Outspoken media personality Afia Pokua, widely known as Vim Lady, has refuted speculations suggesting that the late former Minister of Finance, John Kumah, was being considered as a potential running mate by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Vim Lady clarified that Kumah was not among the individuals under consideration to serve as the running mate to Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. She emphasized that the late Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ejisu constituency had never expressed any interest in assuming such a role, thus dismissing the claims as unfounded and unsubstantiated.

Addressing the issue on Okay FM, as monitored by GhanaWeb, Vim Lady emphasized that Kumah's name was not on the list of candidates being considered for the position of running mate. She reiterated that Kumah had never indicated any desire to become Dr. Bawumia's running mate, thereby urging the public to disregard such assertions.

The clarification follows widespread reports suggesting that the late deputy finance minister was being touted as a potential running mate.

In a related development, an autopsy report has ruled out poisoning as the cause of Kumah's demise.

John Kumah passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Suhum Government Hospital after a prolonged battle with illness. The autopsy results revealed that his death was not related to poisoning. Kumah, aged 45, was a highly esteemed figure within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and was viewed by certain factions within the party as a potential running mate to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Prior to his passing, Kumah had secured a resounding victory in the party’s parliamentary primaries in his constituency, positioning him to represent the constituency in the upcoming general elections. He was renowned for his multifaceted roles as an entrepreneur, preacher, and lawyer.

John Kumah previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) before venturing into parliamentary politics in 2020.

He is survived by his wife, Apostle Mrs. Lillian Kumah, and six children.

“John Kumah was never considered by Bawumia as a running mate. He was not on the list. Kumah had never spoken about his interest in becoming the running mate,” she said.