NPP Needs A Muslim Running Mate � Kwabena Agyepong

A former presidential spokesperson, Kwabena Agyepong, has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) could better its chances of winning the 2012 general elections if it chose a Muslim as a running mate to partner Nana Akufo-Addo. Mr. Agyepong, who was ex-President J. A Kufuor�s spokesman, said such pairing fosters co-existence in the country since Christianity and Islam are the two main religions in the west African country. �We want some cohesiveness in this country,� Mr. Agyepong noted. �I have always believed in the north-south ticket - that�s a Christian and a Muslim. These are the two dominant religions and we want the country to stand together so that�s the way to go. � A Christian-Muslim partnership in the race for the presidency in Ghana became very popular during the 2000 elections. The vice presidential slot has often been reserved for Muslims or those coming from the three northern regions of Ghana. Former President Kufuor paired with Alhaji Aliu Mahama whiles then candidate Professor John Evans Atta Mills stood with Martin Amidu 11 years ago. The same team contested the 2004 elections, but this time round the NDC swapped Amidu with current Foreign Affairs Minister Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni. The flagbearer of the NPP for the 2012 polls had a Muslim as a running mate in the person of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during the 2008 contest but lost to President Mills and John Mahama. President Mills will be running again with Mahama as his running mate next year as the main opposition NPP is yet to name a choice. Reports making rounds have it that Dr. Felix Nii Lantei Odartey�Wellington, a leading member of the party and former student leader (TESCON) at the University of Ghana, is said to be the choice of most people in the party.