Joshua Akamba, former National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a stern call to government appointees, urging them not to neglect the party’s grassroots supporters.
Akamba emphasised the urgent need for appointees to focus on holding the party’s local base together to ensure the NDC remains stable and unified.
He noted that many party faithful currently feel disappointed and hopeless, alleging that some officials have blocked their phone numbers, denied them access and ignored their concerns.
According to him, this type of neglect was a major factor in the party’s previous electoral defeat to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He argued that when the grassroots feel abandoned, they lose the motivation to work and campaign for the party.
Speaking on the programme As It Is in Ghana on Rainbow Radio (87.5FM Ghana and 92.4FM UK), Akamba said he has made a principled decision to focus on strengthening the party’s base.
He warned that the party would soon begin to “name and shame” appointees who refuse to engage with the grassroots after assuming office.
Akamba stressed that the strength of the party is being undermined by officials who have become inaccessible.
“That is why I am issuing this warning before we go into another election. I saw it in 2016. After we lost that election, it was extremely difficult to mobilise the grassroots. It was one of the mistakes that led to our defeat. Many of our grassroots worked on empty stomachs to help bring the party back to power.
“I can confidently say that I did my best as a party leader to mobilise the grassroots without any funding from the party. Many of us who are today appointees should remember the struggle and the challenges we faced. They should treat the grassroots with respect,” he said.
Akamba reminded those in power that they, too, emerged from the grassroots and should never lose sight of their origins. He advised appointees to be transparent with supporters about the challenges facing the government rather than ignoring them.
“My advice to our appointees is that they should engage the grassroots and explain the challenges they are facing. It is not good to ignore them. It is better to engage them and let them know what we are confronted with.
“We have all agreed that the NPP, while in power, damaged almost every sector of our economy. As a responsible government, the NDC is restoring hope and addressing the crisis left behind. There is hope.
“The longer the NDC remains in power, the more opportunities we can create for people. The NDC cannot employ everyone at the moment; however, we can continue working together to ensure the grassroots receive the needed attention,” he stated.
In a direct appeal to party members, he urged them to remain resilient and trust the government’s efforts to stabilise the country.
“Do not lose hope. Remain strong and trust the government to stabilise this country. We can only console and encourage them. There is no government like the NDC. But if we begin to listen to the lies of the NPP, it will set us back.
“The grassroots go beyond party members; it includes professors, lawyers and other senior officials. I am appealing to appointees to engage with the grassroots and not ignore them,” he added.
