Johnson Asiedu Nketiah of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) appears to be in a race for his political relevance, as he seeks to climb up to become the opposition party’s National Chairman after almost 1- years serving as its General Secretary.
He is beginning a nationwide campaign tour to address party members in the regions and constituencies, and will be confronted with rendering account on his stewardship, vis-à-vis the present state of the party, as well as what he would do differently when elected national chairman compared to the incumbent, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who has also been accused of not been around at the party’s most critical moments.
Amongst other things, word has gone round the regions and constituencies that he is nursing a presidential ambition which has gotten him detached from the day-to-day running of the NDC, despite being the administrative head of the party.
The leadership of the NDC, has reduced it to a platform of constant rhetoric, but sourcing for funds, mass mobilization, training, deployment and coordination, have been missing in its scheme of things.
Collective action has also been missing and it is not uncommon to find party executives, especially at national and regional levels running their individual projects and sourcing for funds for those activities in the name of the party, but these funds mostly go unaccounted.
The party’s office is mostly deserted as workers often times complain about not getting the little allowances that come to them, while Mr Asiedu Nketiah, is on the Parliamentary Service Board, where he is said to be pocketing a whooping GHC30, 000 as monthly allowance.
The state of affairs of the NDC confirms what the late Vincent Asiseh, a former National Press Secretary of the party said over 21 years ago, that the party is only an “electoral machine” oiled every four years and ridden into a presidential and Parliamentary race, and be forgotten thereafter.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah, is embarking on the tour, following the launch of his Campaign at the KAMA Conference Centre in Accra last Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
His campaign has listed courage, fearlessness, honesty and trustworthy leadership, as his core attributes promising not buckle under pressure from the NPP.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah, is being portrayed as a leader who does not leave party activists in the field to suffer alone but stays with them in the trenches to fight for the cause of NDC.
Interestingly, the Minority in Parliament has since distanced itself from its Deputy Whip’s endorsement of Johnson Asiedu Nketiah .
In a statement, the Minority, said the Deputy Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim’s claim that the NDC caucus in Parliament was supporting Mr. Asiedu Nketiah was untrue.
It said the leadership of the Caucus never met on the matter “and have not taken any decision on the matter.”
It also said the Caucus has not met and has not taken any decision on any of the candidates contesting any position within the Party
The Minority added that “the Leadership and the Caucus has no position on any of the candidates vying for the respective positions in the Party.”
The Minority also said Mr Ibrahim, who is also the Banda MP, has apologized to the NDC Caucus for the comments.
“We accordingly urge our rank and file and the public to disregard the purported statement made during the launch.”
The Chairman of the Council of Elders of the NDC, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, has also in a statement said that “at its meeting on Wednesday 26th October 2022, the Council of Elders of the NDC discussed among others the issue of a national chairmanship contest between the party’s current National chairman and General secretary which has engaged the attention of the rank and file, supporters and well-wishers of our party.
“The Council of Elders respects people’s individual freedoms and aspirations to contest any position in the party in accordance with the Party’s Constitution. The Council however cautioned that the conduct of the campaign should not shift attention from the economic hardships facing Ghanaians and the overall dismal state of affairs under the ruling NPP Government.
“The meeting therefore urged the two principal officers of the party, the national chairman and the General Secretary, to reflect soberly on the situation and be mindful of the overall national interest and the toils of our rank and file over the years to make the party strong, viable and ready to assume the reins of government in 2024.
“In the interest of party cohesion, internal discipline and long-term stability, the Council urges all contestants to regional and national positions, especially the incumbent national chairman and General Secretary to be circumspect in their campaigns by adhering to ground rules discussed and agreed upon. These include the use of decorous language, refrain from media attacks, breach of confidentiality and misrepresentations of decisions taken in relation to past actions of leadership.
“It is important and expected of the top hierarchy and all concerned that they respect the Party Constitution and the rules and guidelines they themselves set in the conduct of internal elections. They should be the first to uphold party discipline.
“At the time when the party should be getting itself ready for election 2024 we need nothing other than internal cohesion and togetherness. The country and rank and file of the party expect nothing else.
