Linda Akrasi Kotey
26 August 2008
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) vice presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, says that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) propaganda about him overshadowing the flagbearer, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills does not bother him the least.
He said the objective of this propaganda, was to get him to slow down the blistering campaign he has embarked upon, and also take his foot off the accelerator in the discharge of his duties.
Speaking in an interview with The Chronicle, Mr. Mahama stated that since his election as running mate, the NPP has been bothered with the successful campaigns he has conducted across the three northern regions, Brong Ahafo Region, and his continuation into the other regions.
He said as a result of this, the NPP propaganda mouthpieces, and senior members, have resorted to creating an impression that he, as the running mate, was overshadowing his presidential candidate.
Mr. Mahama explained that he was on the same wavelength with Prof. Mills, and that they meet regularly, with Prof. Mills expressing satisfaction with the campaign he was running, to ensure victory for their party in the December elections.
According to him, as a more youthful person, naturally it was to be expected that he would cover more ground than the presidential candidate. "That is supposed to be expected," he stressed.
He further emphasised that everywhere he has gone, the campaign and message has been made on behalf of Prof. Atta Mills and the NDC, and not on his own.
John Mahama added that Prof. Mills had made extensive campaign trips across the country, and in recent times had visited the Western and Central regions on six different occasions.
The running mate, who is to commence a one- week tour of the Eastern Region, next week, said he would also cover the remaining five regions, over the next six weeks, with a focused and intensive campaign.
He mentioned that the relationship between him and Prof. Mills would reflect the relationship between the president and vice, under a new NDC government.
He added that unlike the NPP, which has run a government with a marginalised Vice President, in which the Chief of Staff and some ministers wield more power than the Vice President, the NDC would run a government with an active vice president, who works closely with the president.
On the election of Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, as running mate to the NPP flagbearer, Mr. Mahama reiterated that he had congratulated Bawumia on his nomination to the new office.
On the ongoing comparism in the media, between him and Dr. Bawumia, the NDC running mate said the exercise was petty and uninformed, because the people of Ghana would be the ultimate judges of which team is best to lead the country over the next four years.
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