I’m capable & ready to be Mahama’s running mate –H.E Spio-Garbrah

Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, former Minister of Education, has expressed his willingness and readiness to be the vice presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) if chosen by the flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama. However, he acknowledges that the decision ultimately rests with Mahama.

Speaking in an upcoming interview with TV3’s Keminni Amanor monitored by African Editors, Dr. Spio-Gabrah was asked if he could be considered for the vice presidential position. In response, he revealed that former Presidents, including Rawlings and Mills, have told him that he has the capability and readiness for the role. Ultimately, he asserts that it is up to the flagbearer to decide.

Former President John Mahama has previously stated that he will announce his running mate for the 2024 general elections in February. He highlights that, according to the NDC’s constitution, the decision-making process involves the Functional Executive Committee, the Council of Elders, and himself. They will review the list of potential candidates and reach a decision together.

Mahama also acknowledges the multitude of suggestions he has received from various regions, but emphasizes that he alone cannot make the decision. The process requires collaboration and consultation with the relevant NDC bodies. He urges patience, stating that when the time is right, a decision will be made.

With his proven track record, many including Former President John Mahama, late Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and Prof. John Evans Atta Mills reposing confidence in him, the former Trade and Industry Minister H.E Ekwow Spio-Garbrah is more than capable and ready to serve as Mahama’s running mate, confident in my abilities and eager to make a positive impact alongside him.

Profile of H.E Ekwow Spio-Garbrah

Ekwow Spio-Garbrah (born 1953) is a Ghanaian politician who was the Minister for Trade and Industry from 2014 to 2017 in the Mahama administration. He was formerly the Minister of Communications, Minister of Education and Acting Minister of Mines & Energy in the Rawlings administration. He also previously served as Ghana’s ambassador to the United States and Mexico. He is a former CEO of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation.

Early career

Ekow Spio-Garbrah’s early business experience included working as a mortgage banker in New Jersey, as a sales executive with Southwestern Bell, and as chairman of the Middle East Africa Group within the international public relations firm of Hill and Knowlton in New York. In that capacity, from 1979 to 1985, he provided investment, export and tourism promotion counsel to the governments of Indonesia, Turkey, the Netherlands and Austria; financial relations advice to the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, Crédit Agricole of France, UBAF-Arab American Bank, and energy sector intelligence to OPEC.

From 1988 to 1991, Spio-Garbrah was a Corporate Relations Officer at the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank affiliate, in Washington, DC. From 1991 to 1994 he was Head of Communication at the African Development Bank, directing the bank’s global corporate and marketing communications and acting as institutional spokesman.

Ambassador to the United States

As Ambassador to the United States from 1994 to 1997, Spio-Garbrah was noted for his success in rebuilding Ghana’s image across the United States, including organising an unprecedented eight-city investment promotion programme for Ghana’s then-President H.E. Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings in the U.S. As a result, partly of the successful bilateral programmes he executed, Ghana became the first country to be visited by U.S. President Bill Clinton during his famous five-country Africa visit in 1998 and is now a recipient of the Millennium Challenge Account. President Clinton’s visit to Ghana was also followed by visits from President George Bush and Barack Obama, making it the only sub-Saharan African country to receive all three Presidents.

Minister of Communication

As a Minister of Communication of Ghana, from 1997 to 1998,[9] Spio-Garbrah initiated, developed and implemented policies and programmes that supported the increasing convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting, the internet, publishing, news media and postal services, all of which were under his supervision. Concurrently, as chairman of the National Communication Authority (NCA), he had responsibility for regulating all aspects of the telecom, Internet and broadcasting sectors. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah was also in charge of the Public Education Committee which successfully re-introduced the VAT to Ghana after a disastrous first attempt in the early 1990s had left several protesters dead. The VAT has since mobilized USD billions for Ghana’s socio-economic and infrastructure development in Ghana.

Education Minister

While Education Minister from 1998 to 2001, Spio-Garbrah was credited with the creation of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), which has since mobilized over USD Billions for educational sector infrastructure, transportation, equipment and scholarships. The GETFund law has been widely praised as one of the most transformative pieces of legislation in Africa relating to the education sector.

Minister for Trade and Industry

From 2014 to January 2017 Ekwow Spio-Grabrah served as Minister for Trade and Industry for the Republic of Ghana. In this position, he led in all aspects of national policy making and initiation of legislation for various aspects of domestic and international trade as well as promoting industry and private sector/business dialogue, and collaboration for Ghana’s competitiveness. He supervised agencies such as the Ghana Free Zones Board, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, the National Standards Authority, the National Board for Small Scale Industries and the Rural Enterprises Programme.

It is important to anchor the point that Spio-Garbrah is currently the Chairman of the African Business Centre for Developing Education (ABCDE), based in Ghana. He has also been a Chairman/CEO of several Pan-African non-governmental organizations, CEO of a church, and has held senior positions in the world of banking and financial services. He serves as chairman for Solarfi, a renewable energy company.