Ghana. And for now where I find myself is a Member of Parliament and a parliamentary candidate for the constituency [Klotte Korle], so the job before me is what I am focusing on “she noted.
