<<Print>>

Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has blasted those playing ethnic cards in the choice of a Running Mate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, according to STC CEO, Nana Akomea, a key member of the Vice President's campaign team, will declare his Running Mate by May this year.

Names like Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Energy Minister, former EPA Boss, Henry Kwabena Kokofu and a host of others have popped up for consideration.

However, there is a strong campaign from within the party for Dr. Bawumia to select a Running Mate from the Ashanti Region.

The argument is that Bawumia being a Northerner needs an Asante to partner him for the political chemistry in the New Patriotic Party to work.

But Kwesi Pratt is against this political trend, stressing ethnicity should play no vital role in the selection of a Running Mate.

"If you pick an Asante, how does that resolve the economic problems confronting us? How does it bring down the inflation? How does that improve the value of the cedi?"

"If you are from the Eastern Region and love your country and have a vision to help in the development of the country and you and the presidential candidate are compatible...why not? Why should your coming from the Eastern Region be a qualification?", he questioned.

He advised the Vice President to choose a person who can complement his vision.

"He should look for competence. He should look for people with party history. He should select from among those who are able to do the work and stop those regionalism, ethnicity and so forth. It is all nonsensical", he said on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning programme.