Akufo-Addo To Choose Running Mate From The North

Credible information available to the New Statesman newspaper indicates that the Vice Presidential Candidate of Nana Akufo-Addo, for the 2012 presidential race is likely to see no change, at least, in terms of the geographical background of the candidate. Since 1992, with the exception of the �Great Alliance� of 1996, the New Patriotic Party has chosen all its presidential running mates from the northern part of the country. Not only that, the NPP ticket has also respected the Christian and Muslim dominant make-up of the Ghanaian population. While, strong arguments have been advanced to get the 2012 Presidential Candidate of the NPP to break with tradition and pick a running mate from the southern half of the country, where the overwhelming majority of the party�s support base is, the New Statesman can confirm that the leadership of the party is in no mood to experiment. While the issue of the running mate hailing from the north is considered a done deal, what is not clear, however, is whether or not Nana Akufo-Addo will maintain the religious balance of his ticket and repeat his Christian-Muslim preference of 2008 for 2012. It appears there is still space for a strong persuasive case for a northern Christian, a source close to the candidate intimidated. He, however, insisted that it must be a very strong persuasive argument for a double Christian ticket. The New Statesman can further disclose that Nana Akufo-Addo is likely to announce his running mate much earlier than the impression given earlier by the party. The paper promises to keep its readers updated on developments on that front. Nana Akufo-Addo left Accra Friday afternoon for the Upper West and Northern Regions to continue with his Listening Campaign. Incidentally, there are strong lobbying forces from the two Regions for his choice of 2012 Vice Presidential Candidate.