If popular, Mahama should run as an independent candidate. Solomon Nkansah

Solomon Nkansah, a dedicated member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has challenged former President John Dramani Mahama to compete for the presidency in Ghana as an independent candidate if he believes the NDC is less popular and needs him more.

Mr. Nkansah disagrees with the assertions of a number of NDC loyalists that John Mahama would be the finest candidate should the NDC win elections again, particularly in 2024.

He is however challenging Mr. Mahama and those who believe the NDC cannot afford to lose him to run as an independent candidate if he will receive the same number of ballots as he did under the NDC in 2012, 2016, and even 2020.

He contends that Mahama's political popularity in Ghana was due to the NDC brand and not to his own efforts.

MyNewsGh.com monitored Mr. Nkansah's interview on Ultimate 106.9 FM in Kumasi with Cup of Tea program host Julius Caesar Anadem.

People claim that he is the most marketed candidate, so does that mean that the NDC is not marketed? The NDC is not a trademark? In the year 2000, when the NDC party lost, even in the runoff, it received 44% or so of the vote, so those who are making these statements out of self-interest must be aware that the NDC is popular and well accepted, and that whoever you present to the Ghanaian electorate with the proper marketing strategy, standing, structure, and track record, the NDC will not suffer at the polls.

This will be detrimental to the NDC. Once upon a time, I advised all those who propagated this agenda that if the brand (Mahama) was well-marketed and marketable, popular and more well-known than the NDC party, then it should seek independence. "Whoever maintains that the previous candidate is so popular that the NDC cannot introduce a new candidate, then those products have no need for the NDC," he said.

"Everyone will know whether or not he is more popular than the NDC. Everyone became famous as a result of the opportunities NDC provided. In some instances, individuals have run as independent candidates for parliament and triumphed across both parties; therefore, why is Mahama not running as an independent presidential candidate?"

"Let's engage in a popularity contest and see how Mahama's popularity affects people's willingness to canvass for NDC votes and their daydreaming"

People claim the man is too popular, he is too popular, and he has lost two elections; therefore, avoid discussing his popularity. "The winner is the most popular person," he noted.