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Bernard Allotey Jacobs has rubbished the idea that a woman should become the Running Mate to the New Patriotic Party's flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

The former NDC Central Regional Chairman, discussing the prospects of the New Patriotic Party, admitted the crucial role that a suitable Running Mate would play in the victory of the party.

However, to him, Ghana is not ready for a female Running Mate.

"I don't think Ghana is ripe for a woman as a Running Mate. Ghana is not ripe for it. We haven't changed our attitude from Kwame Nkrumah's time till date. We are still the same. Ghana is not ripe for a woman as a Running Mate. We haven't changed at all; it's the same  attitude," he said during "Kokrokoo" panel discussion programme on Peace FM.

Allotey Jacobs objected to those calling on the New Patriotic Party's flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to consider choosing a female to partner him in this year's December 7 presidential elections.

He explained that "when a woman enters politics, they (Ghanaians) look at the woman from a different angle altogether," exclaiming, "our politician's terrain is very, very rough!"

"How many women MPs do you have in  Parliament?" he questioned when challenged by a panel member, Kwamena Duncan, that there are some women leaders in the House of Parliament and in other areas of political influence.

Allotey, however, hoped a day would come when Ghana would welcome females in leading roles as Running Mate but in this current dispensation, he shares little to no faith that a woman will be accepted in such a capacity.

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Running Mate

There is an ongoing contention over who should partner the New Patriotic Party's leader, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, into the December 7 presidential polls.

Some members and supporters of the party have begun lobbying for their favorite candidates to be considered for the position.

Among the notable names that have come up is Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, affectionately called 'NAPO', who is the Minister of Energy.

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, to some NPP members, bears the unique qualities of a leader whose presence on the Bawumia presidential ticket will boost the party's chances of winning this year's elections.

One of the leading members of the party who strongly believes NAPO is the right candidate is Assin Central lawmaker, Kennedy Agyapong.

“If you go to NAPO’s office, you will be marveled at the way he relates with party people. He takes care of party people. If we had 5 of his kind in the party, NPP would have been better off and far ahead of the NDC. Given the current circumstances where many of our members are despondent, selecting NAPO will be the only way to bring back the needed energy for victory in the 2024 elections”, he told NPP delegates at Bantama constituency.

Kennedy Agyapong emphasized that "the only way I will campaign for the NPP is for Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh to be named as the Running Mate…That will be the most credible ticket to beat John Mahama”.