Kwabena Nketiah Antwi, a member of the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Communication Team, has humorously advised Chief of Staff Julius Debrah to open a gym instead of hosting weekly health walks amid speculation about Debrah’s potential bid for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership.
Speaking to media, Antwi suggested lightheartedly that Debrah’s current strategy of Saturday health walks seen as an effort to mobilize supporters is insufficient for fitness or political gains.
“Just walking one day within the week won’t yield the needed results,” Antwi remarked. “Opening a gym would be more effective for health benefits and grassroots mobilization.” His comments reference widespread rumors that Debrah, who coordinates daily operations for President Mahama’s ministers, is positioning himself for the NDC’s future leadership contest.
Antwi went on to analyze a potential rivalry between Debrah and former NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, framing it as a clash of political bases. “Julius manages the upper echelons daily, while Asiedu Nketia connects with the grassroots. Don’t be shocked if their contest becomes intense.” He recalled Asiedu Nketia’s past dismissal of challengers to John Mahama, noting the irony: “George Boateng was called ‘mad’ for contesting Mahama now it’s [Nketia’s] turn.”
The remarks highlight early jostling within the NDC ahead of its 2028 succession plans, given President Mahama’s term-limited status. Antwi’s teasing critique underscores the intersection of political image-building and physical mobilization tactics in Ghana’s evolving campaign landscape.