Julius Debrah is still in NDC flagbearer race; Mussa Dankwah can do all his polls – Nana Yaa Jantuah

Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah has insisted that Chief of Staff Julius Debrah remains a contender in the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2028 flagbearer race, despite his low ratings in recent opinion polls.

She argues that the contest will be determined by grassroots support and delegates’ choices rather than polling figures alone.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Madam Jantuah said the dynamics on the ground could differ significantly from what opinion polls suggest.

She drew on her experience contesting for the position of General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), saying her eventual victory came despite her opponent’s visibility in the media.

“I remember when I was contesting the general secretary for CPP; I was against a formidable candidate, Kabila, and when he was on the radio and TV in Accra, I was on the ground. At the end, I won,” she said.

She maintained that Julius Debrah could similarly benefit from grassroots engagement, despite his position in the polls conducted by Global InfoAnalytics, led by Executive Director Mussa Dankwah.

“Mussa Dankwah can do all his polls, but Julius Debrah is pivotal in the race,” she added.

Madam Jantuah also cited the New Patriotic Party’s internal elections, arguing that outcomes can defy expectations based on public declarations or perceived popularity.

“Look at the NPP election: Kojo Bamba, who was saying he wanted to be third vice chair, emerged first, so it should tell you the dynamics on the ground. “Polls don’t vote,” she said.

As the NDC is preparing for its next presidential primary ahead of the 2028 general elections, several party figures are being discussed as possible successors to President John Dramani Mahama.

In the latest Global InfoAnalytics delegate survey published on September 14, 2026, Julius Debrah polled 4%, down from 5% in July.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson led with 32%, followed by NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia with 23%. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu recorded 5%, while Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang also polled 4%. About 28% of delegates remained undecided.

The figures have placed Mr Debrah behind several potential contenders, but Madam Jantuah maintains that the polls alone should not be taken as a final indication of how the party’s eventual flagbearer contest will unfold.