National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, says the party’s decisive victory in the 2024 general elections was partly the result of deliberate and sometimes uncomfortable reforms to its parliamentary leadership—changes he insists were essential to strengthening the party’s electoral machinery.
In 2023, the NDC undertook a major reshuffle of its parliamentary front bench, replacing the entire Minority leadership team led by Haruna Iddrisu. The restructuring, communicated to Parliament on January 23, 2023, saw Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson appointed Minority Leader, with Emmanuel Armah‑Kofi Buah taking over as Deputy Minority Leader. Kwame Agbodza became Minority Whip, supported by Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyo Ghansah as First and Second Deputy Whips.
Speaking in Tamale in a video sighted by Citi News on Friday, May 22, Mr. Nketiah said the political climate ahead of the 2024 polls demanded bold strategic decisions. He warned at the time that without refreshing what he called the party’s “forward line” in Parliament, the NDC risked losing the election.
“New things were emerging and I said that we have to change the forward line of Parliament otherwise it will be difficult for us to win the election,” he said.
He explained that as party chairman, he had to assume the role of “coach” heading into the elections—even when former President John Dramani Mahama initially disagreed with the proposed changes. His mandate, he said, required him to take responsibility for electoral strategy, including difficult leadership decisions.
The shake‑up triggered internal tensions and public speculation, with some interpreting the move as personal conflict within the party. Mr. Nketiah dismissed such claims, insisting the decision was purely strategic and not an attempt to sideline long‑serving members.
“There was hell and people started thinking that somebody who has been my friend for more than 20 years has suddenly become my enemy,” he said.
After the NDC’s victory, he said he advised President Mahama to ensure experienced figures such as Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak were not excluded from governance. Both were later appointed to senior government roles, a development Mr. Nketiah said helped reinforce party unity.
Reflecting on the election outcome, he described the 2024 results as one of the NDC’s strongest performances in the Fourth Republic.
“We went into the election, and we won. Have you seen such victory in Ghana since the beginning of the Fourth Republic?” he said.
He urged party members to resist internal factionalism, warning against attempts to create camps around individual leaders.
“If you are forming groups—Haruna groups, Asiedu Nketiah groups—that is not our case. The NDC will continue to be one,” he stressed.
Mr. Nketiah emphasised that while disagreements are normal in politics, unity remains essential for sustaining electoral success and effective governance.
— Citi Newsroom
