The race for the national executive contests of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is warming up with the fight to watch being that of the National Chairman slot, where the incumbent General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, is poised to challenge Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the current National Chairman.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah, has been at his current position since 2005 and has won two elections for the NDC, as well as recorded two defeats and many feel it is about time for him to climb up to the national chairmanship and free the space for younger, more energetic and hungrier individuals to be chief administrators of the opposition party which is seeking to win the 2024 general election.
Already, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, a former Minister of Agric and an ex-Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ketu South constituency and onetime Propaganda Secretary for the NDC, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, a former Minister for Youth and Sports and the Deputy General Secretary, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, are all lining up to succeed Mr Asiedu Nketiah, who is yet to declare his intentions for the impending contest.
But, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, has thrown a challenge to persons seeking to contest him in his quest to retain the National Chairman of the NDC.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, a former Local Government Minister in Atta-Mills administration, is certain of victory, even if Asiedu Nketia, decides to contest him, he is unperturbed.
He argued that he is confident delegates of the party, will renew his mandate based on his sterling performance in the last four years.
“I know everyone has a talent in the party, and my talent is that I am a party builder. I build the youth and give some opportunities to rise through the ranks of the party. The party is experiencing transformation and revolution under my leadership. Let me say that I will defend my title and retain my seat. In spite of whoever comes up against me, I will defend and retain my seat,” he told the host of Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV, Kwesi Parker-Wilson.
The former Minister of Local Government, also cautioned the party to tread cautiously, insisting that unity among the rank and file will cushion the NDC in its quest to snatch victory from the NPP.
“What we need now as a party is not flexing of muscles. I am not saying that competition is not good, but we must tread cautiously and protect the unity and cohesiveness of the party. When you are in opposition and you don’t have money, what you need is unity, and unity is strength,” he added.
In the view of the NDC chairman, the party has become more attractive under his leadership.
He also likened himself to Jesus Christ when he was asked by his disciples whether he was the Messiah, adding that delegates must not look any further than him, as he is prepared to take the party to the promised land.
He charged the supporters not to change the team that turned around the fortunes of the party after it suffered the humiliating political defeat in 2016.
“I liken myself to Christ when he was asked by the disciple if he is the Messiah. Jesus made the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, what more do you want to see? I am the National Chairman of the party. The party was in disarray due to our humiliating defeat in the 2016 election. It wasn’t attractive at the time but I played a key role together with my team to turn the fortunes of the party during the 2020 elections.
“Under my leadership, we have a hung parliament, that’s not all. We also have a Speaker from our party. This has never happened before, so if you are looking for the Messiah in the NDC, look no further than Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo,” he told Kwesi Parker-Wilson.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, also added that but for the use of state-sponsored security personnel, the NDC would have won more parliamentary seats in the 2020 elections including Techiman South, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Zabzugu, Essikado Ketan, among others.
He further argued that the party is “experiencing revolution and transformation” under his watch and that he has what “it takes to bring the NDC to power again.”
He also believes that together with his team, he managed to snatch seats that have never been won by the NDC in a long time, citing Tema East and Ayensuano.
This, he insisted, demonstrates competence and for which reason he urged the party supporters to renew his mandate to serve for another four years.
The party’s timetable approve by the National Executive Committee had mentioned the following as the programme of activity the NDC;
1. Limited branch registration: May to June 2022.
2. Branch elections: June to July 2022
3. Ward Elections- August
4. Constituency Conference: Sept 2022
5. Regional Conference October 2022
6. National Congress November 2022
Please Take Note
• All newly created Branches shall have new Branch Executives
• Only members of a branch who registered by 2018 can contest
• All members with their names on the branch register can vote
