A senior member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kwesi Ahwoi, has conceded that he misspoke and apologised to flagbearer John Dramani Mahama and the entire NDC party over his “anything can happen” comments at a nomination party for Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman.
The former Interior Minister’s comments have been interpreted to imply that the fate that befell the late president John Evans Atta Mills, allowing his vice president to take over, could befall John Dramani Mahama if the NDC wins the presidential election in December 2024.
Mr. Ahwoi said in a statement, “I sincerely regret the wrong impression that my comment has created.”
“I concede that I misspoke on the occasion. I accept the criticisms in good faith, even though some of the criticisms arise out of a deliberate misrepresentation of my statement,” he added.
He went on to state, “It was not my intention, and never will it be my intention to pray that H.E. John Mahama does not serve his full four-year term when he wins the 2024 general elections.”
“Indeed, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, in response to my toast, pointed out the erroneous impression created by my statement and was categorical in asserting that she was certain that H.E. John Mahama will win the 2024 general elections and serve his full four-year term.
“It is unfortunate that my statement appears to have taken the shine off what was otherwise a cheerful and light-hearted occasion.
“I hereby render an unreserved and unqualified apology to H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the leadership and rank and file of the great NDC.”
He therefore called on the party to set the unfortunate incident behind them and rally behind John Mahama for victory in the 2024 elections.
“Comrades and friends, let us put this unfortunate incident behind us and unite behind our flag-bearer, the visionary Nation Builder, to rescue our beloved country in the December 2024 elections,” the statement concluded.
“Anything can happen” comments
The comments of the NDC stalwart at an event to celebrate the renomination of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman as running to John Mahama left attendees stunned. It was reported that some attendees left the gathering abruptly.
Kwesi Ahwoi, 77, proposed a toast to Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, 72, and indicated firmly that she would be Ghana’s first female vice president. The message appeared not to be harmful.
However, Mr. Ahwoi continued by urging Prof. Opoku-Agyeman to hold herself in readiness to become president, since “anything can happen”, as, indeed, it did with the passing of Professor Evans Atta-Mills, which allowed Vice-President John Mahama to take over and be sworn in to finish Mills’s unexpired term in 2012.
“John Mahama was not ready to be president at the time but nature schemed things in such a way that President Mills had to give way to John Mahama.
“Anything can happen—so, Naana, be ever prepared, as your motto says. Anything can happen and you can become the President of the Republic of Ghana,” Kwesi Ahwoi said in a video that has since gone viral.
A female voice could be heard in the background saying, “No, no, don’t pray for death!” in reaction to what was being said.