An event to celebrate the nomination of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the running mate to John Dramani Mahama at the Labone Office of the Church Street Cabal, left invited guest including stalwarts of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in a state of sorrow and confusion.
Proposing a toast to Prof Naana Jane, one of the Ahwoi brothers, Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi declared that Mahama’s second time running mate will be the first woman vice president with a dirge that shocked many.
This is seen a recent widely circulated video, in which Mr. Ahwoi triggered an outrage and stoked fire within the NDC when he added that Professor Naana should get ready to be president of Ghana since what happened to President Mills in 2012 can happen to John Mahama should he win the 2024 presidential poll.
“…President Mills was the president but nature schemed things in such a way that President Mills had to give way to John Mahama. Anything can happen, so Naana be ever prepared like your motto says, be ready, anything can happen and you can become the President of the republic of Ghana,” Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi declared.
Professor John Atta Mills died on July 24, 2012 as sitting president under some bizarre circumstances that left his baffled family members still requesting for his autopsy report after almost 12 years of his passing.
Mr. John Mahama who was the Vice President was immediately sworn into office as President following the passing of his boss.
With this worrying background, many NDC faithful have become edgy that John Mahama may suffer the fate of Atta Mills following the brazen comments by Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi.
NDC kingpins present at the event were bewildered that even the presence Prof Mills’ son Kofi Mills and John Mahama’s niece Joyce Bawa did not restraint Mr. Ahwoi from making such insensitive remarks.
Supreme leader
Earlier, THE CUSTODIAN had learnt that since Ato Ahwoi’s incapacitation, the lot has fallen on Kwame Peprah, aka the Supreme Leader, as acting chairman of Churchstreet cabal.
In his opening remarks, Kwame Peprah was also reported to have boasted of the power and influence of the group in the NDC and described Churchstreet as the “movers and shakers” of the main opposition party.
According to him, the group would influence the direction of the NDC for a very long time since they had groomed some young people to take over from them.
“To most of those present, it became clear that the intense lobbying for the selection of Naana Jane by Ato Ahwoi and the Churchstreet group is all about power play and relevance and had nothing to do with strengthening the party, elections strategy, effective governance and the future of the NDC as a party,” a top NDC insider bemoaned.
Uncertainty over Mills’ death
The timing of Mr. Ahwoi’s’ controversial statement, amidst the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Atta-Mills’ death, has exacerbated the frustration and scepticism among NDC loyalists.
Many have interpreted his insinuation as potentially motivated by hidden agendas, including suspicions of retaliation against Mahama.
There is a growing belief among some party members that the Ahwoi brothers harbour ulterior motives against Mr. Mahama, further deepening the rift within the NDC.
This sentiment is reinforced by the belief among certain party members that the Ahwois, once regarded as influential figures, particularly during the Atta-Mills administration, have seen their sway notably decline.
This decline in influence coincides with Mahama’s tenure, suggesting that as Mahama consolidated his authority within the party, he ushered in a new era where members of the old guard were relegated to the background.
Kwesi Ahwoi’s assertion, therefore, may reflect the frustration felt by NDC members who perceive themselves as sidelined under Mahama’s leadership.
In Naana, they see an opportunity to recalibrate the balance of power within the party, potentially regain the influence and prominence they once held, and reshape the party’s trajectory according to their interests.
The consequence for the NDC could be further internal divisions and conflicts, potentially weakening its cohesion and effectiveness in the upcoming election.
