Polster and editor, Ben Ephson says this is not the time for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to fight for supremacy.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Ephson indicated that it is too early for the NDC to be competing among themselves for power. He rather suggested they look at how to win in the upcoming election.
“The founder of the party when he was alive, the party had issues. This is not the time to fight for supremacy as to who is holding the party. When he was there, there were about five or so contestants for flagbearership. And I am sure they will be better off with NDC in power than the opposition.
“The party did very well than expected from my perspective. They must find out why they attracted more floating voters and how they could have done better. This is not the time to try and settle personal scores. Many people have started jostling already post John Mahama but that’s not what they should be doing now.”
Ben Ephson
His comments come on the back of a recent meeting held by the leadership in two separate regions. Some party leaders met Volta region to review their performances and the way forward whiles another set of members met in Tema to speak on challenges facing the party.
In their quest to get power, he indicated that, the floating voters of the NDC estimated to be about 30% will bring them to power. He said whiles the NDC is looking at the way forward, they must bear in mind the need to improve upon the party’s shrinking voters.
Select flagbearer two years before election
He also advised that they need to select their flagbearer two years ahead of time. However, he said if they want to use the reorganization process to find out who controls the party, “they should forget it.”
Touching on the reason the NDC garnered enough votes in the last election, he attributed it John Mahama unifying all his supporters. However, he averred that one of the reasons for the NDC’s loss in 2016 was due to the breakage between the party itself and the government.
“When Mahama won the flagbearer, one of the first things he did was that anybody who wants to support him must join NDC. And they must not be forming support groups for Mahama. And I think that’s what made the party do well.
“I think that in the aftermath of the election, talking to people in the party, I think what they are looking at is could they have done better in 2020? And then looking forward to 2024.”
Ben Ephson
Mr Ephson revealed that, one of NDC’s weakness is that the grassroot members are not fully involved.
“There is a bit of weakness at the grassroot level. I mean if there is any form or attempt to take control of the party it will not be possible. Given the age manner and the population, many of the people are hardcore supporters.”
Ben Ephson
He further urged the party to bring the grassroot members to the fore front and also encourage executives to be more interactive in their strong holds.
“Because If their main opponent is going through a transition, they can take advantage of that.”
